The Baltimore County union., 1883-02-03
"But it is" retorted the policeman.

niece, married to store-clerk, Mrs.
Elgin by name. Now is it likely they'd
be livin' in place like THAR"
"Don't know anything about that, ''
said the policeman. "But it's No. 90. "
And he went on slapping himself
more vindictively than ever.
Uncle David stood staring at the tall
house few moments more, and then
he assembled the steps and rang the bell.
'It can't do no harm to inquire,
anyhow" said he to himself.
A maid in huted muslin cap, trim
med with myrtle-green ribbons, and a
hounced merino dress, answered the far
Off tinkle of the bell.
"Does Mrs. Evelyn Elgin live here ?"
said Mr.. Doty.
"Guess you've mistook the door,
Mister" said the damscl, superciliously,
glancing at the basket and bag.
"Does Mrs. Evelyn Elgin live here ?"
repeated Mr.. Doty.
"Yes, she lives here, but she's receiv-
trng.
"Doing what ?" said Uncle David.
"Ain't it New Years day ?" said the
girl, with toss of the myrtle ribbons.
Receiving calls, stupid" !"
every well," said Uncle David, star
ing past the girls head at vista of
gaslighted hall, paneled in pink and
gold, and decorated with stands OF
flowers. "Then RI call"
"She is receiving her gentlemen
friends" demonstrated the maid.
VERY well-I'm gentleman friend
of hers"
And he pushed unccremoniously past
"Your card, sir, if you please" said
the maid, holding out her hand in some
CONSERVATION.
al haven't any card" said Uncle
David.
And he walked, basket, bag, shaggy
great coat and all, into an elegant suit
Of parlors, where the velvet carpets,
mirroreJ walls, gilded furniture, and
great, glittering chandelier, all seemed
to glisten and sparkle together. In a
bay window at the end OF 4 refresh
ment table was set out, with good
ly show of cut-glass decanters, silver
cofee-urn, and piled-up tropical fruit,
while near by, chatting gayly to a group
OF gentlemen, stood lady in 4 trailing
pink silk dress. with flowers in her hair,
and jewels sparkling at herth Uncle
David Doty could scarcely believe his
eyes.
"Niece Evelyn" said he slowly, ais
il possible that this is-yoH -
Mrs. Elgin uttered little, terrific
scream, and then covered her face with
her hands.
"Uncle David !" she gaspcd.
The old man looked dryly around
him.
"Poor !" commenced he. "Very
poor-utmost cconomy-denying your.
selves every luxury. Yes, | see see !"
'But, Uncle David"
"Don't trouble yourself to explain,
Niece Evelyn" he interposcd. alt
isn't worth while. Do you see this 2"
holding up a narrow slip of paper,
"lt's a check for 4 thousand dollars
which was bringing you. But see
you have no need for it, may as well
destroy it,"
And he tore it into strips, which he
scattered on the low sea-coal fire, and
then walked out of the room.
When Mr.. Septimus Elgin came home
At night, not much the better for the
champagne which he had contrived to
absorb during the day, his wife me, him
with a pale, scared face, which sobered
him at once.
"Uncle David has been here" said
she.
"How much did he give you, my
dear ?" quickly demanded her lord and
master.
"Nothing; and he is estranged for
ever"
"I'hcn," said Mr.. Sep,imus Elgin,
slapping one hand vehemently upon his
knee, "we're ruined !"
Mr.. and Mrs. Elgin sat looking at
each other, with the faded flowers
exhaling n sickly perfume around them,
and the gas lights lickering overhead.
Nor is 1t asserting too much to say tina,
they were not happy.
II was scarcely month aftcrward
that Uncle David and Aunt Pandora
were sitting by their blazing pine logs,
with its resinous "drip, drip" bubbling
down into the ashes below, when there
was low click to the latch, and !
slight, veiled figure came hurrying in.
"Why !" cried Uncle David, rising
to his feet in brcathless amazcment, "it
amt nevcr-our Evelyn :"
She threw herself, sobbing, into Aunt
Pandora's kindly arms.
"Oh, take me back, take me back, >
she sobbcd, "for have no other hom,
left"
| And then she explained to them thai
the brilliant Septimus having forgeC
his employers name to check, hac
been compelled to flee the country, and
that shcriif's officers were even then il
possession of the handsome house il
East Barron street.
"My dear, let il drop" said Uncl,
David, kindly. "We'll blot out th,
past, now and forever. You are OH
little Evelyn again-and now let's 81,
no more about il"
And so the good old farmer forgo
and forgave it all but il Evelyn lives Il
the age Of a feminine Methusaleh sh,
never can forget that New Years Day
bD-"My brethren" said Western
minister, "the preaching Of the gospe
to some people is like pouring waite
over sponge-it soaks in and stays
To others il is like the wind blowing
through chicken coop. My expert
ence Of this congregation is that il con