The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-09-06

with one foot on the carriage step, an
glaring at Messrs. St. Everil, Montma
tin q Co., through the green spect;
Gle glasses. 81 guess I'm as good :
they be, if l amt dressed in the ver
last agony of the fashion. I've got te
dollars sewed up in my flannel wais
over and above my travelin' expense:
and I'll 60 bail that's more than they'v
got!"
| A suppressed laugh here ran throug
the little assemblage of spectators Of
the platform.
| edo not let their folly annoy you
ma'am," said Early, pleasantly. LIE
me assist you into the carriage. St
Everil, stand back!" he added sternly
"lf you have no reverence for old agt
or womanhood, will teach you to re
spect my right hand. This lady is un
der my protection, you will please te
remember"
Mr.. St. Everil retreated, somewhat
discounted. upon his companions toe,
into the carriage.
"Young man," she began, when the
umbrella, lunch paper and bottle were
safely slowed away and they were roll
ing rapidly over the city streets, "yor
have got good deal of moral courage.
'Taint every city sprig would be as po.
lite to an old creetur as you've been
with all them noisy fellers pokin' fun al
you."
Our hero was somewhat embarrassed
at this plainly-spoken compliment.
81 hope, madam" he said, "I shall
never be found lacking in the essential
qualities of gentleman, in whatever
circumstances I may be placed"
The antique dame nodded her cap
frills, and held silently on to her umbrel-
la, without venturing any other remark
until they reached Mrs. Robert Early's
mansion.
Josephine was waiting for them on
the threshold; she clasped her ancient
relation closely in her arms, and there
was a sort of triilmphal rroceccinn sr 4e
her apartment, which Charles was
rather at loss to understand.
"One would think Josephine never
had an aunt, fresh out of Norah's ark,
BEFORE" he muttered to himself as he
took up the newspaper and went out to
the vine shade back piazza, there to
while away the time until such period
as lunch should be announced.
"Charlie!"
He had exhausted the paper long ago
and nearly fallen into a doze; but at
his sister-in-law's summoning voice he
started to his feet and entered the
house.
"Aunt Stephanie wants to thank you
for all your kindness to her this morn
ing," said Josephine.
"Confound Aunt Stephanie, thought
Mr.. Early, advancing drowsily toward
the front room, where, in sort of ar
tifcial twilight, produced by satin cur
tains and Venetian blinds, he could
dimly descray figure.
Suddenly Josephine drew back the
shadowy draperies, and there, instead
stood lovely girl Of eighteen, with
deep blue eyes and golden curls, set of
with a white muslin dress, with an
abundance of floating blue ribbon knot
ted about it.
"Stephanie Osborne he ejacula-
ted, instantly recognizing his fair en-
chantress of the seaside.
"No-my Aunt Stephanie!" inter
rupted Josephine, demurely.
"What mystery is this ?" demanded
Early, looking with puzzled face from
one to another. care you"
'sI am the the veritable old lady OF
the railroad train!" laughed the gold
en-haired lassie, with becoming glow
of color in her cheeks. "Do not look
so astonished, Charles. Josephine is
really my niece, only her mother, my
sister, was married before I was born,
she is Just ten years older than I amp"
eyes, but why"
"Why did assume that hideous dis
guise, you would say? Just to try youi
sterling worth and native chivalry,
Charles. I somehow fancied that the
Young man who was polite and atten
tive to bent old woman would have II
him the stuff for good and noble hus
band, and"
"And may I be your husband, Ste
phanie?" demanded Mr.. Charlie
promptly deducing a favorable infer
enCe.
"I-I'll think of it," said Stepha
ME, laughing and blushing. At al
events, Charlie, I like you ten thous
and times better since I have seen how
devoted you were to the poor old wo
man in the snuff-colored cloak"
"Upon my word, Stephanie, yol
ought to have been an actress !" sale
Mrs. Early, archly.
"sAll the worlds a stage, -" quotet
Stephanie, "and I have only performed
my part! Henceforward, I relinquisf
the profession"
$50 you are going to marry my Aunt
Stephanie, eh?" said Josephine, as sh'
met her brother-in-law in the hall, afte
heightened interview with his fai
haired goddess. "And will you be m,
uncle, then9"
81 don't care if l IN your grandfather
now that she has said yes" was MI
Charles Early's exultant reply.-PhiI
adtIbAia Call.
| The Efficacy of Prayer.