The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-08-08
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THE CANCELLED MORTGAGE,

eWhat is this, Burt p
"This is the mortgage of an estate called
Derby place, Mr.. Faxon foreclosed more
than year ago, believe"
s'Well, it's what [ have been looking
for. [ will take charge of the papers, and
attend to the matter soon. Down East,
isn't it?'
eyes sir"
Mr.. Faxon put the papers into the
breasts pocket of his coat, came down the
office stairs, and stepped into the glittering
purple-lined phaton, beside his wife.
The delicate Arabian, Mrs. Faxon's
horse, sped away out of the city's confines,
and soon tossed his jetty name along the open
roads, lined with gardens, ornate cottages
and villas.
"Going away again, tomorrow, dear I"
asked Mrs. Faxon, suddenly lifting her
fair countenance, as she interrupted he1
husband 'You seem to be away all the
time lately; can't you take me with you =
"Not this time, Violet.
And Violet Faxon's husband fell into a
fit of abstraction, from which her smartest
chatter failed to arouse him.
They came at last to the Faxon man.
sion, grand and simple, and fulfilling its
promise of beautiful interior.
Amid the white lace and crimson silk OF
her chamber, Violet was brushing out hel
hair, when her husband paused in the door
way, and looked at her sharply. Then he
came slowly across the room, and lifting
the oval face in his hands, looked closely
at the roseate cheek, pearly ear and curved
lashes.
'.What is it?" asked Violet-"a freck-
le?"
"No," he answered, smiling family, and
strolling across the chamber. "You looked
like my sister then-that was all.
aYour sister, dear? You never tolo
me about her, said Violet.
'No," he answered, and said no more.
Mr.. Faxon bore no resemblaea to his
delicate patrician wife. A little less than
thirty-dark, strongly built, active, vigor
Gus, he impressed one as strong character
If with remarkably rich comeliness oi
eouptepance there were some sensual lines
there was also certain evidence of strong
good sense and a look of deep experience
MIR. Faxon looked like man who carried
weight.
He was up and away at daybreak the
next morning. An early train bore hin
eastward. and nine o'clock found hin
landed at a small station called Seabrook
The dismal little building was set in
field of clover, around which road wount
away among the mounds of verdure.
After a glance around, Mr.. Faxon took
this road and walked along The robins
hoped across it; the bobolink sang in tn
trees over it. The unassuming wild Glove
among the grass perfumed the cool morn
ing air.
He paased only few houses, but he OBJ
served them attentiFely, Fhey were al
old and humble frame houses, Apparent
ly this property which had, by the fore
closure of mortgage, fallen to Mr.. Faxon
was not situated in very rich or enter
prising neighborhood.
When he had walked nearly mile, h
came to a green dooryard, among wide
spread apple trees, with a well sweep amon'
them, and residence, though plain, NOR
pretentious and comfortable than tn
others.
There was narrow, well-worn pat
among the short grass and buttercups t
the porch, where bittersweet twined it
strong arms. In corner, under the ver
dure was an armchair with a book on tn
seat and a cane lying across it-a gnarled
twisted cane of hickory, that Mr.. Faxo
looked twice at The book he saw was
Bible
There was an old lady with sweet
faded face, and snowy cap-strings tied III
der her double chin, knitting at a windo'
near by, but his quiet step disturbed he
not.
He had put his hand to the knocker; b
took it down again as he caught sight
this placid face. He stood there quite sti
for several minutes. A gray cat came an
rubbed against his leg. Some apple bio
SONS, floating down touched his cheek
At length the gentle lips moved.