The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-01-06
childishly supposed was his nephew's

chagrin and modification.
WHO dye s'pose will get all my
place and all my money? Come, now,
who dye s'pose? Ye were such o
sneaking boy" he went on, without
waiting for reply, land played SO
mean that yen fare bad, but Millie-my
bound girl Millie, who is none of our
blood, mind yell git it all--all-all !"
screamed the old man, with frightful
emphasis on the last "all.
Il certainly hope she may" said the
gentleman, for she doubtless deserves
it. but as for me, Uncle Zekc, I am able
to take care of myself so do not inn
agine that want anything from you
except decent treatment but good day,
I shall not trouble you any longer. and
he rose to go.
At that time he was conscious of some
one entering from an inner room, and
turning he saw lady standing on the
threshold.
Strange meeting this of the playmates
of long ago, for it was Millie who
stood in the doorway! Millie, grown
tall and graceful, much different from
the chubby, good-natured girl whom
Adolph had cherished so lightly in his
memory all these years. The delicate
features, the sympathetic eyes, the
charm of q beauty hard to define, yet
quickly sensed by all who came in con-
tact with her. affected him strangely.
He read in the patient face and strange
surroundings the self-sacrifice of years,
and out of the shadowy depths of the
past came food of tender memories.
He was in the presence of one thrice
more dear to him than he had ever inn
agined. Perhaps, after all, kind fate
had led him here. His heart was
filed with nameless longing and he
spoke almost appealingly: Don't you
remember me, Millie ? I am Adolph." :"
The panied, frightened expression on
her face gave way to one of pleasure
and she advanced with outstretched
hand. "And you are Adolph," she
said.
The old man for the moment had
been forgotten, but he stumbled to his
feet almost black with rage and raised
his oaken staff. You hussy!' he
screamed. "do you dare act friendly to
him when ordered you years ago to
spurn him like dog if he ever re-
turned ? Touch his hand and I'll dis
inherit ye yell leave my roof forever.
Dye hear =? I'd skin him." he Kissed,
eff he were only under me now.''
Mr.. Griffis withdrew his proffered
hand in embarrassment, for he saw the
trouble he was liable to cause the COM
panion of his childhood. Their eyes
met, and the look of sympathy he gave
her told more than words. Millie
turned towards the old man and spoke
quietly Il shall go elsewhere if you
wish it. 1 do not want your money,
but you are getting old and 1 have re-
manned for your sake.
1t was the first time Uncle Zeke had
ever spoken threateningly to her. Bad
and bitter as the old man was towards
his enemies, he had refrained from
speaking harshly to Mile until to-day.
How could he live without her? Who
could fill her place by his side when
those terrible cramps returned, when
every movement of his body incurred
excruciating pain?
All, Uncle Zeke forgot in his wrath
all his debt of gratitude, and although
she had spoken in pleading tones, he
turned on her fercely: Yes, leave,
both of ye, and never darken these
doors ag'in.
They looked at each other helplessly
for moment and then at the old man.
but their delay only enraged him the
more. Don't ye hear?" he cried. IF
ye don't leave I'll strike ye.
Mile turned and left the room. Mr..
Griffiis passed out into the open air,
down the lane and tarried at the road
side. A few moments later Millie came
hurrying towards him, her face pale as
death. Come quickly!'' she cried,
breathlessly, "and see uncle; something
aas happened him." He ran back to
the house and found the old man lying
upon the floor.
Uncle Zeke had been stricken with
paralysis, and, although he lived some
weeks, there was no hope of recovery.
Miles gentle face was always at the
bedside of the sufferer. and just before
ne died there was momentary relax
alton of the disease and he was Just
able to whisper, as she leaned low over
his couch, Forgive me?'
II do, I do" she cried, the tears
raining down her cheeks, and with o
lingering look of gratitude upon his
face he passed away.
There was no will, and the property,
despite the old mans intentions, re-
verted to the next of kin. Adolph,
however, settled it all on Millie, but as
Millie became his it amounted to the
same thing in the end. They lived hap
ply ever after and the merchant never
regretted the day on which he left his
desk to follow the leading strings of fate.