Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-11-14


heartily welcomed at merrymakings, but
never enjoying them with the selfish en-
joyment OF youth. Was there any re-
sponsiofiity TO be assumed, il was always
shifted to Allan's shoulders It was Al
Ian who cared for the plain girls who did
not receive much attention; Allan who
talked with unfailing patience 10 the deaf
old ladies'; Allan who was the confidant
OF all. He never seemed like the other
young fellows OF the country round, but
then his life had not been like theirs. His
Office was in the village, but he lived at
Pinewood, a lonely old place out ON the
seaside. that had once been one of the
finest in the county. The Rainyeas lived
there, and whenever Dick, their only
child, was at home from his northern
college there was one continuous round
OF entertainments, presided over by
Madam Rainyea. his mother, a beautiful
French woman of noble descent
The year before Dick took his degree
the old judge died. aud when his son re-
turned in June he brought with him his
young wife. / have seen her picture,
Mabel. She was tall, slender, aud grace
full as lily. A New England girl, frau
and dainty. The madam was bitterly
disappointed. The delicate fairness of
her daughter could not be compared with
the glowing beauty of the young south
erner; her shy, reserved manners did not
please the warm hearted French woman.
And then, too, that Dickl Dickl with his
handsome face and his noble blood,
should have married poor little school
teacher was more than her proud spirit
could bear. 1t was poor welcome that
the little bride received when she crossed
the threshold of the home that Dick had
described in such glowing terms. Dick
was furious at the cold reception his
mother gave his wife, and there were hot
words between the madam and her son.
AS for Margaret Rainyea, she became
more quiet and reserved than ever She
had been friendless orphan when Dick
married her, and now she lived only for
him, and for her little boy. When Allan
was years old his mother died, and then
his father, wild over her loss, sought TO
drown his grief in drink. The madam
became more sour than ever, heaped re-
HANsANhNo 0h htk oOls du0 hCBlCNbC0 bAo
child. Her death followed one year
after her daughters, and then the only
occupants of the great house were Allan,
his father, and an old negress. Mother
tried TO see the child as much as possible,
and to coax him to come and visit US,
but the distance from our place TO Pine
wood was considerable, and her own
babies took up most of her time. AS for
Allan, it was hard to get him to leave
home, even for a short time, for he was
devoted to his father, and never left his
side when he was at home 1t was a
strange life that the little fellow led in the
great desolate house, surrounded by the
uncultivated fields and the thick pine
woods. Often all day long, and some
times far into the night, or for weeks at a
time, Dick was away on some wild spree
and little Allan spent his time amid the
wonders of his grandfather's library,
spelling out books far beyond his years,
or roaming the woods. When night
came he would never 20 to his bed until
he heard his fathers uncertain steps upon
stairs, and many time the morning
sun would break over the little figure
lying stretched out at the foot of
the stairs waiting for his father But
one night when Dick was coming home
late his carriage was overturned. They
brought him home, and all night he lay
quite still, without moving or opening
his eyes. Then Just as the day began to
break he looked up into Allan's face and
said: Grow to be like your mother,
Allan. God bless you. and that was all.
1t was then that an old friend Of Dicks
came down, and finding that the boy had
nothing but the farm, and not all of that.
offered him work in one OF the large
cities, and Allan, then in his nth year,
went.
There he worked hard and finally en-
tered medical college. In three years
he graduated at the head of his class and
came back to his old home TO practice.
What splendid fellow he was, tall and
slender. with his mothers eyes, honest,
brave, blue eyes. He was strong as a
giant, but gentle as a woman, and il was
not long before he had won the respect
and love of all. He was often at our
house, but, as | said he seemed TO belong
more to theolder people than TO the young
folks.
"WeIl, the days rolled by and rumors
Of war came thick and fast. All the
young men in the country were fired
with enthusiasm and hastened TO form
various militia companies. Fred was cap
tain of a troop of cavalry and looked
more handsome than before in his gray
uniform One day there came news that
the first blood had been shed at Bull Run.
The call for troops was quickly answered
from ouI country and the next day was
one of busy preparation, for on the fol-
lowing day the troops were to march.
That night we were all sitting around the
fire in the hall, the excitement of the
hurried preparation was over, and we
were all sadly thinking of the coming
parting and hardly daring to think
hat might happen before we met again.
Suddenly the silence was broken by the
sound of horses hoofs and then step ON
the porch. .Allanr cried Nell, as she
few to meet him. With one accord We
rose to our feet and stood looking sur
prised askance at the picture framed by
the doorway, against the black night
a tain figure in the uniform of Union
officer and slender girl clinging to
him. Allan was the first to speak, and
he answered the inquiry Of our looks by
telling US that bis sympathies had al
ways been with the north and when fha