The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-12-30
"Lawyer Morton is thinking up hi

he met and passed without recognition, 10
the other; but Mary Morton, Watching that
slow moving figure, and straining her eyes
to distinguish the stern, bent face, mutter-
ed to herself:
''He remembers the day He remem-
bers it -
Then she dropped the curtain, and seiz-
ing book, seated herself beside the fire
in her usual low chair. There her hus-
band found her when he presently enter
/ ed, and, with muttered word of greet
ing, began moodily to pace up and down
the room with bent head and folded arms.
The tea-bel rang, and silently the two
sat down to an elegantly appointed and
/ delicately served table; but neither fragrant
Peko or dainty food had taste or SAVIOR to
either of those somber guests, and after the
pretence of meal, Mr. Morton glanced
impatiently at his wife. absorbed in con-
temptation Of her empty teaeup, and,
pushing back his chair, muttering some
I thing about an engagement, and presently
I lef, the house
Mrs Morton looked after him with eyes
full Of anguish, and sat until the servant,
/ impatient to reach her own evening en-
gagemenis, began 10 move the tea equipage
/ from before her. Then, rising mechani-
eaIly, she went back TO the parlor. and
sinking again into the low chair, sat star
ing az the fire, thinking her own bitter
,houghts while the sad hours wheeled
slowly BY. each bringing its bitter memory
its mouTniul burden
The servants returned home and went
to bed and as the mantel clock chimei
eleven, Mrs Morton rose with deep sigh,
aai whispering
He would rather not fnd me ap when
be CONES home
She was preparing 10 20 upstairs when
a tiut knock sounded on tle panels of the
door, a, the end Of the side ball made her
pauSe with nervous start, aud stand look
I ing toward i; in strange dismay.
Why should il come to that door, that
niourpful door through which ber whole
life had passed away ioar wears asO this
very night Did spirits GENE, indeed, to
roproagh and remind those who wrougel
them Of
The knock was repeated little louder
and summonins eli her self command, Mrs
Merton ven, forward, and inquired
Who Is il? Speak
4 feeble vuioe made s,me untcIligihle
answer. bat !: was az least human voice,
and an unfamiliar voice. instead Of those
aoecnis the listener had half hoped half
dreaded to hear. and with feeling Of relief
she drew back the bolJs and opened the
door
A iim, eoweTiug 6gure ssopd upon the
stcgs, aad the black. ICY egld of the ligh,
swept around and over it. and rushed
through the open door as if it had BEEN
( che true outcast imuI0risg shelter. and has
ing once obtained entrance would make
/ the laNuriaus home its own
Mar Morton drew back with a shud5er
aud little imyatien,ly asked
..Wba; Is il What ID you want ?
80 cold, lady; aud there Is 30 plsce to
sleep and the baby crses and 4. hungry
/ | fear lssi Be shoald BE- dead When mora
ins comes again
\ habs and shelterlsss this bitteE
gh,. exclaimed the laiy Come in
directly. you poor creature, aud le, me
shat the door
Painfully. apl With the slow motion OF
one .sifFensi BY long exposure TO the cold,
the woman ebeyed. and followed Mr.
/ Merton % the kitchen, where q good mrs
still remained ia the stove, beside which
I Mrs M0rtoa placed her in a comfortable
chair, aud then busied herself in preparing
.a,ae no; tea, and placing some hOs food
upon the table. The ioa vas eagerly az
cesci, but the food refused with mur-
mur,,l thanks aad the excuse
''Too much cold 60 all over the 10 ears
about eating Woald lie il ] had no;
looked tor place 10 pat the baby
'ise; me see ;he baby Yoa have Ho'
Uncovered i, yet said Mrs. Morton, sud
lcaly, and the wonau smiled, faint,
sseet ,sails, ol comprehension.
oh be- r. not dead, said she Il
| feel his huls breathia. al the time upon
my hand
She uncovered his face a. she spoke; a
/ peor. pale. wee little face, such as hunger
cold exposure make for their own, and
yes sith ar. impress of natural beauty not
4 to be eradicated.
From the baby Mrs Morton looked Al
the mother more aitentiyeiy than she had
vet done. and was shocked al the traces
Of suffering aud want plainly written upon
a face that should have been one ef uncom-
mon beauty, in the dark and rich style ol
a warmer climate aud kinder influence.
than those Of our Northern region.
s'You are foreigner. are YOU not
asked she, kindly.
ssYes, madame | came from Italy
4 sharp pain sho, through the listener
heart, and turning away, she walked
swiftly TO the other side of the room,
trifed with something upon a table, then
wiped some tears from her eyes, aud wa:
returning toward the young girl, fondly
hanging ever her baby now, when the
front door opened aud shut violently; steps
came through the hall and down the stains,
aud MIR. Morton stood in the doorway,
sternly regarding the group beside the fire.
'What is all this, Mary ]? demanded
he, presently who is this woman, and
what are you doing with her2
"A poor homeless, shelterless young
woman with little baby, John, replied
his wife, entreatingly. have given her
some food aud warmed her, and now am
going to prepare bed for her, here be
side the fire. and keep her until morning.
No; she shall not stay here
And as he spoke, John Morton turned
Il white, stern look upon his wife face, a
look that seldom failed of winning instant
obedience from those who met it. Bat
she had suffered too long and too much
this whole day and evening TO feel any
thing very keenly now, and only raised heI
eyes inquiringly as she said
But we cannot turn her out to die this
bitter night, Mr. Morton
This bitter night Is it any bitterer
than the New Years eve four years ago
You were not so considerate then,
As the cruel taunt fell upon her ear,