The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-12-04


one dearly loved" And his voice trem-
bled. ..f. -t g.
Your mother:" asked Maurice,
gently.
mo; she died in my infancy. It is
my aunt, who so we'll filled her place us
to have won from me sons love. See
her letter is yonder ON the table. Read
it. She has suddenly been struck down !;
but has found strength to write and
summon me"
Maurice, crossing, took up the letter.
The lines were few, and penned by o
weak hand. They ram ..s
DEAREST DENz11,-
"I have but a few days, perhaps
hours, to live. 1 have been struck
down, but have rallied for time. Come
to me at once-Ao, my boy! must sec
you before die. Quick quick
your loving aunt,
CATHERINE WENTWORTH.
AS Maurice Northcott read the sigma
ture, he caught the table for support.
By riolent effort, exerting control
over himself, he said, HAS your aunt
no husband?"
She never married"
"Then you abruptly looking
round Mt him and scanning his features
-" sisters child?"
eyes"
"And your father p .,...,
CA captain who died at sea-" said
Denzil, "before [ could remember him."
For q space Maurice Northcott stood
silently gazing at the letter.
Then he said, "May I accompany you,
Hartman I have been excited this
evening, and should be glad of your
companionship. Besides, when one is
in trouble, it is pleasant, at times, to
have friend capable of acting with
him."
"Come, by all means. I thank you,
Mr.. Clarkson," answered Denzil, pulling
the last strap. "Ah under different
circumstances, how glad I should have
been to introduce you to one of the best
women in the world If you are ready,
we will go, please. We have but twenty
minutes
You have not said how far we are to
CO." remarked Maurice, taking his hat,
and following the other.
"To Rathhope, Cheshire" answered
Denzil, looking back over his shoulder.
"And have forgotten another thing.
My aunt is poor. Her home is in some
almshouse, erected by the charitable
foraged middle-class gentlewomen. Long
should she have left them had I Lad my
will; but she would never allow herself
to be burden on my eXertions. It is her
term, not mine. Bravely, Conscientious
~ she has acted her part in life, and
holds it no disgrace in accepting this
gift from those who have known, re-
spected, and honored her,"
"No disgrace, indeed; rather does she
honor us i'll raising mankind's worth in
our esteem" replied Maurice, as they
entered the street.
After that the two fell into silence,
speaking but little during the journey.
The word "almshouses was scar cely
applicable to the residences of which
DenZils aunt possessed one
They consisted of twelve pretty Gothic
detached cottages standing round
well-kept garden, bright with flower
beds, and clean gravel paths
The hour was late for the aged
jewellers, and light only burned in one
Of the cottages, that to which Denzil
directed his steps.
AS they entered, tidy, elderly
woman, pleasant of feature, come quick
~ down stairs.
You have been speedy, Mr.. Har-
man" she remarked.
"I came at once. Am I in time?"
"Yes. The doctor says your poor
aunt is sinking fast but she seems to
me stronger tonight. P'r'aps it's ex-
pecting you"
"Ill go up. This gentleman, my
friend, will wait here
Noiselessly he assembled the little stair
case. Maurice, who was stangely
agitated, had put out his arm as if to
stay him, out had let it drop again to
his side.
If so be, sir, you're going to stop,
pr'aps you wouldn't mind my running
into my own house for half an hour
Number T. Should 1 be wanted, I'll
come ut once. Indeed, glad any of us
would be to help the poor, dear lady
for she is true lady at heart, that she
is"
Maurice readily assented, bidding the
woman not hurry herself.
When she had gone. he paced the