The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-12-21
III.
TAP TMO-AT MIDNIGHT.

TAP Two-AT MIDNIGHT!
Husband! husband! don't complaint It
! is wicked"
But what can we do?"
Trust in Heaven in adversely, as we did
when prosperity was ours!" cried Mrs. Greg
ory, bravely.
You've got me, father, and I can work,
| and we cannot utterly fall" spoke Janet,
smiling through her tears, and caressing
! detected, despairing John Gregory.
1t was mournful family group. The
farmer had returned home with white,
| hardened face-on foot-from town.
Gabriel Marble had given the screw of
torture another turn He had seized upon the
team driven by Gregory on writ for debt,
claiming that he intended to leave the
county and defraud ms creditors.
This last misfortune and disgrace drove
John Gregory nearly frantic. He had torn
to ribbons the note the constable placed in
his hands, and well it was that Gabriel
Marble did not present it personally in
Gregory's present humor!
Make me your son-in-law," the malevo-
lent schemer wrote insolently, and the
farm shall be decided back to you, and Janet
shall dress in silks and diamonds. I am
moving into my elegant new mansion to-
day, and she shall be it's mistress if she
speaks but the word"
THE thieving scoundrel!" murmured
Gregory, as he told his wife of the note.
He drove poor Cecil to become a wanderer;
he has made US beggars. o, when will
such as he be punished?"
In Gods good time" interrupted Mrs.
Gregory softly. Come, John, we will not
let it crush us, We have health and hope
and-Janet! We can face life again and win
a new home"
Tap!
There's some one at the door" murmured
the farmer
He cut short his wife's words by walking
to the door and opening it.
furry of snow came in. The winding
flurries beyond half-enveloped a muf1led
figure.
May come in:"
A stranger! mo, yes! Comet We can
shelter you for Il time"
He is no stranger"
The words were a scream. In thrilled
amazement Mrs. Gregory gazed on Janet
Cecil! Cecil l know you! oh, thank
God! thank God!"
1T ain't!" gasped Gregory, aghast.
Yes, husband, it's hino!"
He it was! Cecil-Cecil Tyler! He had
cast aside his wraps as best he could with
those clinging, rapturous arms of love about
him.
She was crying. sobbing at his knee as
the bluff farmer drew Cecil to the great
armchair. The three lowered about him,
and looked at his sad face and threadbare
attire, and read no story of golden success
there. But he was home again. Oh! life
was not so bitter, after all.
Farmer, have failed. 1 have come home
poorer than when l went away!"
Those were Cecil Tyler's first words.
Have your" cried Gregory, actually smil-
ing. Boy, I'm so glad to see you alive,
rich or poor-so glad to see poor Janet's
eyes glow with hope again, that bags of
gold would not better it. You're welcome,
and if two stout hearts can't take care of
two loving ones, why-why, lifes all mis-
take; that's ALL"
How the fire glowed! How those honest
souls warmed to grateful joy? All! Christ
mas had brought its gifts. 1t was heaven to
hear laughter and mirth under that old roof
once more
midnight" spoke Gregory at last aris-
ing to his feet My! the hours have passed
like magic. The winds this way, and we
can just hear Upton BELLS"
Open the door, husband. I love the
chimes"
Mrs. Gregory's hand rested lovingly on
the farmers shoulder, and a gentle, far
away look was in his honest eyes as, the
door slightly ajar, they stood and listened,
while Cecil's bronz ed cheeks rested against
the soft, white brow of his atflanced love.