The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-11-05

SNtA
They're dead, p'raps, sa d Mrs
Daggett. Or p'raps they've go
tired of him. Anyhow, it's three
months since we've heard a word
and me and Daggett have made ur
our minds that we can't stand it any
longer, SO we're going to put him or
the town. Lawyer Broxall says it:
legal and right and they can'texpec
anything else of US. Squire Sodu:
is to send his covered carryall mex
Saturday, and old Daddy Miflin'l
suppose he's going for a ride. And
so things'll go off smooth and plea.
SAINT.
Smooth and pleasant! Helen
Hyde looked across the grassy lawn
to the little old sman with his mild.
distracted face. his rutfled shirt front
the silver hair that glistened in the
sunshine and the white, claw like
fingers that slowly turned themselves
backward and forward as he sal
there.
He owned the place once, said
Mrs. Daggett, but his sons turned
out bad and he indorsed for Squire
Sodus's cousin and lost everything.
And here he is in his old age, with
out penny! What is it Becky 7
The oven ready for the pies? Yes,
Pm coming.
She'bustled away, leaving Helen
alone A sort OF inspiration entered
the girls heart as she sat there with
The briny smell of the ocean filling
her senses and the rustic of the
maple leaves murmuring softly over
head. She took Mrs. DardaneI s
$40 bill from her pocket and looked
long and earnestly at it. She
thought of the little, one horse carry
all which she and the girls from
Ixwood Institute were to have hired
together TO drive over the hills and
glens all those sweet, misty summer
afternoons, of the excursions to Twin
Rock by steamer upon which she
had counted; of the new black bunt-
ing dress which she had decided to
buy. She must abandon all these
little darling extravagances if she
indulged in this other fancy.
AS if there could be any choice,
she said to herself.
Then she got up and went softly
across the grass and clover blossoms
to where Daddy Mifflin sat.
Do you like this place? she asked
softly.
It's home. my dear, he answered,
seeming to rouse himself out OF a
reverie; it's home. l have lived
here for eighty odd years. could
not live anywhere else.
But there are other places pleas
anter.
1t may be, my dear; it may be,
he said, looking at her with troubled
eyes through the convex lenses Of
his glasses. But they would not be
the same to me.
Helen went to Mrs. Daggett, who
was baking pies and rolls and straw
berry shortcake all at once.
Mrs. Daggett, said she, here are
$40 which Mrs. Dardanel gave to
me to do as pleased with, and |
please to give it to you to keep old
Mr.. Mifflin here five weeks longer.
Mercy sakes alive! said Mrs.
Daggett; he amt no kin to you, is
he?
No. said Helen, but he is so old
and feeble and friendless, and-and
please, Mrs. Daggett, take the
money. Perhaps by the time that
is gone l shall be alb send little
more. My employ IS ~ going to
pay me generously in the r-y, and
l feel myself growing better able IL
work every day.
So Helen Hyde adopted the cause
of one even poorer and more friend
less than herself, and for over a year
she paid s. week steadily, and Mr.
Miftlln never knew what a danger
had menaced him.
AT the end of that time the old
gentleman's granson came from
some wide, wild region across the
sea, tall, darkeyed young man with
the mien OF prince in disguise.
My father has been dead a year,
he said. And by his papers | have
only Just learned for the first time
there is an arrearage due on my
grandfather's allowance. l hope he
has not been allowed to suffer-
Oh, he's all right, said Mrs. Dag.
gett. We have taken excellent care
; of him.
You are noble hearted woman,
said the young man, fevently clasp.
ing her hand, and l will see that you
are no losers by your generosity.
1t amt me, said Mrs Daggett,
turning red and white, for Helen
Hyde, now spending her second
summer at the farm house, sat by,
quietly sewing in the window recess
Pm tree to allow that me and Dag
gett got out of patience and was
going to put him on the town,
but Miss Hyde, here, one of our
boarders, she's paid for him ever
since.
beg your pardon if | have inter.
fered, said Helen, blushlng scarlet
as the large black eyes fell scrutiniz-
ingly on her face, but he seemed SO
old and helpless that
God bless you for your noble
deed! said Ambrose Miflin, earn,
! artIy