The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-05-07

| 't''NN'i i''''a's5 wv ''"'iN q W
little boy.
They soon reached "the house" low ant
struggling collection Of buildings, and wert
ushered into the presence of its owner, a tai
and fine-looking man, with his face covered
by a heavy beard and his eyes shaded by
wide slouched hat, who was seated in raw
hide chair reading newspaper and smoking
a long pipe He listened in silence and witt
apparent Indifference to the story the ranch
man told him.
What is your name :" he asked, address
ing the old man.
John Byrd, sir"
| Where are you from -
From Indiana
"Ah ANY family with youY"
MY daughter, Mrs. Worsham, and hel
child
| Widow, suppose"
Her husband is dead sir" patiently re.
piled Byrd, although he resented the tone Of
these inquiries
| First husband or second?'
| MI. W orsham wae her second husband
| She had been married to a drunken, worth.
less vagabond whom was compelled to drive
away"
"Quite right, Mr. Byrd-exactly right. -
| What became of the vagabond?"
| 81 don't know"
"Died, suppose. 1t is of no consequence
| what became of him. Then divorce fol.
| lowed ?"
YES sir. Insisted upon divorce against
| my daughters wish and she married Mr.
| Worsham, n well-to-do man. But bad luck
fastened upon us and never let go. Mr.. Wor-
| sham died insolvent and one reverse after
another swept away my little property and
was forced to come out here to begin life
amin IL 10 a hard tncl eli f,ra nm Dll
81 should say so. You ought to have re-
manned among your friends. What boy is
that ?"
'My grandson" family replied Byrd, who
was weary of this style of questioning.
"Son of the vagabond or of Worsham?"
albert is the son of my daughters first
husband."-
81 have taken a fancy to him. You want
a home, and will tell you what | will do
Give me that boy and | will give you fine
ranch, well stocked with everything you
need to make you comfortable. Is it bar
gain?"
DO you expect me to trade off my daugh-
ters child?" Indignantly demanded Byrd.
II forgot about her. OF course she has an
interest in him. Suppose you ask her. She
ought to be willing to accept comfortable
home for life, when she knows that the boy
will be well provided for"
81 will bring her here if you wish"
"No; don't want to see any women folks
Ask her and bring me word"
81 will ask her." replied the old man; "but
| know what her answer will be-"
John Byrd soon returned and informed
General Chance that Mrs. Worsham had re-
fused to accept his offer, declaring that she
would rather die than be parted from her
boy.
VERY well" said that gentleman. "That
is all have to say to you You may go"
John Byrd sadly left the house, and its
owner signed to the ranchman to remain.
"Mr. Whipp," said he, II wish you would
follow that old man. Take him and his fam
lily down to Killers ranch, which is vacant,
and settle them there. Supply them with
stock, provisions, and everything they need
to make them comfortable, and let me know
if money is needed"
So John Byrd and his little family, greatly
to their surprise, were settled and made more
than comfortable
There was nothing to trouble them but the
uncertainty of their tenure and a fear that
another direction might be taken by the pc
culiar disposition of their strange benefactor,
who would not allow Mrs. Worsham to come
near his house, saying that he didn't want
to see any women folks"
He only endured her father, hut was very
friendly to the boy, whom he presented with
n fine pony and saddle For his own part he
seemed determined not to show his face at the
Hitler ranch.
Providence, however, was disposed to set
aside this determination
As lie was returning one day from n distant
stockfarm his horse SHE'D and threw him
near the Hitler ranch, dragging him for some
distance by the stirup. He was carried into
Mr. Byrd's house, where it was discovered
that his head and face were so badly cut and
bruised that it would be necessary to remove
his hair and beard.
When this operation had been performed
Mrs. Worsham came into the room for the
purpose of helping Ia dress his wounds, and
fairly shrekcd MS she saw him.
albert Wakely" she exclaimed. as it
really you?'
Eyes, Mary, ii is l." quietly replied General
Chance. "lf you are going TO do anything
for me, please do it without a fuss"
Mary Worsham took care of him, and he
encouraged her attendance. When he was
stronger he spoke to her more freely.
"Mary did you really object to divorce
and to your second marriage?"
Eyes, Albert, | never loved any man but
the father of my child, in spite of his great
fault, and objected to everything that could
injure you. But you ought not to blame IA
Their. He meant to act for the best"
81 don't blame him. 1t was for the BEST
1t made man of me- and am, as ought to
be, deeply grateful to him. Mary, that is a
fine boy of ours"
Within month there was wedding on
the San Benito estate which was made such
an occasion of rejoicing as to be long remem-
harnd in that rnuion Tho ptrocfinr ,>or
| ties were Walter Chance as he was still de-
termined to be known, and Mary, widow of
Abram Worsham.