The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1905-08-05

application, to get clothes to make
for the adopted child of the philan-
thropist. For twenty-four years she
has sewed for this child-frst in baby
garments, SO delicate, demanding
such gentle work. then the underwear
for the school girl. then the dainty
things for the young woman in So
ciety.
Women friends of the girl won
dered and grew envious at the ex
quisite work done on these garments,
each was made as delicate as spiders
web. Three times a year the girl
would send for the seamstress, and
each time she would be touched with
hands that trembled, and had her
eyes noted the woman's, that look of
love and hunger must have had its
explanation.
Cline and again the mother would
pray to God to give her strength not
to say word nor give look that
would ruin the girls chances of
wealth and happiness. She would
beguile the girl into talking of her
beaus and her parties, of her life as
a young lady, and of her hopes and
ambitions as school girl. When
the girls beauty became society's
pride the mother kept every mention
of her daughters name made by the
newspapers, and when her ball gowns
were described, she knew that it was
the work of hours of her love. Twice
the papers rumored her betrothal,
and the seamstress would find a pre-
text, some new measurement, to go
to the house and ask the girl if the
rumor was true. When it was denied
she was happy, for she knew that the
girl was safe in her present home.
"Then came an awful day. The
girl went to Europe with the philan-
thropist. and the seamstress had to
find other work. For years she had
been struggling, but her eyes gave
out, and today she sits here an appli
cant for room in the almshouse,"
and the Doctors voice broke.
ION this beautiful Sunday morn
ing" he went on, ''she has just
walked from the hospital and has
given up" and the doctor turned
away sobbing.
The yelled head of the woman had
dropped on the table. Miss Carter
was edging her way toward the
figure, cropping with her hand along
the side of the table. She reached
the bowed head and moved her hand
over it. Slowly she drew the veil
back, revealing first the mouth, then
the weary eyes; it was the face of
the dear old lady who had made her
underwear from childhood.
"Oh, you poor, suffering-oh, my
mother" cried the girl as she dropped
to her knees and gazed at the woman
with tear filled imploring eyes.
"Oh, my child, this is all wrong y
cried the woman. ''It,s the doctors
doings. 4 did not know he was
going 10 tell you anything. I did
not know you were in the country.
l must not make your life wretched.
You have others to think of, and you
are in luxury and comfort. Oh, it is
cruel to have told you-forget it,
forget itl'
The girl drew the needle-scarred,
but still aristocratic hands down from
the half blind eyes.
Forget itP' she cried, as she
caught her mother in her arms, II
have just begun to live. Oh! thank
God for this revelation. He whom
you left me with-my uncle Jack, as
called him-is dead. But I am
rich, do you hear? Rich ! and we
shall have all that the world gives;
and your eyes shall be made well.
You shall give to these people instead
of being one of them we shall never
know sorrow. Oh, my mother |
am SO happy I will be good to you. "
The mother took the young face
between her hands and dwelt upon
every line and feature. Then, MY
child |" she cried, as she surrendered.
"Oh, I am SO happy - cried the
girl, as she bent over the worn old
wedding ring and kissed it between
her sobs.
And from the hall came the voice
of the man of God in solemn tones,
over the heads of the paupers, say
ing:
"And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, be with
you, now and forever more. Amen !"