The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1885-07-31

l
thized with all vino were suffering or in dis
: tress; what ails you, and what do you
2 want here ?"
b, please, ma'am," began the child, eagerly
lfyou could give us n nights lodging-pooI
e papa is so sick and tired, and"
l mo, can't~ abruptly broke in Eliaklm
Fairhaven. This amt no almslouse, mol
yet charity place. If you can pay your
way, well and good if we can't the sooner
you 60 about your business the better !"
I'VE have no money" timidly began the
child, while the man, as if stunned and be-
bewidered by the heartless fuency OF the old
farmers speech, leaned up against the fence
pressing his hands on his forehead, "but-'
Then clear out and be done with it |" said
Eliakim, resumng his scat with logged com.
posture.
Miss Comfort looked appealingly at her
brother.
~, IF ! could just get 'em bowl of milk,
Eliakm, and"
STUFF and nonsense" generously ejacuat.
ed the farmer; II amt goIn' to give in to
this sort of thing Once begin and you'll
never leave of, you soft headed womantolk ~
Slowly and YEARLY the two poor travellers
turned and plodded their way adown the
broad, dusty road, the languid footsteps of
the invalid scarce keeping up with the trip
ping pace of the child.
ION, papa, papa" sobbed the little girl,
turning her blue, wistful eye to the white,
worn face, "how cruel people areY"
lie placed his hand upon her curly un-
covered head.
"Never mind, Essie," he said, with a
mourniul, tender pathos in his voice; "it will
| soon end. 1t cannot be for long, as far as
am concerned, poor child. But for you"
He stopped his voice husky with emotion.
They had walked what seemed to little
Esther Bell weary way, when there was
rustic among the wild rose bushes that over
hung the stone wall at their side, and voice
called hurriedly to them to stop"
ITS me-" said Miss Comfort Farhaven,
reckless of her grammar. "Eliakim-thats
my brother-he's gone over to the class
meetin at Squire Dundas, and cut down
through lots to overtake you. tell you
can't somehow get your fathers face out O.
my mind. You're sick, amt you, mister 7"
| u shall soon be quite WELL" he answered
calmly, and Comfort Fairhaven's more ex-
perienced eye detected the hidden meaning
which the little girl never once Suspected
Yes, he would soon be well, but it would
be in that country where the inhabitants
never say II am sick"
"Where are you agoing ?" asked kind Miss
Comfort, her voice growing husky in spite of
herself
I'VE are going to my grandpapa," said lit.
tie Esse. "Grandpapa was vexed with my
mamma for marrying papa and going to Eng.
land, but papa thinks he'll take care of me
| now. But won't stay with him unless papa
stays too"
And she resolutey frightened her grasp
upon the thin, fever burning hand
81 s'pose you want to get to Lonsdale?
said Miss Comfort
The man nodded.
SIS it far ?"
ELEVEN good miles yet," said Miss Com
fort, "but I'll tell we what I'll make Joab get
out the wagon, and with good buffalo robe
over the seats you'll ride easy enough
| They'll be back afore Eliakim gets through
shoutin' and prayin; and while you're
waitin' I'll bring down snack O. bread and
meat and bottle ofmy currant wine. faint
good to travel on an empty stomach"
And five minutes later Miss Comfort was
carrying her hospitable intentions into effect
greatly to the delight and appreciation of the
hungry child.
"Now, see here" said Miss Comfort, draw
| ing the child aside, when Jacob drove up with
| the comfortable farm wagon and stout old
horse, II don't guess you've got more money
than you can use?"
1--WE have only enough for our railroad
tickets, said Essie, her countenance falling,
"but--"
81 thought So" said Miss Comfort; land
here's a five dollar bill I've laid aside out of
my butter money that Eliakim don't know
nothin' about"
The child's eyes were trimming as she
looked up in Miss Comforts honest, hard.
featured face.
Twill you let me kiss you, just once p? she
whispered, standing on tp-toe to bring her
blooming cheek close TO the spinster's wrink.
led lips.
Kissing, as Miss Comfort might herselfhaye
remarked, had she leisure for aremark,
was not much in her way, but she could not
resist the sweet, wistful entreaty.
"'rhere," she said, with strange moisture
in her eyes, run along Ioab's waitin'."
"OhW cried little Esther, as she sat on the
buffalo draped seat, 81 wish was rich and
grown up?"
est Joab.
cpd buy a diamond necklace and pink
dress for that good lady"
Joab chuckled. II don't know as they'd
become her, he said with grim jocularty.-
$50 gee up old Dollp
81 know Pm pretty old to be ookin' arter
a situation" said Miss Comfort Fairhaven,
"but can't starve, nor won't beg, so what's |
thSiS iSib' VIC huu u SOOu luIH OUCe, DuU
my brother couldn't rest till he speckilated it |
all away, and now he's gone and I'm all alone. |
So, if you know Off good place as house. |
keeper, or matron in an asylum, or general |
overseer don't much care where"
The intelligence Office keeper, with slight |
shrug of his shoulders, broke in on the tor |
rent of Miss Fairhaven's explanatory elo- |
quence.
What wages do you ask ?"
81 amt particular about that SO long us it's |
a good home"
Here's place that might perhaps suit |
you-housekeeper wanted at Mr.. Dupon- |
ceau's, No. = Fifth avenue. You might try
it, although hardly think person like you |
would suit"
II amt young, know" said Miss Com. |
fort, with sigh, but there's deal of tough |
work left in meyet. Give me the address, |
shan't give up and starve without tryin' |
for it,"
Yet, in spite of all her philosophy, Miss |
Comforts heart like that of the queen of |
Sheba of old grew faint within her as she sat |
in the luxurious reception room of the Fifth |
avenue mansion, surrounded by silken |
chairs, gilded tables, flashing mirrors and |
pictures, whose radiant skies might have |
been painted in liquldized gold, so rare and |
costly were they"
"Im most sorry come !" thought Miss |
Comfort II don't fairly bel ieve / can give |
satisfaction here"
While the thought was passing through her |
mind, the door swung open, and tall young |
lady In blue silk morning robe entered |
IA young lady with golden brown hair loop
ed after the fashionable style over her brow,
and deep blue eyes.
Miss Comfort rose and dropped stiff lit
tie courtesy.
1--WE called to see" she began, but to her |
amaZement the rest of her speech was ab- |