The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-09-22

Presently the numbering old chariot
3 came TO Il stand still; but to Rachel's
: surprise, in front of no fairy cot, OF
! low-eaved editice surrounded by We
, randas and flowing parterres. 4
tumble-down, implanted farmhouse
) stood a little back from the road with
its shutters hanging loosely by one
hinge, and one or two scrubby lilac
bushes forlornly tossing their foliage
in the wind.
"How dreary it looks!n thought
Rachel, with a shudder, as she won
derei ii the coachman had really
meant to stop there. But Uncle Ben
at once seized his carpet-bag and UNI
prella.
Come, my dear" he said to Rach-
ell.
'Is this the placer she asked.
This is the place." Uncle Ben
answered, with sudden paroxysm of
coughing. "Gate's little out of
order" as that useful mode of ingress
became suddenly detached from its
sole remaining hinge and fell with a
crash to the ground, "but that's soon
set right with a screw-driver and half
a dozen screws"
! Alas, poor Rachel What were her
sensations as she looked blankly
around the neglected, dismal spot
which was the sole realization of her
fair dreams? This was the home
Uncle Ben had given them! And for
an instant our poor little heroine felt
~ if she could repei the unwelcome
gift, and tell Uncle Ben plainly that
she could not spend her days in a
howell like this.
Then came sober second thoughts.
| Uncle Ben had meant kindly; they
| were poor, and could not afford to dis
pense with even the meanest of roofs
over their heads. No, she must CRATE
fully accept the present in the spirit in
which it was given, and check in the
| bud all her rebellious and unamiable
repiniDgs.
Il told you it was a cottage, you
know. said Uncle Ben, keenly
scrutinizing her face, as they stood
on the doorstep waiting for the door
| to be opened.
Yes, KNOW" said Rachel, glanc-
ing around with frightened eyes.
That is very choice climbing rose
over the window, if it were only
trained properly"
Its rather lonesome" said Uncle
Ben.
1.-The draught seems to be poor"
said Rachel; but dare say it can be
altered"
II had no idea the ceilings were so
low" grunbled the old gentleman.
Its partly the effect of the large
pattern of the wall paper,'' said
Rachel, with a glance at the red and
green monstrosities. "A narrow
striped pattern will improve it.'
What queer little cupboards by
the side of the mantelm said Uncle
Ben.
"Oh, they will be nice for our best
china" said Rachel.
MY dear" said the old gentleman,
Il believe you are determined to be |
pleased. Do you really think you
shall like this placer"
II shall like any place where Hugh |
is" said Rachel, brightly.
She went all over the house with
the Old gentleman, planning improve
ments and suggesting and continuing,
until he really began to think she
would make an Arcadia out of the
tumble down old farm. And if she
shed q few tears on her pillow when
she went to rest, under the caves of
the roof in an apartment which must
have heen built for Tom Thumb,
Uncle Ben never suspected it.
There was a chariot at the door
when Rachel rose from her breakfast
of bread and butter and coffee, the
next morning.
Come, my Lass said the old gen.
tleman, Il want to show you place
further up the road, which has been
taken by friend of mine"
The drive, and the delicious Sep
IL l
tonic to our wearied little bride, and
a picture after the style of Vatican
awaiting them in the exquisite villa,
with its rose-clad bay windows, and a
picturesQuely sloping roof. Rustic
ircn chairs stood under the bowling
branches of the elms on the lawn, and
u marble Cupid holding up a carved
coDch-shel scattered bright rain into
q flower bordered basin directly in
front of the elegant gates.
"Oh, how beautiful ~ cried Rachel.
81 never saw such beautiful scarlet
geraniums in my life; and what a
lovely marble paved hall !"
you like the appearance
"Ob, yes; tits beautiful ~
Come in, my dear, and see how you
like the interior" said the old gentle
man, serenely.
1t was perfect, from the drawing
rooms with the superb Brussels carpet
and exquisite silk hangings, to the
in white and pink, like the
inside of a roses heart, and the fairy
conservatory, all stocked with camel
las, heliotrope and rare tuschias, at
the south end of the house.
Its like fairy land - cried Rachel,
enthusiastically. do tell me, Uncle
Ben, who is 10 live here?"
Uncle Ben turned around and faced
her.
You and Hugh, my dear, of
counsel"
But, Uncle" gasped little Rachel,
quite overwhelmed by this unexpected
good luck, 1.-The other house"
That's only little joke of mine.
This is the real home, and give it to
you with all the more pleasure, as
you were disposed to make the best
of the bad bargain you thought you
were in for. My dear, the contented
mind you possess is worth thousand
houses"
And Rachel felt something warm
and wet upon her cheeks, like tear,
as the old gentleman stopped to kiss
her.
When Hugh came home. to find his
little wife upon the veranda, all well
coming smiles to greet him, he ex-
claimed:
"Why, Uncle Ben, that is perfect
easket !"
But none too good FOR the little
Jewel that inhabits it," Uncle Ben
answered.
And Hugh read in the tone that his
young wife had won the capricious
old gentleman's heart.