The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-08-16

streaks of verdigris on it, and the
queer t1ourishes and the letter H all
done In querlicues and thing-majigS
on the top
| Ben, said Honora, stopping to eX-
anime it, Its justsu one as l can
remem Der at my grand'nother's in the
| old country-only in those days it
used to shine like gold, and had IL
long turned handle with a string to
hang it up by. Where did you get it,
| Ben p
"At an old house in 18th street,
where they were overhauling and
cleaning up. The butler sold me the
old things. Oh, [ tell you, Nora, it
was a fine house Eli? What's the
matter, Puss? p
For Nora had turned pale, and be-
gan to tremble.
Ben, said she, dear Ben, don't
laugh at me, but when | look at this
brass warming the old hills and
the old house rise up before my eyes,
and / can almost hear my mothers
voice again. Let us go to this place,
Ben. Let us see if this butler man
don't know something of the people
at home. For I'm sure-quite sure
Ben, That this is the very shining
pun, WIFI lllS lSbGeE II lOT I1OuSu,
that used to hang on the wall at
home"
"But it can't be. Nora" said Ben.
why can't it be, Benz
"Well, to please you, my girl. I'll
take you there tomorrow" said Ben.
Not that l think it'll be any use.
Look at the lot O. picter books. l got
'em cheap. | thought you could pick
out something for the boy before we
turned 'em over for paper stock"
who is that, John? Whose voice
is that | hear?'
Il beg pardon, sir | hope it amt
disturbed YOU said the butler, apol-
ogetically. Its person in the rag
and-bottle business, sir, as | made
bold to dispose of some of the old
household utensils. You was kind
enough to tell me, sir -''
But here Honora pushed herself
valiantly forward, holding the brass
implement like golden shield before
her, for she had polished it brilliantly
until now it shone and glittered brave
ly.
1T was this old-fashioned warming
PAM said she. please sir, Pm al
most sure it used to hang on the home
walls in County Cavan when was
girl"
And who are you ?' asked the tall
old man with the sparkling light blue
and the duke of Wellington nose who
stood towering in the doorway.
Il am Mrs. Carey, sir. Born Homo
"a Hough ~ simply explained the girl.
"Honora Hough, who came over in
the Merchant Prince, July9, 1S-, and
who disappeared unaccountably,
leaving no trace behind her - said the
old man.
Yes, sir, came over in the Mer-
chant Prince, July 9, Is admitted
Hornora, with q little gasp. ''And-I
think you must be my Uncle Warren,
for your eyes are like my mothers,
and when you speak to me my heart
answers back to the tone of your
voice.
She went up to him and put her
hand confidently in his. He bent
over and kissed her.
L believe said he you are the girl
we have looked for SO long. My dear,
| buried your aunt month ago.
and in my heart Who should fill it
like my sisters child? Will you come
here and live, little Nora?'
oh, | couldn't leave Ben said
Honora, quickly.
Who is Benz
My husband
Woman, do you suppose | want to
part wife and husbandr said the old
man, Il twinkle of humor in his shrewd
eyes. - fine, frank faced young
fellow he seems to be, as he extended
his hand to Ben. You and yours are
welcome here
Ben Carey smiled.
There's baby, too said he, that
we couldn't very well leave behind
| said you and yours, repeated the
tall old man. 'Enderby, to the amaz-
ed butler, call cab for the lady to
go back for her child, and get the
front rooms ready for my niece and
her family. And now, tell me, Honora,
how it was that we missed you when
we went to Palace Garden for you
that day?n
i don't know, uncle, said Honora.
4 waited there twenty-four hours and
no one came, and then took place
with Ben's mother, and afterwards,
| married Ben
It's perfectly unaccountable,' said
her uncle, knitting his brows until
they made a level line of snow. But
never mind, SO long as you are here
now. The bureau of emigration
should be more eflicient-that is all.
For neither uncle nor neice knew
anything of the smouldering cigar
spark and the fire which had been so
promptly extinguished by the fire de-
partment. A trifie i'll itself-such
things happen daily in Il great city
yet it had wrought great changes in
Honora's life.
And if hadn't been in the rag
business, said honest Ben, my wife
here, never would have come into her
fortune