The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-03-05
In the Field sisters' cottage that looked

out on the chimneys and turrets and
towers. of Deaconwoode-took posses
sion as their boar:.er, and gave his name
rs Curtis, and in course Of time very
naturally came to be on the most excel
lent terms with them.
One day Miss Field, in particularly
confidential mood, told him all about
the romance Of their lives how until
so lately they had lived their life Of
elegance and ease at Deaconwoode, and
how the prospect Of their future had
faded as completely and suddenly as a
beautiful dream.
"Whoever this usurping heir is he
must be double-dyed rascal-selfish to
the hearts core--,o have defrauded
Won So ssssii 1855 esa ,aasA saf iness
Mr. Curtis seemed remarkably en-
phatic in his denunciations.
"Oh, would not think. that" Miss
Field said, in her gentle, womanly way,
"because he certainly had right to it,
and i dare say he was delighted at his
good fortune, and surely he ought to
enjoy it," -,
al don't know about that, Miss Field.
/ think il simply inhuman for any man
to turn two delicately- bred women out
Of their home Of elegance and ease, as
this villain has turned you out. Per-
haps he did not know, but he should
have been told, and he certainly should
at least have divided"
Miss Field smiled.
"But people arc not often so gener-
Gus, Mr.. Curtis. Yes, for Marian's sake
IL would be pleasant; but ! don't know.
The discipline OF adversely and the
necessity for effort are making grand
woman Of her, while I must confess
rather shrink in distaste.'
An hour or so later he and Marian
went out for little stroll-they had
fallen into that habit lately.
ave were talking about Deacon
woodc and that detestable cousin Of
yours--Miss Field and I. Do you
know, we both agree that it is a piece
Of selfshness that he doesn't divide
with you under such peculiar circum-
stances 2"
Marian laughed.
"That's nonsense, Mr.. Curtis, and
shall not allow yau aud Annie to dis
cuss such incendiary topics. DivideS
OF course not--do you think I'd accept
charity at the handsof Meredith Alwyn1
Deaconwoode is lawfully his-let him
keep it-dearly as love it, every stone,
every tree, every loom, every picture. "
Her impetuous young voice thrilled
out, brave, almost defiant, as they walk
ed along in the gathering dusk.
Then he suddenly called her name in
tone that instantly brought flush to
her check.
"Marian IL
'It was the first time he had ommit-
ted the formality Of the prefacing title.
"Yes9"
al am jealous Of Deaconwoode be.
cause you love it so, and I want you to
love me Marian, my darling, tell me
il you can--if you do! Marian, sweet,
| love you so-if you will let me I"
II did not need more than one look
into her eyes to read his answer.
"I-cannot helpit-can II" she said,
slyly, and then, on the quiet suburban
road, in the gloom of the early nightfall,
he took her in his arms and kissed her
over and over again.
"And now," Re said, as she nestled
on his arm and they turned their steps
homeward, "about this Deaconwoode
affair. You, OF course, have no objec.
,ion to going back there1 You have so
impcriously declared you viii not ac-
cept your cousin Meredith Alwyn's
charity that there only remains one
more course open. That is to ask you
TO resume your sweet sway there as right
ful owner, and-Meredith Curtis AL.
wyn's wife-my own little blue-eycd
darling. II Is yes. again. Because you
know you cannot help yourself, nor will
you want to if you love me, little Cousin
Marian, little wife Marian !"
And that was the way they went back
home 1ar e.rD3