The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-07-26
DR.. GORDoN's DIPLOMACY.

Finished at last p said Ramona
Grey, wearily as she laid the exqui-
site white satin gown on the square
bed.
1t was Grace Avery's wedding
dress, and worthy of the fair bride
who would wear it. For weeks Ra-
mona had worked with skilled fin
gers. 1t had been labor of love as
we'll as necessity, for Ramona was
fond of Grace.
Ramona leaned back in the old
fashioned rocker and closed her eyes.
She was very weary; she would rest
few minutes. The clock ticked
solemnly, the bright wood fire form
ed strange pictures. The house was
small and neat. 1t was the house
she was born in, where her parents
had died.
Fifteen years before, Ramona had
been beautiful girl, the belle of the
village. Roger Graham, handsome
young farmer, asked her to marry
him. The wedding day was set, and
the bridal gown, of rich white satin,
SO like Grace Avery's, was ready for
Ramona to try on.
She stood before the old-fashioned
pier glass in her girlish beauty, Roger
gazing admiringly at her. Suddenly
there was a scream, a heavy fall, and
Ramona pale and frightened, hasten
ed to the parlor, to find her father ly-
ing senseless, struck with paralysis,
and her mother faint with terror.
Roger assisted her father to the
couch and went for the doctor, who
shook his head gravely.
''He may linger long time" he
said, "and will need care"
Mrs. Grey, weak, nervous wo-
man, besought Ramona to defer her
marriage, and she did so. For ten
years she was ministering angel to
both parents, and then they died,
leaving her alone. Roger at first OBJ
jected to the postponement of the
union, but FIVE years had passed since
Ramona was free, and he never men,
toned marriage, though he called
nearly every night.
The door opened softly and Grace
Avery entered. She had come to try
on her wedding dress. 1t proved to
be perfect; no alteration was neces-
sary. Ramona's attention to every
trife always secured success. Grace
fastened away, contented and happy,
and Ramona sat down again by the
fire. She was hungry, but she could
not eat. A vague intuition of some
important crisis held her as by spell.
Presently Roger walked in and
took his accustomed place by the
hearth. He had grown stout and
forid with the passing years, while
Ramona was slender and pale.
80 Grace Avery is to be married" :"
he said. "How rapidly young people
grow up. She was wee little girl
when you and I were engaged, Ra-
mona. 1t makes fellow feel old.
It's about time 1 was married my
SELF"
Ramona's heart thrilled with Joy,
a soft flush stole into her pale cheeks.
Her dark eyes glowed like stars.
II am rich man there is no use
in my waiting any longer" Roger
sat back in his chair, calm, portly,
smiling. cts too bad, Ramona, that
we let anything put off our marriage
years ago. Now it's too late
Ramona's heart beat violently. A
strange foreboding made her speech
less.
81 never thought you did quite
right to give me UP for your folks.
You worked yourself almost to death
for them, and now are ailing and deli
cate-not the sort of wife man of
my age needs. You see that for your
self, don't you, Ramona?"
"Why, then, did you speak of
marriage?" she asked.
Because well, there's no use
in beating about the bush, L m think
ing of marrying Bessie Sherwood.
She's only eighteen, young and child
ish, but shell soon learn housekeep-
ing, and she is as pretty as a peach.
$50 this is the end of my loyalty
to you, Roger Graham /" said Ra-
mona, standing tall and dignifed be-
fore him.
"There's no use in making fuss, ;"
said Roger, ,uneasily. 81 hate scenes.
You couldn't expect l would marry
you after all these years. You are
clever, smart woman, but you have
certainly faded out"
eyes, 1 have changed" said Ra-
mona, bitterly. "Toil is not condu-
Give to rosy cheeks or bright eyes"
81 can't help that" said Roger.
''It was not for me you worked. 1
would have given you a good home
and been a loving husband but you
put me aside, and 1 learned to do
without you.''
Enough p cried Ramona. II
did my duty. I see now that the
man 1 loved never existed save in my
imagination. Here is your ring-let
this end all. +"
"You won't mention our little af-
fair to Bess ?" he shamefully asked.
"You can rest assured of that, !"
said Ramona, proudly. cit is hu-
initiating to me to recall that ever
fancied could marry you.
After that the days passed drearily.
Bessie Sherwood was married to Roger
Graham and moved into the big white
mansion. She was surrounded by