The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-01-13
ESTABLISHED 1880

nodded sm1hngly to the girl, who
nodded back, and when the swarthy
man looked up he nodded to him too
Amos leaned against a pile of lumber.
"Your load will be lighter on the
way back" he said to the girl.
eyes" she answered, "father al
ways has good appetite. +"
The swarthy man looked UP. He
nodded gravely to Amos.
"She good GIRL" he slowly said.
Come long way
eyes, said Amos, IN sure she's
a good girl"
The swarthy man looked around at
the object of his praise. There was
fondness in his glance.
"Smart girl, too, /" he said. "Teach-
er says smartest girl in English
school," He said this with some
difficulty, but with evident gratifca-
ton. s.
swift little blush.
Then the swarthy mans rough
voice grew softer.
"She all I got" he said.
II see, said Amos Brandon.
''Mutter dead, bruder dead, sister
dead. Only Lena left" He turned
a little and stroked the girls hand.
Something rose in the rich mans
throat, and a mist swan before his
eyes.
The swarthy man sinilingly looked
his child over from hat to shoes.
When he reached the shoes he
scowled.
"Bad shoes !'' he said. "Bad
shoes !"
The girl turned to Amos Brandon.
"Fathar thinks 1 should wear my
best shoes" she explained. "He
doesn't know how fast this walk
would wear them out.
"Best shoes p echoed the swarthy
man ; Eyes, yes, best shoes. He
looked at Amos Brandon. Then he
softly touched the girls shoulder
with a forefnger and struck himself
sharply OH the forearm and chest.
"She what I work for" he smiling
ly said.
"I must CO." remarked Amos
Brandon hurriedly. He paused and
stepped forward. II would like to
shake hands with you," he said to
the swarthy man, who met the ad-
vancing fingers with warm clasp.
Amos nodded to the girl and strobe
away.
There was cross town car waiting
for the signal to start. He caught it
and 20 minutes later opened the front
door of his home. The housekeeper
met him in the hall. Her anxious
face cleared.
"Glad you have returned, Mr.. Bran
don," she said. eve were begin
ming to worry little over your un-
usual absence"
"Out for an early stroll, Mrs. En-
erson," he said. Kindly have
breakfast ready IN half an hour.
He stepped into the library and
opened his desk. For a moment he
sat in deep thought. Then he rapid
ly indited this letter:
Ny Dear Mary Il find it is quite impossible to
hold out any longer. am growing old, and
need you, dear child. The door from which l
turned you two long, long years ago is open for
you and yours. You are all have in the world,
dear. Without you the house is cold and desc
of hat I al
years but for your Come back to me, daughter,
and all will be forgiven and forgotten. Tell your
husband that hearty handclasp awaits him.
Say to him that confess that sorely misjudged
him. Write to me, dear, as soon as you receive
this and tell me when to expect you and George.
AMOS BRANDON.
He looked at the letter when he
had finished it and shook his head
Then he carefully read it through.
Again he showed his disapproval.
After a moment or two he raised the
sheet and deliberately tore it to bits
of jagged paper and tossed them into
the waste basket.
"Pshaw," he snilingly muttered,
"that's too slow I'll hurry down
and telegraph Mary that I'm coming
for them, and then I'll follow by the
first train"
The housekeeper stood in the door
way.
Breakfast is ready, Mr.. Brandon, !"
she announced.
The rich man whir1ed toward her.
"Mrs. Emerson, he said, II want
you to put Mary's rooms into the
incest possible shape at once
The housekeeper started.
us Miss Mary coming home, sir !"
she eagerly asked.
eyes" /" said Amos Brandon, she's s
coming home y GeOeland Plain