The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-08-10


this forlorn way ?" inquired Florrie. ''Has
he no belongings ?"
"None to speak of. His mother died
when he was baby, his father three years
ago. | think mamma looked after him
more than any one else, though he has
some aunts and cousins. He and | are
Just like brother and sister.
That must be rather pleasant, as you
have no proper brother. Why, surely, that
is he coming up the lane? And there is
some one with him! Fancy finding two
young men in country village like this =
Miss Marsh had been at the cottage
three days, and was enjoying the fresh
country air thoroughly; and having a keen
interest in her fellow-ereatures, she had
been studying Gus because there was no
one else to study Now her attention was
distracted BY the newcomer, who was. in.
deed, very agreeable aud interesting speci-
men of humanity
! Richard Nugent had been at college with
Gus. but had been far more successful in
the schools, and less iu the cricket ground,
| than his friend Now he was hard-work-
ing London curate, while Gus was enjoying
the less labOrious position of a wealthy
country gentleman, but their friendship was
as great as ever.
Mrs Oldham, will you come up 10 the
| Grange tomorrow ?" said Gus one after
noon. as he lay on the grass at her feet
"Nugent and | want to have some tennis
with the girls, and you can look on and
ehaperon.'
'ivery well, will come with pleasure,
but you must send the pony carriage for
me. you know.
.'Of course, send for you and send YOU
back You viii stay to dinner, won't you?
.You must consult the girls about that, -
said Mrs. Oldham, ''for have an idea that
they may be busy; they are reading together
a good deal, you know >
Miss Marsh went in to write letters
didn't she don't know where Agnes
has gone, remarked the young nan, rising
fron his lazy attitude. and looking about
him. '.Oh, there she Is, with Nugent, right
al the end Of the field How can people
be 20 energetic this weather 2
Agnes and Mr. Nugent did not seem to
find the heat oppressive; they were stroll.
ing quietly aloug the shady side Of the feld
talking. and we're 50 much interested in
their conversation that it Was quite a long
times before they returned To the lawn.
Agnes was hearing Of world that was
new and strange to her, but which seemed
the exac, thing she had desired for year,,
In the quiet village there was but little for
al energetic woman to dc. but the l;fe Of
Mr. Nugcnt spoke Of had opportunities for
every one Real bard sclf-dsnying labor
.lnong the poor. depressing at times, but
chsered and hghtened BY the fellow-feeling
Of uaany workers. all struggling towards
noble and worthy aim, was the very work
she weaId have chosen, had the choice been
civea her. Now she heard Of Il from enc
of the workers. and her face gsoWed with
enthusiasm a. she listened; while Mr.. Nu-
geut ooald ROS help longing TO have such
ready sympathy and appreciation near him
TO soo4hs aud eheer him in the troubles
and di-sPpainttaeHts which were a neoes-
sary accompaniment q fhe work
'Why dns't yoa eo1sa - London and
work with as Miss Oldham ? be asked.
You have strength and enesEy. why waste
them on tribes. when you nsghf b. doing
real good wifh them p
Il don't think my mother could lave in
London. said the girl slowly, and we
could not afford il, either. Bat | shall
work some day. asd meanwhile, ! dare say
it Il good 10 have TO exercise patience.
Aud am young enough a. yet, she ad-
ded. Eith a smile, A. they returned 70 the
awn Ia join the others.
The afferuoon AZ the Grange vas sue-
oess. Nm Oldham sat in los chair un-
der great cedar tree, and enjoyed herseit
quietly. indeed, the view aud the sight OF
the four merry young people Was pleasure
enough for her The tennls-conrt vas =
vaTy good one, aad Gus and FioFrie played
Mr.. Nugent and Agnes with great effect.
wheu they were tired PlorTic insisted on
being taken all over the house, and gave the
master Of il intense pleasure By the interest
she took in his old pictures, china, furn'-
surc and curios generally.
You can't think what pleasure this Is
TO me E. she said when they werr eKaulin-
ing some exquisite wood-earviug in the
library. We London people live in s,neco
houses, and bay our artistic properties 10
Regent-st, but here they are all growing.
80 To speak.
Everything here has grown With the
place, if that Is what you mean, replied
Gus. There is nothing modern, and
everything has history My people have
lived here since Queen EliEabeth's time, and
though We aren't either rich or clever, al
any rate we are not mushrooms.
why should you be rich 2 asked Flor
ne. IF you were a millionaire this house
would act be grand enough for you and
you would spoil it by altering it, whereas
now il is perfect.
Gus was pleased He loved his home
( and all his ancestral treasures heartily. lie
/ loved all the old associations which had
{ grown up in the 800 years since the Grange
was built. and he was well aware that there
were few families in England who could
boast of such line of worthy gentlemen
as those from whom he was descended.
/ Agnes did not care fer any of these things,
and was at that moment having long con
versatiou with Mr. Nugent about the evil
results of foreign immigration in the east
of London, a subject which interested her,
but which Gus simply did not understand.
He was satisfied if his tenants and laborers
were well housed and fairly prosperous land
it must be owned that he was an admirable
landIord), but the distress he did not see
had nc pathos for him; it was no business OF
his, and he lacked the imagination which
brought it all wildly before the energetic
couple under the cedar tree.
That evening Agnes stood at her window
and looked out on the peaceful mOonlit
fields, and longed to be in the busy human
hive she had been hearing about. Then
her face dimpled into merry smile.
'Dear old Gus !" she said, she has fallen
into the trap, and they will be thoroughly
happy. don't think | know any one SO
fitted to be his wife as Flo.
Meanwhile Mr. Bartlett was thinking
what very successful day it had been, and
how nice it was to get Agnes up to the
Grange, and it never dawned on his limo
cent mind that he had not exchanged ;