Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1880-02-20

nre- falrlelgns bndt aitoknoou,
when Efie told her story of the sick wo-
man and poor, half.naked child.
Yes. mother; aud hope you are not
hurt about it. I'm not going to ask for
any more. don't care about the pink
dress now, Ellie said, looking doubtful.
ly at her mother
Dear child, am net hurt about it,
but you were so happy when you went
of to spend yonr money
'Oh, yes, mother; but obi am hap
pier now; indeed I am. just think how
ma h my money has done.
But their names, my child; you have
not told me that.
Why, hers is Eleanor Fenton, and
Nell, her little child.
Scarcely had she uttered these words
when quick step crossed Mr.. Stewart's
room; his door opened, and without q
knock theirs, too.
Take me tothemi' Mr.. Stewart cried.
They are niine-my child aud hersi God
bless you Effie, for what You have donei
Now come with me quickly, dol
An hour had hardly passed when a
carriage rolled up to Mrs. Fairleigh's 8
door, and soon after Mr.. Stewart came
in, bearing in his arms his daughter -
Gently he placed her in bis armchair,
before The brightly burning fire, and
then turning to Effie, he said;
Will you stay and take care of them
I while speak to your inothei?'
Never in the world was woman so
taken by surprise IS Mrs. Fairleigh,
when, meeting her in the hall, Mr..
Stewart said, taking her hand and draw
ing her into her own room:
Mrs. Fairleigh, if had had cheerful
heart, 1 nhould have offered it to You
long ago. But could not think OF cast
| ing my gloom over you. Now am re-
lieyed. and will bo happy il you will just
say yes to my question-can you care
enough for me to marry me? My poor
daughter wants . mothers care. and Effie
ought to have a father, and II want
the little woman who said, only yester-
day. she would like to comfort me.
Oil did you hearg Mrs. FeiTieieh be-
gan saying, blushing like . young girl,
Yes, all--but my answer.
Yes, it,.
Yes. That's enough. Thank you, dear
Mary Mr.. Stewart said, raising her
hand TO his lips and then drawing her
nearer. 4 have felt like kiss ng you
many times. / might as we'll begin nov.
And before Mary could object, the kiss
was taken; and with a merry laugh, the
fret she bad ever heard from Mr..
stewart, he drew her with him to his
daughters side.
Here my daughter, is the mother oil
! your kind little friend, and she will very
soon, hope, be yonr mother, too
And when Mary Fairleigh was bend
ing over to kiss Eleanor, Mr.. Stewart
went and put his arm around Eftie, and
asked:
Gan you make up your mind TO vel
come me with kiss, little daughter?'
Indeed can, said little Efiis, with
warm kiss, and am Just as glad as l
can be.
Under their loving care the widowed
daughter soon grew we'll and cheerful
again; and Nell's merry laugh resounded
throughout the house.
The night Of the party Effie stayed al
home. She forgot all about it in the ex-
citement OF that day on which Mr..
Stewart found his daughter, and the
next also. Then the third day it was to
be, and then it YVES too late to get ready.
How happy she wasl How happy
they both werel The party was quite
forgotten until after II o'clock, when
Willie started up, saying;
They will never forgive me. But how
I hate to go. May / come tomorrow
VIII you take walk? And in the even.
ing we will go TO the opers, and-I am
selfish enough TO make you promise that
while am here you will go with no one
else2 Say, Ellie, promise ne that and
/ will SO away contented to night and
happy enough, tooi
OF course she promised, AMI was Rsad
enough to do it. And, with such be
4 ginninE. RemaT know before week had
iAsasd p = AS pHesalHsa aose Than that.
~ a.sFsi' aSfI|>a ~ vie % lhsil