The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-02-19
1hiS1ellanenus.
THE FALSE SUMMONS.

The red curtains were drawn, the fire
blazed cheerily on the hearth, and the
click of the sleety rain against the
window panes ouly seemed to heighten
the enjoyment within, where a shaded
lamp gave out its serene glow and the
pictured folds of an ancient Chinese
screen shut all possible and impossible
draughts away from the ruddy fire
side.
Doctor Field set on one side, with
the newspaper in his lap; Mrs. Field
sat on the other, TRANQUILITY occupied
in darning stockings, while a chubby
year old lay asleep i'll its crib, Just
where the freight touched it's curls
with fleeting glimpSes of gold.
well" said the doctor, letting the
newspaper slip down to the floor,
this is comfortable. | don't often
get an evening at home since-Hello
What's that? Some one knocking at
the kitchen door
Mrs. Field rose and answered the
summons. Presently she came back.
Its Milo York, DOCTOR said she.
Milo York, eh?n Doctor Field S
countenance darkened as he spoke.
Didn't | tell Milo York never to dark
en- my door again.
But he's hungry, my.dear,n plead
ed the gentle woman, and homeless.
Mr.. Evarton has turned him away,
and"
II don't blame Mr.. Evarton,n tartly
interrupted her husband. "A miser-
it BILE drunken loafer, who"
Il don't think he has been drinking
tonight. He looks pale and tired,
He says he has not had anything to
eat since noon, and has no place to
sleep"
That's 20 affair of mine retorted
Doctor Field, who, though free-hearted
and Hospitality inclined in general,
had hardened his heart like flint
against this particular specimen of
humanity.
Mrs. Field still hesitated.
What shall l tell him. she asked.
Tell him to go about his business
returned the doctor, energetically
stirring the fire until a stream OF
sparks flew up the chimney.
Mrs. Field closed the door and went
back to the kitchen porch.
Milo said she, my husband will
have nothing to say to you
"Idon't blame him much" defect
ediy responded Milo York, who was,
| lIlueSNl, dll OpJCS1
with his unkempt hair hanging over
h brow. his garments in rags and the
end of his nose chilled and purpled
with the bitter night air.
But it's dreadful night" softly
added Mrs. Field. Wait out here
the porch will shelter you from the
rain. The coffee pot is on the stove
vet, and I'll bring you plate of bread
| and cold meat and a bowl of coffee.
"Thankee, ma am said the tramp,
gathering himself, like heap of rags,
| into the corner to wait.
He drank his coffee and ate his sup.
per like famished hound, and then
Mrs. Field gave him an old tattered
shawl, long since cast aside by her
| husband.
Take this" she said, land lie down
in the barn loft, there's plenty of good
sweet hay there. But be sure you're
off before the doctor comes out in the
morning"
"Thankee, ma'am," again replied
the man; and he disappeared like a
shadow into the bowling tempest.
Where have you been all this
timer suspiciously queried the doctor
| as his wife came into the the softly
illuminated arch of the Chinese screen
again.
Mrs. Field turned scarlet under his
penetrating glance.
IL only gave Milo little some
thing to eat and drink she faltered.
You know the good book says, Turn
not away thy face from the poor
manr'
Yes" dryly coughed the doctor
"but | guess tho Good Book didn't
make any allowance for tramps. And
| tell you, Dolly, it isn't safe to harbOl
these miserable wretches, with Aunt
Dorothy's silver tea set in the house
let alone your own spoons and forks
especially as am obliged to be sc
much from home"
Mrs. Field sewed Oh in silence; she
was almost sorry she had told poor
Milo York about that snug corner il
the hay loft, but she lacked courage
to confess the whole thing to hel
husband.
1T will be all right. l dare say
she told herself. But Milo York
musn' come hanging around here any
| more
In the dead of the tempestuous
tors night bell Old Mrs. Castletor
| was very I'LL ' iDS' pSlAapS L liz
doctor was wanted at once.
With a yawn, our good Esculapius
rose out OF his warm bed, dressed
himself. and, saddling old Roam, SET
on his midnight ride of six long miles
But when he reached Castleton Court
all was still and dark. He rang two
or three times before a night-capped
head popped out of the window-that
pf tho old Suuira himself
Dear, dear" said Squire CastletoL
What is the matter? Nobody ill,
hope
in surprise. Didn't you send for me?'
No, l didn't, and if you've got any
thing more to say you'd better come
in out of this storm and say it."
Mo- said doctor Field setting his
teeth together, III not come in, thanl;
you"
1T amt joke, is it?''
Pm afraid it's something more Sc
rious than joke. Good night
Turning old ROan's head the doctor