The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-10-19


rily.
The tenth of August was perfect
day. and the evening sky was glorious
with fluffy clouds amid the rosy lights
of the dying day. Silas and Agatha
Baldwin sat on the new porch appar-
emily calm, although Agathas rocking
chair displayed its usual signal of agi-
tation, and Silas occasionally walked
across the porch, and then down to the
gate, and looked up the road.
"Stage n leetle late, Silas?" ques-
toned Agatha, at length. They had
ceased to talk. Words seemed useless.
Il dunno. Seems ez how it must be.
Most anythin' good nd seem late ter
night"
''I'll step in and light up now,
guess" said Agatha, rising; and. Silas
followed for no especial reason. The
stage from Westlea was late, and it
was dark before the rattle of it's
wheels was heard along the road 1t
stopped by the house, as Silas and
Agatha fastened to throw open the
door, and peered out into the dark
ness, seeing nothing. Then an mex
lldlheOlC lCCllllS liClNl OliVill w tllO
porch, as they heard voices from the
stage. They would have their greet
ing after it had driven away, but Silas'
shaking voice spoke Notwithstanding:
as that you, Sily?"
Eyes, father, in moment" came a
strong mans voice, and the two old
people grasped each others hand. The
gate was pushed open just then, and
up the short plank walk ran a little
child followed by another of the same
size. is this g'anpa?" said the first
rs this g'anma?" said the second, and
before the old people could move, the
two little children had climbed the
step to their side and put up their lit
tie hands fora greeting, and exclaimed
in q chorus. Use Aggie;" "Fse little
silly"
'Yes, father" said his sons voice
that moment, entering the porch with
a pale little woman on his arm, cts
all true. This is your daughter Mary,
and this is my investment have come
TO carry on"
Agatha Baldwin's face was on her
husbands shoulder. Silas with his
AcAltto DSAlllNl lIIllS lOOhCtt oGl Dig nv DS-
fore him at his son, then at the woman
by his side; then at the two children
who had run back to their father and
mother, awed by their reception. Then
Silas spoke.
"Sily boy, fore Heaven and all that's
good, is-this all right? All as-it
should be?"
Young Silas Baldwin left his wife's
side, who had grown paler, and step
ping close to his father and mother he
took hand of each before replying.
"Father-mother, before Heaven
and all that is good, it is all right; is
all that it should be. You know told
you that your boy silly was odd, but
that he was not bad And now have
you not a welcome for your daughter
Mary, for Aggie and little silly and for
your son?''
"And it's all right, silly, boy, it's all
right" said Silas that evening a score
of times, land these uns are Aggie
and little Silly" as he sat with one on
each knee, upon my soul! who'd
Unknown they wasn't both boys or
both gals, in their dresses! An, Mary,
p'r'aps l amt treated You decent, but
you see | amt used to havin daugh
ter; but nobody could be gladden."
and, bending over her, he gave her a
tender kiss which proved seal of
mutual affection. His son Silas ex-
planned his position. His first year in
the west had been an unsuccessful
search for a successful opening. Then
when it came and he was established
on a small salary he fell in love with
Mary Grey. There was promise of adj
vancement and Mary and he were per-
suaded they could be happy together
on but little. So it proved, even after
the twins came. For Mary, small and
frail as she was, was q true helpmeet
in courage and encouragement, and
he often felt if it were not for the
bright home of two rooms, poorly but
cheerily furnished, to which he re-
turned at night, met by loving well
come and little warm arms, he should
have gone adrift. He had kept the
marriage from his parents at first
like the odd boy he was, know
isfactorily. Then it grew easy not
TO mention III, 10 Wrlle SELDOM
and to deal in generalities. But when
he saw the climate of White Springs
leaving it's marks on Mary, her face
becoming pale and her manner list
less, he began to bestir himself. OPP
portunities occurred, advantageous to
his leaving, and he found he could
busy himself, with occasional visits
west, in Breton Center. "But the
business l wanted the rooms for, you
can understand now mother" he con-
Guided, looking around at Mary and
the two babies curled up on the sofa.
SLY, boy, you couldn't a-planned
better. You didn't tell us, we know.
Mebbe 'twasn't right-mebbe twas
only odd; but We'll let bygones be by
cones, as it has turned out. We was
saved more worryin' than we did"
So Silas Baldwin, Junior, with Mary
and the twins, set up his business in
the new ell, and in the large new room
in the new main house, welcome sur
prise to the son. And old Silas' eyes
twinkled harder than ever especially
when silly came within their range of
vision, and Agatha's curls shook stead
lily over little Aggie's irresistible ways.
Helen j. Wilder, in Interior.