The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-09-05

?"
A gleeful little laugh came from Mary's
lips.
"lndeed can. may not cook to suit you
but I can learn.
Mrs. Clements walked out to the huge oper
| fireplace in the kitchen where the deacon was
Smelling corn.
what dye say, deacon, keep her or not
l kind O like her looks, and the dear knows il
I'D be good lift while we're KILN, if she
couldn't do no more than set the table OF
make mush for the bread"
Take her of course, Hannah You are
hard driy, l know. Let her stop Il week OF
SO, anyhow"
So Mrs. Clements came slowly back and sal
down again.
"4ou can't get away tonight anyhow
there's snow storm been brewin' these three
days, and it's on us now, sure enough. Sec
them ere flakes fine and thick. You may as
well take your things upstairs to the west
garnet, and then come down and help me get
supper"
Then followed the directions to the west
garnet, and when she was gone Mrs. Glenn
ents turned to the deacon, and said-
81 never saw n girl before I'd trust upstairs
alone. But such us her don't steal, can tell
you that, if nothing else"
Directly she came down in a purple print
dress and white apron; her hair brushed up
from her face into Il net n narrow linen col
lar, fastened with a sailors loop of narrow rib
bon. 1t seemed as if she had life, too, so
handily she fitted in and out of the pantry
and then down the cellar. Then after the
meal she gathered the dishes in neat, quiet
way, that was perfect bliss TO old Mrs. Glenn
cnts' ears.
"Shcs determined to earn her bread, any
how, and like her turn too"
And the deacon had "taken n shine" too
One by one the days wore on the hog killing
was over and done; long strings of sausages
hung i'll fantastic rings, arranged by Mary s
deit fingers; sweet hams and shoulders were
piled away in true house wifcly manner, and
now Mary and Mrs. Clements were sitting in
the sunnydining-room, daning, patching and
mcnding
81 don't know what I'm going to do with
out you Mary l dread to see you pick up
your clothes"
A blush of pleasure oversprcad Mary's
face.
81 am SO glad you have been suited withmy
work. Indeed have tried"
at amt the work altogether though good
ness knows, you're the smartcst gal lve seen
this many Il day, As | say it amt the work,
it's you, Mary-me and the deacon"
Mary's voice trembled ut the kindness of
the old lady's voice, but she scwcd rapidly
on.
It's so uncommon lonesome since the boy
left the farm" she went on "but it's worse
since he got married. Itsccms like deserving
us altogether"
"llavc youa son! You never mentioned
him"
mo, George has gone his way, and we
must go ours. Yes, he married one of those
crack-hcadcd boardng-school people, who
can't tell the difference between Il rolling-pin
and a milk-pan"
But despite her scorn, Mrs. Clements dash
ed OIL the tears with her brown fist.
"lss his wife pretty? 81 suppose you love
her dearly"
81 don't know anything about her, and new
or want to know. He's left us for her, and
lis old folks will leave him for her, too. Mary
just turn them cakes around; seems us if
they're burning, the cakes" Mrs. Clements
was leaning on thcarm of her chair.
Mary, supposin you stop with us another
month yet anyhow. The deacon will make
it all right"
at isn't the money | care for, Mrs Glenn
ents, only wish might stay always, You
don't know how much love you"
poor George had only picked you out, what n
comfort it would be to all. But it can't he
helped now"
She sighed YEARLY, then glanced out of the
window, looked moment and then threw
down her work.
BLESS my soul, if there amt our son George
coming up the lane Deacon! deacon! George
is cOmingm
With all her mothcr-lovc rushing to her
heart she hurried out to meet him. Oh, the
welcoming, the reproachcs, the carcsscs, the
determination to love him still, despite poor
innocent little Marion! Then when the Ia
bic had been set in the next room by Mary 5
def fingers, and she had returned to her
"wcst garrett" Mrs. Clements opened her
heart
"Thercs no use talking, George, this fine,
fancy lady o yoursll never suit me Givemc
a smart girl like Mary Smith, and I'll ask no
more Come into supper now. Mary,
Mary y
She raised her voice to call the girl, when
low voice near her surprised her
"Oh, you dressed up in honor o my boy
Well, must confess / never knew you had
such Il handsome dress, and you look like II
picture with your net off, and them short,
bobbing curls! George this is Mary Smith
my"
George came through the door and glanced
carelessly at the corner where the young wo-
man stood. Then, with II cry, sprang with
outstretchcd arms to meet the little figure
that sprang into them. The deacon and Mrs
Clements now stood in speeches. amazemcnt
Then Marion, all bushes and fearful smiles
went over to the old pair and took both their
hands.
81 am Georges wife. | was SO afraid you
would never love me- so | came determined
to win if could Mother, father, may be
your daughters"
And II happier family, when they had ex-
hausted their powers of surprise, amazemcnt
and pride in the beautiful Marion never gave
| thanks over supper table