The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-11-01

or, tor he came as regular as the clock
every day, and Mrs. Glover had given
him the name of ''Annie's ancient ad-
mirer."
Many were the jokes levied on the
good natured girl by the servants, when
she gave the usual order-a very lean
chump-chop done we'll.
But they were all mich attached to
the gentle girl, and would have done
anything to serve her, but the spirit of
fun would possess them at times.
She took no heed, and still waited on
the old gentleman, who had even gone
SO far as to give her his name and taken
hers in exchange.
"You see, my DEAR" he said one day,
when he had been constant visitor for
about Three uIUuIlIS, and wiuICI was fast
giving way to spring, cit is only right
that people who meet every day should
ask each others name. Now mine is
Hardy-William Hardy, and yours is
Annie; but want to know your sur
name as well"
"My name in full is Annie Seafield,
SIR"
"And very good name too, my dear.
Well, perhaps you won't forget mine if
you should ever hear it-eh2"
"No; should not, indeed, because
it is name can never forget"
"Why," he exclaimed sharply.
"Because Hardy was the name of Mel
sons dearest friend, who caught him
when he had received his death wound. I"
"Capitall Why, you are we'll up in
the naval history of your country. You
have been we'll educated from what
can see. You were not brought up for
this position, fancy. Deserve some
thing better. Who knows? Perhaps,
some day, you may be able to hold
your own yet, my child"
81 am very contented, sir, in the po-
sition Heaven has thought fit to place
me in. But, still, you are quite right.
l was born in different circumstances.
My father was large hotel proprietor
in Southampton. and through over-spec-
ulation and bad men, died in poverty"
81 thought as much," he returned
dryly. "The old story. "A fool and
his money A starving family left
to battle with a cold, grasping world. :"
81 am contented," she said cheerful
ly. Everybody is good to me-"
"Stuff and nonsense!" he murmured.
"Nobody's good in this selfish world
but yourself. I've had a good spell,
considering the years l have been in it..
Everybody has interested motives.
People are what you call kind to you
because you are necessary to them.
You become ill or crippled, and then
see what kindness you will get from the
world"
81 should not like to think that, I"
she said softly, looking with a wealth
of pity into the hard old face. 81 feel
sure IlcIc aIe KlnO ncdits IN Tie wOilu,
if you will only believe in them. Life
would be worthless to me if l thought
as you do"
await till you have lived to three
score and nearly ten," he said, shrug-
| ging his shoulders, Sand seen the hol-
lowness of friendship, and the selfish
greed of all who will fawn upon you as
long as you possess a sovereign in your
pocket"
Even then would still hope to find
a true FRIEND" she said earnestly.
"You are good girl, and have got
one-ah, as true as steel. Remember
my words, child, when tell you that
you have made me human again, and
caused me to believe in my fellow crea-
lures, whom had cast out of my heart
and life."
Annie Seaheld never forgot that
strange conversation, though they met
several times after it; but he became
very reticent, speaking less as his steps
became more feeble.
"Poor old dear!" she murmured, 81
fear he is not long for this world" a:
she watched him pass the window after
his frugal dinner. 81 wonder where he
lives? Not far, 1 hope; he seems sc
weak"
The next day came, but no old gen
tlelnan, and Annie felt quite dull anc
diayait. In vain she placed a dish O
flowers on the table, and shook the cush
ion of the chair as welcome. The
kindly old face never came to smile hi:
thanks, and she went about her dutie
with a saddened heart, for there wa
that inward presentment fixed in he
mind that the comfortable armchair
would see its occupant no more, tn
bright, fresh flowers be placed in vain
$50 you have lost your old frierd a
last" said Mr.. Glover, as he saw tn
wistful face looking yearningly out o
the window. "Well, you mustn't loo
so sad, my lass; the old must go, yo
know; come, have glass of wine ant
cheer up."
81 was only thinking how lonely h
was, and that he might be i'll and hav
no one to attend to him. He was NO
very we'll off, either, l fancy"
"That's where l think you are mis-
taken, ANNIE" he said reassuringly
"for one day when you were calle
away, and l took the money for hi
chop, saw roll of crisp bank-note
there's no mistaking them. $50 yo
are a bit of miser, thought, and n
doubt he was, and l must say ofall pee
pie l dislike them the most, so thin
your sympathy is thrown away upo
such an old curmudgeon."
Days passed and the old man was a
most forgotten, when large, blue
legal looking letter came from a wei
known firm of solicitors in Lincoln
Inn, addressed to Miss Annie Seaheld
"Surely there must be some mistake,
she said tremulously; "it cannot mea
me. Twenty thousand a year! Oh, no
l have done nothing to deserve it.
"It is true, child" said the worth
landlord, as he read the contents. g
congratulate you, and hope you wi
live long to enjoy this piece of goo
fortune, for you deserve it."
81 little thought, ANNIE" put