The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-06-17


But it was not Eloise. Hence his tone
of relief.
The doctor walked over to the bed.
Mazie's beautiful face was flushed with
fever. He felt her pulse, and grayely
shook his head
"Tm very sorry, but it is going to be a
trying case, and this hot city air isn't 60
we have her taken to my house? My
sister Kate and l are very lonely, and
she would be delighted to help nurse her" :"
"Oh, no, Doctor Eldridge, thank you,
but we must stay here. l am near my
work here and-anyway, doctor, could
not accept your"
"Come, come! She must not be kept
here. Mrs. Sheriff., will you see that
Bliss Maize is ready to be moved to my
place on the Highlands in the morning?"
"Yes-" began Mrs. Sheriff..
"Oh, we can not, broke in Eloise.
"My dear Miss Laurance, unless you
do, you will have no sister. will az
range about your work, ;" said the doctor.
"Very-well, then, Eloise said slowly.
The doctor drew on his gloves, and
taking up his hat said, Il will be back
presently with the medicine.
: \ \ y
1t was just three weeks after the first
day of Mazie's illness that DR.. Eldridge
pronounced her able to sit up.
Gel, was the first thing she said, "Are
we going to the mountains?"
"Yes, dearest, as soon as you are strong
enough. But let me read you letter:
PARK PLACE, Irvington, August 10. 1883.
My DEAREST NIECES:-1 received your let
ter of the 2lst of last month, on the 22l.
tried to persuade myself that was very angry
at first, but it was not anger. Every word of
it seemed to cry out "shame" to me. am
ashamed of having treated my dead niece and
her children so merciessly, and having long
ago. forgiven the best girl that ever lived, l
now offer you, her children, the love and homo
that was rightfully hers. 1 will be in New
York the day after tomorrow, and will expect
you to return and make your home with me.
| have more money than I know what to do
with. so please accept the little present send,
us peace offering. Your loving aunt.
EvELINA HAYES"
Maize clapped her hands and laughed
so heartily that DR.. Eldridge who sat in
the next room came in to see if Miss
Maize had fit," he said.
"Oh, no, doctor, no fit, )" laughed Mazic.
The doctor and Eloise laughed too.
Miss EIoise, can you help me with
some writing? Kate will stay with Miss
Maize, said the doctor.
Anything you ask, sir. I can never
repay your kindness to Maize and my
self, and grateful tears filled Eloises
eyes.
"Oh, can't you?" said the doctor, as ho
closed the door behind them, and took
her hand in his.
"Yes, yes, you can. Will you let mo
tell you how?"
"Oh, yes!" cried Eloise eagerly.
"By giving me your heart and hand,
sweet one."
Her face fell, and hanging her head.
she answered sadly:
II can never repay you, sir"
"Eloise. my darling, don't say that!
Can'tyou love me some? Will you think
of it, and when you have copied this let
ter give me your answer?"
ayes"
The letter was finished. -~
doctor Eldridge-"
"Elmer-say Elmer"
"Elmer, would you be willing to wed
factory girl?"
"lf you were that one, would. FL
oise, what do care for that? 1 care for
nothing but yourself. Were you queen
or pauper I would love you Just the same.
You are neither, but Eloise Laurance
who, as soon as Miss Evelina Hayes gives
her consent, will pay her sisters doctor
bill with her own sweet SELF" and the
doctor, with tears in his eyes, folded her
in his arms.
Eloise said nothing, but it was because
she was too happy and too well satisfied.
= y
The station platform was crowded, and
in quiet corner of the waiting room sat
Elmer Eldridge and his lovely bride;
Aunt Evy and Miss Eldridge, and, leaning
Lack among soft cushions, Maize.
The train rolled in, and the bridal
party entered the palace car.
Maize was not fully recovered from
her relapse, and was still very weak and
pale. The noise and confusion made
her nervous, but she stood it bravely.
A handsome young man in the front OF
the car turned lazily around, and, twist
ing his blonde mustache, surveyed tho
few people in the coach.
by ,George!" exclaimed Harold Hayes
to himself. That pale girl there is Ma
zie, and, we'll! did ever! There, behind
her is Aunt Evy and, who is that with
her, not Eloise? No, that's Eoise just
behind Aunt Evy. l will walk back and
make myself known.
| He looked at the sweet, wan face OF
Maize, and his long pent up love crept
| into his gaze.
Maize opened her brown eyes just as
Harold stopped by her side, and holding
out her hands, with a cry of "Harold!"
| tainted
There were, besides our friends, only q
! deaf old man. reading a daily paper,
schoolgirl, eating bananas, and few
| others in the car, and all were so busy
reading or sleeping that they did not wit
ness our little scene.
The doctor brought Maize to Just as
| the conductor put his head in at the door
and yelled "Irvington!"
The train usually stopped only five
minutes at Irvington, but it was nearly
10 this day before Maize and all of the
baggage were taken off.
Two carriages were waiting. Eloise,
Aunt Evy, and Miss Eldridge got into one,
while the doctor and Harold took Maize
in the other, and both were driven out
to Park Place, mile distant.