The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-12-22
CHAPTER XII.

On the afternoon of the 5th of De-
cember, 1893, Stanton stood upon the
wharf at New York.
He went first to florists. Then re-
peating Miss Braddon's words, 'sI want
to be alone" he went to hotel and took
a room without registering.
1t was useless precaution, however,
for the morning papers announced his
arrival in way to indicate Miss Brad
don's prophecy correct.
His Office was besieged when he
reached it in the morning. He was
astonished that business men could be
so cordial. In spite of every effort, it
was noon before he reached his home,
where Sam and his wife made their
timid greetings as expressive as they
dared.
They were amazed by the hearty re-
sponse they received, for since his baby
days they had never known the young
master say so much and say it so kind
ly to them.
There were many messages and
cards of welcome. DR.. Borden had al
ready called, and left word that he
should call again. The good man might
chide his friend if he thought him in
the wrong, but he was enough of true
that.
One envelope Stanton caught eagerly
from the pile and with it hurried to his
room. There he opened it and in blank
astonishment stood staring at the card
it contained.
Across the center was the name "Es-
ther Thorndike." In the corner was
Mr.. Braddon's home address, and above
the name was written: Jeremiah 40:4."
''She might have said what she had
to say without theehelp of Jeremiah, :
he muttered, and, folding his arms,
stood looking down at the little card
as it lay on the table. 1t must have
been for some time that he stood there,
and the knife was cutting deep, for
tears glistened in his eyes, when tap
on'the door reused him and Sans white
head appeared.
Sam had come with simple message
from his wife concerning the hour
when the master would have the first
meal served; but the sight of the mas
ter's face obliterated it, simple as it
was, and to an incoherent effort on
Sans part to say something, Stanton
replied:
Bring me Bible, SAM"
Sans wife stood anxiously waiting
at the foot of the stairs, for she pro-
posed to have that first meal the master
piece of her life.
"He don't seem to want to eat, M ria, y
Sam said, when he was safely landed at
the bottom. "His arms was folded and
his hair standin' up, and when asked
him how 'twould be bout eatin', says
ne: Bring me Bible, SAM Now, do
you go fish one up, M'ria, an fish it live
ly; for he didn't look like he cared to
wait for one to grow out in the garden
The good woman knew the locality
Of everything In the house except the
books. Books without pictures had no
charms for her.
1t happened, however, that there was
one Bible, colossal affair, oyerbur-
dened with illustrations, resting upon
plush cushion, under embroidered
velvet, in the library. In calmer mo-
ments she might have recalled the
whereabouts of some smaller copy, for
there were Bibles enough about the
| house; but her mind was centered on
soups, broiled chicken and condiments
pies, cakes and puddings, with bread
turned upside down in the oven for just
a last touch of brown on the bottom
She recalled only this one copy, and
started for it at rolling waddle which
really was not resultant in such rapid
transit as her ordinary gait, but was
more In harmony with the general idea
of haste.
She busted the huge volume with her
apron and came back to Sam, bending
under the burden.