The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-04-06

WILL YOU TAKE THIS WITH THE HOPE THAT
YOU WILL DO BETTER?"
humbly back that their perfumed skirts
might not brush his soilcd garments, and
little did they realize that TO the half
starved soul of the poor fellow on the
lower step the sight of them was like
burst of spring, filling his heart with radi-
ant warmth and the memory of happier
days SO long ago.
Look, Nell" said one, blushing and
holding out a tiny hand for inspection.
"Ah, how lovely" and Nell bent over
glistening jewel on the little finger.
From Jack?"
A shy nod gave assent. and as they
passed on their eager young voices came
back to him like sweet music.
"And l once had sweetheart" he
unused with sigh. "and | gave her a
ring too. l remember that l kissed her
little hand when placed it on that night.
All, that night-the sweetness of it.!
Where is the little ring now, ! wonder,
and-where is she?"
A woman's voice hoated out to him
from an open window softly humming the
refrain from that old serenadc:
Good night, ladies,
We're going to leave you now.
$50 long ago." he murmured, staring
with eyes that saw not at the pavement
beneath his feet-"so long ago! | sang
that beneath her window once"
The sweet strains of the closing. nm
them fioated across - him Ike benedic-
ton. Involuntaril. ne b. ed his head.
The ushers threw icn tbs doors of the
church, and the ,rShipers poured into
the street. AS they hurried past they
glanced at Xerxes. some with curiosity,
some with pity, some disdainfully. "All
sorts and conditions of NELL" he unused
as they went by-old men, young men,
self important youths and earnest stu.
dents; mischievous boys and grandsires
in their dotage: matrons, maids and spin
sters, all giving a glance, but rarely one
of kindness, to the shabby figure on the
lower step.
A deacon with unsmiling face and
sanctlnonious men went gravely on his
reverend way. benignly letting fall on orl
tattered friend n superior glance, which
prompted him ironically to quote: "Neri
ly. Lord! thank thee that am not a:
other men!"
Then rotund little business man
whose faultless broadcloth and pompou!
air bespoke the successful tinancier. stop
ped before Nerxes and patroniZiIgly In
quired:
"Why don't you go where you belong
my good man,"
"Bccausc." TRANQUILITY. Pm trying t.
be n better man and know | could prof
oy the example of good, charitable
Kind hearted Christian like you!"
A gentle voice made him turn. and
sweet faced old woman with silver hal
pressed a coin into his hand as she said
You are in need, my poor fellow. Wi!
| you take this with TIE hope that you ma
do better!'
| "Hcavcn bless you. lady" he said.
he stood before her and barred his head
Heaven bless you always for IL k!Edi
word to a poor ncrc-du-well and for re
calling the face of his dear mother"
| There were IL misty look in his eye an
thrill of happiness in his heart Ion
after she had gone.
BLESS her" he said. 'lf there wcr
more like her, the new woman woui
never have been bora"
Hello. there. Is you tir. d. And Il rad
ant little vision with the hlGcst of Cyt
and the sunneSt tangic of flying curl;
world of mischief in the roguiSh laus.
and O wealth Of love for everybody in ii