The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-03-28
die first. | know he wants me and will

think they would allow me to positive
| ly reject him. I'd have to run off with
Harry, and be married on the sly, and
would never consent to that, and 1
| dent believe darling old Harry would
either. What will l do2'
She frowned, much puzzled, as she
arranged her dainty silk tie, and re-
menbered it was the very tint that
Harry loved best to see her wear-a
pale, silvery blue, that was such per-
feet foil to her golden hair, her bright
violet eyes and snow-and rose complex
ion.
Suddenly laugh came ripping over
hel beautiful mouth; her eyes fairly
danced as if a magical revelation had
been given to her.
,ss9Then the audible, musical laugh sub
AHed into demure smile as she slowly
descended the stairs, buttoning her
I.kds.
Gr Redmond's heart fairly bounced
as 1e caught the first glimpse of her
fresh, sweet beauty, SO marvelously en-
HANGED by her stylishly-worn attire !;
and he secretly felt very glad-first that
he had overcome his scruples about
wearing his Sunday clothes; second,
that Nelly Redmond would be decid-
ed improvement, as far as youth and
beauty went, on her predecessors.
She met him with a cordial sweet
ness, and they drove off at once, leav-
ing Mrs. Ellis to smile and nod her
head contentedly as she watched them
ont of sight.
'All it wants to clinch the nail is for
| Nelly to see the homestead, and the
comforts and conveniences that will be
bers-for all the prudent savings and
earnings of two economical women
And while the mother returned to
her sewing, to build very airy castles
about her only child, Nelly was riding
along in the rather old fashioned car
riage beside her elderly lover.
It's very pretty road, think, she
said, as they drove between rows of
cool, shady trees.
"None prettier; its useful, too, as it
leads straight to town. Sarah Jane
used to say she liked to take eggs and
butter along this way
Nelly WINGED at the name of her pre-
decessor No. 2, then she answered flip
PANTY
'Oh, l don't know anything about
that. I meant I should like to have a
phaeton and pony to drive about here
myself
Mr.. Redmond gave little inward
grunt.
'Phaetons aren't of much account. A
good, strong cart is worth dozen of
them. There's the house, Nelly. Take
a good look at it as we drive up, and
remember it has been the home of the
Redmonds nigh on two hundred years
Nelly dissipated his pompous pride
very suddenly.
well, l should think SO So this is
to be my future home
She directed the battery of her bewil-
dering eyes full upon his face.
He laid his hand on his heart.
IF you will so honor it and me, Miss
Ellis
A tiny smile parted her lips.
His effort at gallantry made her
think of an elephant essaying to skip
like gazelle.
You'll find it very pleasant and COM
Portable inside, with
They had left the carriage now, and
were walking up the path.
She interrupted him irreverently.
Never mind the inside just now it
is the outside that is under considera-
ton. Why, Mr.. Redmond, you don't
mean to tell me anybody ever lived in
that house with those solid wooden
shutters
Mr.. Redmond flushed even more of a
beet-red than was his normal hue.
Il certainly mean to say that two of
my wives
Nellie f1irted her parasol impatiently.
.sOh, I don't care anything about
them, you know. Every shutter has
got to come off and the house painted,
and green Venetian blinds put on
Mr.. Redmond uttered half-smoth-
cred Umphl L but went on, leading the
way to the front entrance, pausing un-
der huge, far-spreading tree with a
look of intense satisfaction on his face.
"Isn't this grand, Miss Ellis This
tree is over two hundred years old, and
planted by my great-great-grandfather
when he was boy.
Nellie frowned darkly.
Grand It's the most disagreeble,
big, numbering thing l ever saw-full
of nasty worms. l wouldn have this
tree here for anything
'You wouldn't?'
He looked almost alarmed.
you wouldn't not when my great
Not if Methusaleh himself planted
it, she interrupted, decidedly. Down
it comes before l come
A curious helpless expression cross
ed Mr.. Redmond's face.
! I'm sorry you aren't better pleased.
Shall we go inside? Maybe you'll like
it better
Nelly followed him into the parlor,
and before he could say word, she
burst out saying
'What contemplate place Who
on earth had the arranging of this
house, Mr.. Redmond, to make such a
stuffy little room? Why, where will my
piano stand, and the mirrors l shall
order from De Graaf's? The walls must
be knocked out, and all the rooms on
this side of the hall thrown into one,
and marble mantels put in. I think
you could make nice room of it, with
new carpeting and rosewood furniture,
and few paintings. Don't you2'
She asked it very suddenly, very in
nocently, and Mr.. Redmond, who had
listened half stupe6ed, answered, in a
very subdued way
'Yes, do think So
Nelly was all excitement now, and
her blue eyes were sparkling.
'Where is the dining room, Mr.. Red
! mond? And I'd like to see the servants
no 1 wouldn't, either, because I've
made I'M NV mind On1v to emDlOv