The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-12-21
/ I.

Bruce Herbert had stated the truth very
nearly, when he drew the comparison be-
tween honest Ernest Blakes homely attire
and his own elegant and fashionable outfit
only he did not tell himself that the one
wore the habiliments of honor and industry
the other the livery of evil.
In all Glendale no young man stood higher
in general estimation than Ernest Blake.
Left an orphan when q boy, he had come to
the village, and for five years passed a
dreary, monotonous life at the home of his
crotchetty, misery bachelor uncle, who
now had small store in the place, but who
was reputed to have large amount of
money hidden away or in some bank.
One day John Blake died. He left a will.
By it's terms his faithful relative, Ernest,
was made sole heir to all he possessed.
Glendale was agog. month later it mar
veled. SO did Ernest Blake, for not dollar
in money, bonds property could be found.
Either the uncle had no money to leave,
or he had secrcted it somewhere, and died
without revealing its hiding-place.
Inquiries were made, TO no avail, at banks
in neighboring towns, the records searched,
and a quest made through the house, but
the missing fortune was not to be found.
Ernest Blake was human. and therefore
disappointed, but he did not sit idle mourn
ing over his bad fortune. He was too man
ly for that. At last. realizing that his
uncle's bequest was an empty gift, he set
aside all the past, and went to work as
mechanic, securing employment in ma
chine shop,
For the two years that ended upon the
fair Christmas Eve that begins our story,
Ernest Blake toiled days and read nights,
and tried to become an expert as a mechan-
cal scholar.
He had the respect of everybody. Upon
that evening, as he stood in his room ar
ranging his homey toilet, he tried to believe
that he was beloved, and every thought
went out to the pretty ward of James Mark
ham-Eunice Davenal
They had met frequently of late, and her
eyes had shone so kindly into his own that
his heart beat fondly at the remembrance
of it.
I'll know my fate. I'll speak out like
man if opportunity presents tonight"
murmured Ernest. Then, if it's no, can
leave Glendale easier. Books are your
ruin" he chided himself, with smile, after
then at his clothing. IF hadn't given the
money for those last volumes, 1 might
have treated myself to a new suit of clothes.
l declare, this coat does look trif1e old,
and that one"
Ernest gazed refectively at a garment
lying across chair. He had taken it from
his trunk, where it had lain for years. 1t
was about all he possessed that reminded
him of his dead uncle, for it had belonged
to him.
1t had been John Blakes best coat, and
it was Of fine broadcloth and little worn,
but dreadfully out of date.
I'll wear It'll" decided Ernest finally. IT'S
better than the one 1 have, and who'll know
that it isn't mine? I declare. it fits me like
glove;" and, not foppish enough to discern
that its antiquity made him look strange,
Ernest, a few minutes later, set out for the
party given in honor of pretty Eunice at
the Markham mansion.
Gay lights flashed. the elegant structure
was aglow with music, radiance and mirth.
Fair girls smiled, handsome men h:rted and
danced, and all was a scene of Christmas
jollity; and yet one hour after he had ar
rived, Ernest Blake was about as miserable
being as Glendale had held for many day.
In the first place he had seen his rival,
Bruce Herbert patronized favoringly by
Mr.. Markham. Later. Herbert and Eunice
conversed together in a quiet corner for
some time, he earnest, she blushing, and,