The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-03

NiNNN hoisN AiC iluu lClI iltlI SllOu. on
couldn't "a made u tinc lady out o. her y"
mo, couldn't n done that" said
Sam.
During tho summer tho news spread
through the village that g'anny's baby
was getting kind of cross and pecvish,
and that tho great lady had said to tho
nurse that it was mistake for n person
to adopt I. child
Two months later it was declared
positively that Mrs. Eustice was going
to Europe with her husband and her
great aunt; that g'anny's baby lay i'll
in the big house; that Mrs. Eustico had
told tho doctor she never could forgive
herself for adopting the child
The sun was about three feet from
tho top of the second hill when the bit
of flying gossip reached tho black
smiths shop and was just sinking be-
hind tho hill when broad shonldered
man walked hastily across the grounds
and entered the big house by tho rear
way.
While the man sat waiting in the
library he took from his pocket q greasy
pocletbook. and opening it laid the
contents ON his knee. His hand trem-
bled as he counted tho notes over to
mako sure they We're all right-S1, 600
There was II sweep of dainty garments
along the hall, and Mrs Eustice came
into tho library. She gave slight start
upon recognizing her visitor. regarding
him not SO much rs the blacksmith,
whom she knew by sight at the shop
but as tho man who had bid against her
for z anny's baby.
II hear" said the man slowly. THAT
you re goin off to Europe
YES said the lady.
"And they say that the baby amt so
we'll"
Eyes, that's true too It's been all
ing all summer. What did you wish?"
II was thinkin, he said, 'that Us
the whole transaction was o business
onc-thnt, now being as you're goin
away, and the baby's sick, mebbe us
you might be willin to sell I'm reoly
to give you yer price. -
Mrs Eusticc was startled She had
lamented that reckless squandering Of
her money at the village auction more
than once; but, according TO la,rself. She
was honest.
You ought to see the poor little
thing" she said. Come, I'll show
her to you.
Silently Sam Winters followed the
great lady to the nursery, where the
baby tossed III its little crib. She's
had the bcst of doctors, " said Mrs Eus-
ticc, but 1 don't believe anybody knows
what's the matter with her
IN give You 81. 600, y said the man
huskily.
"Oh, dear nor cried the lady; "that
wouldn't bc fair Why, doubt>if she
lives till we return. l tell you what,
I'll take $500 if you are willing to run
the risk. It's outlandish, selling a
baby; but, then you know. 1 bought
her"
Winters counted out the money and
handed it OVER. He had not dared to
touch the baby that belonged to the
great lady, but after paying the $500
he stopped and patted the little flaming
face.
Down the richly carpetcd steps,
through the broad hall. ont into the park
and on along the pike FASTENED the man
with his precious bundle, his $500 baby.
He did not 90 TO the blacksmith shop
or the bachelor quarters behind it, but
directly TO that little whitcwashcd cot
tagc where lived the old woman who
had been rescued from the poorhousc
He went into the house and laid the
baby Oh the bed.
Granny, he called softly, Gran
N.Y.
She came In slowly from tho kitchen,
shading her old eyes.
Don't You think You kin nur,,o "a lit
tie baby till she's wcll?"
The old woman fell on her knees DO
side the bed, she gathered the baby
close i'll her arms, she swaycd to and fro
as if she We're rocking it. The apathy
had vanished from her face; it was rs
glad as sunshine.
"I'll nuss her till she gifts we'll, " she
sobbed, 'or We'll die together -
Six months had passed away 1t was
on a beautiful afternoon in the SPRING
time. All the roses III Two Hills were
abloonL a carriage drawn by two
splendid bays came Gathering up tho
village street. The great people had re-
turned.
Sitting i'll the doorstep of little
whitewashcd cottage was small yell
low haired girl. She was swinging her
feet and singing mt the top of her voice
Above her the red roses trailWl them
selves luXuriously.
The lady looked out and waved her
hand and smiled. The child stopped
singing and stared.
She doesn't know me-" said tho
great lady, with half sigh and laugh
But the yellow haired girl rose from
the doorstep with alacrity, ran into the
cottage and laid her head in the old