The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-07-10

pipes, Mary CHANGED to hear few
| words that arrested her attention.
"Ill have to go, father; the old place
won't keep las now. Ny crop of to-
| bacco on the bottom last year was our
main income But dare say III fiod
something to do that will pay and I'll
fix things for you all the best | can.
| 1t is what I've been wanting
| Going away, Joe, their brave, mali-
| ly Joe, who had even at the age of Iii
teen shouldered his burden without i
word! And now, at twenty-five, he
was going to leave them. Mary sat
| Town upon the nearest chair am
buried her face in her hands.
| IT WAS tor Iue, TO please me, that
| this has I'LL come about. oh, dear,
| wish l had never seen the piano,
never, for | can't play or sing either.
very well. Joe must not go; it would
kill father and mother. How can
stop him."
Mr. Ferris, the wealthy and pros per
3ous neighbor of Mr.. Brabap, was in
MS sitting room alone when girl was
shown in by old Aunt Nancy, the col
ored cook
Good evening, Miss Mary" he said
| pleasantly Come in; Lou and her
mother have just driven off toward
| town, | believe"
| Il am very glad" said Mary, blunt
| ly. flor it is you that | want to see. =
Mr.. Ferris was astonished, but he
| politely bowed, with Il smiling uncon-
| sciousness of anything unusual, and
wheeled forward rocking chair.
Mary took it and removed her sun
bonnet, which she had worn, though
| the sun had long since gone to sleep
! md the stars were shining. She was
| very fair, and the attitude of humilia-
ton she assumed, with the shy color
coming and going, was felt somewhat
| by the shrewd business man waiting
SO calmly for her to proceed.
MIR. Ferris, you know how good
Joe is"
II do. He's one of our brave Ken
lucky boys all through"
He's going away"
ooh, is that all? have often won
dered at his patience, but | knew
about the old folks. l suppose he
thinks he can leave them now with
you. He is not to blame in wishing to
90 out into the world"
But it's all on my account and that
hateful piano. cTleU mary. WAS
SO foolish and father yielded, and the
old farm won't pay now"
Mr.. Ferris was silent.
Mr.. Ferris, couldn't you
wouldn't you buy that piano for Lou,
tnd-and let me give the money back
to father"
But Lou has ii piano
AN old one, yes. She tried mine
tho nt har 5av and chp "a i'll IL NUaS En
lovely, and-father bought it because
he loved Inc, can't you do the same.
There should be a reduction of course
If you don't think you can, don't tell
them, please; it would make them un-
happy"
Mr. Ferris reflected a moment. He
knew all about the whole affair, and
had laughed about the sale of the
land to his daughter; but with tear
full Mary before him he did not feel
like laughing. lie was exceedingly
close about money matters; still, he
loved his daughter; if she cared to
have the piano he was quite willing.
II will speak to Lou about it and
let you know tomorrow.
The next ev hing, when Joe came
in from the field, Mary crept up be-
hind him and held roll of bills over
his shoulder.
Why, Mary, where
I've sold my piano. ] wasn't cut
out for musician either by position
or talents Take it Joe, and give it
TO father
Three hundred and fifty dollars -
said the astouished Joe, carefully roll
ing the bills up. I'D like to know
how Won managed -
Mary told him shyly.
Then You are not so mad at John
as you were -
No, saw him this afternoon; it
was LOUIS father who told her; quite
natural, you see; and-and Joe,
think that piano will come back into
Il possession of the Brabans, after
all"
They are too poor"
They are not One of them, at
least, is rich in real worth. | am
very happy. and know you will be.
-W1rqyjeU