The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-12-03

50 deeply. She arrived at New Street
about 4 O clock in the afternoon, and
popping her head out of the window she
saw the stalwart figure of Walter Fawcett
waiting for her on the platform. She
thought him much improved since she
had seen him last, almost fifteen years be-
fore. He was a fine, handsome, happy
looking person, with face which at once
inspired trust. He caught sight of her
presently, and came forward, raising his
| hat.
Chow do you do, Miss Bartram? |
am very glad to see you. Nina would have
come, too, but baby was troublesome last
night, and persuaded her to stop and take
a rest, so that she would be bright and like
herself when you arrived
''You are very kind, Walter Fawcett
and have never deserved it at your
hands, said the old lady grufly. He
only smiled, carefully assisted her to alight,
and took all her numerous wraps on his
arm Very soon he had her comfortably
settled in the Stourbridge train, and as the
carriage was very full they got small op-
portunity of talking during the short jour
ney. When they got at their destination
there was Il cab awaiting them, into which
Walter again handed the old lady carefully.
1--WE hope to have carriage some day,
Miss Bartram, but not yet awhile. There's
a grand opening at our works just now; [
only wish | could take it.
.'What is it?'' she asked sharply.
''One Of the younger partners has died,
and his share is to be sold. They offered
it to me, and l could have had twenty
years to pay it in; but | didn't see my
way, and Nina thought we should be better
plodding along quietly -
No, Walter; | don t know that. Big
ventures pay. How much do they want
for it ?''
.'Oh, | shouIdn like to tell you-only
Il matter of $50, 900, I believe. Well,
here we are; it ism long drive, and
there Nina at the door.
At this the old lady began to tremble
violently, and her eyes filled with unwonted
tears; for there was nothing but loving
kindness and compassion on here niece s
sweet face as she came running to meet
her. Although she was now the mother
of five children she scarcely looked day
older
"Welcome, Aunt Bartram; we are all
very glad to see you. Here are all the
children ready to tell you so.
They all came crowding round her, max
md
and gentle that poor Miss Bartram was al
most overcome, and felt like telling them
on the spot that she was nothing but Il
fraud When Nina took her up TO the
pretty guest chamber with its bright fire,
and showed her what the little hands had
done to make it cheerful for her-Lucy's
| cherished Christmas rose on the dressing
table, and Dick S poker work table which
he had made for his mother, and Of which
he was inordinately proud-the lonely old
woman felt more and more ashamed; for
she had often thought and said hard things
of these simple, homely, hard-working
people who had thought the world well lost
for love; and here they were the true gold
after all
Space forbids me to describe the events
of the next few weeks. OF te describe the
manner in which Christmas was spent at
Whitley End 1t was a pretty, old-fash-
ioned house, and in the field behind the
house there was glorious duck pond where
the young Fawcetts enjoyed themselves
immensely during the frost. They even
persuaded Aunt Bartram to try on a pair
of skates, and she became astonishingly
frivolous and happy, so that often her niece
regarded her with amazement. She could
; scarcely believe this Undetermined, ami
able woman, grateful for every small ser
vice rendered, to be the same grim, sour,
domineering one she had known in her
early days.
1.-THE uses of adversely have been sweet
to Aunt Bartram, Walter, said Nina to
her husband one night after they went up
stairs
'EShe is certainly most amiable, dear, -
Walter answered. ''Have you thought
what is to become of her if there is so little
left as she expected p
''T have thought, of course, that it might
be our duty to ask her to remain here, y
said Nina with sigh; ''but am so afraid
to spoil the children's happiness. You
know we have always agreed that we ought
to make them as happy as possible now,
because of the troubles we cannot bear for
them later.
'But the children are devoted to her,
Nina, and she to them.
Just now, Walter; but it mi ght be a
different matter if she were always here.
Then there are all the other relatives.
The Gillmans are much better off than we
are. "
'sBut they won have her, dear. You
heard her say so Don forget that she
is your aunt, dear, and was kind to you
once Besides, she is sad, lonely old
woman without any friends.
"Oh, Walter, I do think you are the
best man in the, whole wide world, cried
Nina, as she threw her arms round his
neck. ''And to think that she ever dared
to think you were not good enough for
poor little me I'll speak to her to-mor-
row.
Nina Fawcett slept soundly that night
with the happy consciousness of duty shared
and kind act about to be done. Next
morning, after Walter had gone to business
and the children off to school, it being now
the second week in January, Nina opened
the conversation with the old lady, as she
sat contentedly in the most comfortable
chair by the fire.
''Aunt Bartram, she said trife
nervously, "Walter and were talking of
you last night, and if things should turn
out as badly as you expect we will be very
glad if you will come here and make your
home with us; we will do our best to make
you happy. [ don't think you mind the
children as feared you would. IT,
Misc Rartran, did not snnaE word hut