The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-10-10
RISING SUM- CECIL MD. FRIDAY, OCTOBER TO- 1890

| ened at his approach. He held out for
her acceptance bunch of delicate, fresh
rosebuds, and she fastened them at her
| belt.
Then they locked the door of 45, turn
ing the same key, perhaps, which Isaac
and she had turned half century be-
fore, and passed slowly on together, out
of sight.
When the plump chambermaid came
to summon her charge to tea she found
the door closed, and within a little, old
lady, sitting alone in the dark, whose
face looked withered and pale when the
light once more fell upon it from the gas
jet in the hall.
81 guess l don't care much fer tea
after all" she said, YEARLY. I'D ruther
go to bed. Would you mind unlockin'
the carpet bag, dear, an gettin' out my
| things? l feel all queer like, somehow.
an my feet's so numb an cold it don't
seems if could stan up long enough ter
undress."
Two hours later, when the golden
haired bride and her husband came back,
Marcia, the chambermaid, stayed them
at the door.
81 hate ter bother ye, ma'am," she
said, 'but the poor old body opposite is
like ter be down sick, I'm afraid, an not
soul in the house belongin' to her. By
all I can make out, she come here, fifty
| years ago, on her weddin' tower, an
she's here ag'in now, because 'Isick,
whoever he was, said they'd keep their
golden weddin here. But he'd ha' done
better if he'd held his tongue till the
time came, for now he's dead an cleared
out, an left her ter keep it all alone,
poor thing! Not that there's much dam
ger of her doin' it, neither, for she looks
more like q funer1 than a weddin', this
minute. Ye see she wanted 45, because
they had it then, an fndin' it ockerpied,
an you an him so like her an Isick, has
kind of upset her, an her minds little
wanderin'. Maybe if you come in, and
spoke to her, it'd do some good, fer she
does nothin' but talk about you an him,
an her an Isick, till my own heads like
to turn with hearin' it."
The bride looked up at her husband,
and he looked down at her. They were
80 oyoung and SO happy that this story of
the poor, old, lonely woman who had
known and outlived like happiness
touched them deeply.
go, DEAR" said the young man, gent
ly. You can help her if any one can. "
And 80 tho vision, quitting his arm,
fioated softly through the opposite door
way and appeared at the old lady's bed
side.
The bride of fifty years-old and
wrinkled, and gray-looked up into the
blooming face of the bride of week, and
family smiled.
"As pooty as picter," she said softly.
''That's what Isick said. Hes gone to get
me posy. You've got a posy, too"
And her tired eyes wandered admiringly
to the roses in the young girls belt.
Then a troubled look crept over the with
cred face.
"They can't give me 49," she said,
sadly. 81 domino know as I'd ha' come
if I'd knowed that. 1sick alwers said
we'd have it ag'in, an so Id got ter reck'-
min ont. Isick's comm back directly" i"
she said, her mind beginning to wander
once more, ''an' then he'll see to it. He's
gone to get me a posy." And again the
eyes sought the roses. The young bride
bent over and kissed the old one, with
hastily from her belt, laid them softly
into the cold, thin hands that seemed to
lie strangely helpless, and went back to
her husband with her bright eyes full of
tears.
Jack" she said, coaxingly, when she
had told him all, "would you mind very
much letting her have our room?'
''Mind!' exclaimed Jack II feel as
if we'd been trying to cheat the old lady
out of her rights. What's a two days
occupancy in face of a fifty years claim?
OF course she shall have it.; get her right
in here. I'll help if you like. Only,
Dot, take warning! Don't you go to cut
ting any such capers fifty years hence,
when Fm-elsewhere.
For all answer Dot bestowed upon him
hug that might have insured his being
ELSEWHERE" pretty speedily had her mus
Gle only equaled her good will, and went
back to the opposite room. Marcia was
watching her charge with solemn eyes.
81 think we'd best get doctor to her,
ma'am. It's my belief she's had stroke.
She acted dreadful helpless when was
putin her to bed; an jest see here!'
And the girl gently lifted one of the cold,
quiet hands. 1t lay Imply in hers, and
fell heavily down again as she relin-
quished it. The patient face had be-
come more pinched and pale even in the
few moments of Dots absence, but the
eyes met hers expectantly as she came
to the bedside.
"Forty-five is all ready for you now,"
said the little bride, ''and my Jack will
carry you over. 1t was mistake our
having it; this is our ROOM"
care ye sure, dear?" What light
came into the dfin eyes! 81 thought there
must ha' been mistake somehow.
Where's Isick?"
"You must let us take care of you a
little while. Isaac isn't here now, but l
think-he1l come-before very long"
How the sweet young voice trembled!
'Oh, yes, he'll come. He's only gone
to get me posy. l think I'll go to my
own room now, if you please, dear"
To her own room she went, carried in
Jack Hazards strong arms. They had
turned the gas down low, and placed the
little hair trunk where her eyes could
most easily rest upon it. She noted all
with happy face, and then closed her
eyes and lay quite still and quiet.
The doctor, when he came, ratified