The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-03-17
TOWSON, MD. SATURDAY, MARCH 1900.

Miss Everill wondered that her heart
should beat so quickly at the sound
of his name. She had resolved to ac-
cept Lord Arthur. He was rich
much richer than she-and quite at
the top of the social ladder. Certain
ly she did not love him I; he was hard
ly man whom any one could respect.
Anyhow, she did not respect him,
and yet she would marry him. They
were uncongenial spirits, she knew,
but what of that?
In such mood she was going one
night to great ball given by one of
the most fashionable women in Lon
don. Lord Arthur would be there,
and probably she would say yes to
his p1eadings that night. She rather
thought she would as she stood be-
fore mirror when her maid had Civ
en- the Gsaiolaing touches to her toilet.
She had on a white silk dress, and
pearls were on her neck and amid her
dusky hair she was radiantly beau-
tifu1.
"Six years ago !" she murmured,
"Six years and more since Ralph
Crosby said"
She turned away. Now and again
feeling came over her that she could
not understands feeling that her
wealth and her beauty were not to
bring her happiness and she had
grown impatient with herself for feel
ing SO. Generally at such times she
was even graver than ever, and when,
some hours later, Lord Arthur sat by
her side in a convenient recess in
Lady Javenell's conservatory, he felt
that he could almost die for her.
There was something in her beauty
that night-a sadness in the dark eyes
behind their mirth-that he could not
understand.
Elizabeth" he whispered, "say
Yes =" and just then the sound of
voices reached them.
"And Crosby, the artist, you know,
is blind"
"Blind p
"Quite. He consulted Reynolds
yesterday; his case is hopeless
"Poor begger! What will he do
now?"
81 don't know. He has not a
penny. He has never steadied him
self to work for years. Somebody
told me of a girl who had Tilted him,
or something"
Miss Everill rose.
Lord Arthur, l hope you will
never speak to me like that again."
Lord Arthur bowed. He knew that
further pleading would be useless.
Very early the following morning
Miss Everill's carriage stopped at
Ralph Crosby's chambers, and Eliza
beth was informed that he was at
home. She gave no name, but enter
ed the room where he was.
heard for SIX long years, but he recog-
nized it at once, and turned his sight
less eyes toward her.
Elizabeth |" he cried, rapturou-
ly, opening his arms, and i'll an instant
she was folded in them.
"But you must not, Elizabeth" he
said later, "you must not sacrifice all
for me-"
"It is no sacrifice" she replied,
composedly "but I am dreadfully
afraid that 1 had to ask you to marry
me Iwonder what Mr.. Northbrooke
will say when he hears this?" and
she laughed.
"What fools women are !" was
what the old lawyer said on being ap-
prised of it, and he drew large en-
velope from among number of pa
pers that were in large box before
him.
1t was addressed in Miss Thorne's S
very maculine caligraphy, to himself,
and written i'll one corner were the
words
"To be opened in the event Of my
niece's marriage"
Inside was a will, properly signed
and witnessed, and the old lawyer S
face cleared as he glanced at it. There
was also an open letter addressed to
Miss Everill.
eff you have sold yourself, my
niece, take the price of your slavery.
If you have been honest enough to
marry for love, take your reward. In
either case Glenthorne is yours.
Heaven bless ME p the lawyer
exclaimed Heaven bless me |!
There's no understanding a woman !
I'm heartily glad, anyhow; and now
must go and tell these two that they
won't be beggars after all. !"