The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-10-19

RoohOA UoNnt hOA ShSCAo huohOa, hOA
golden curls in tumble.
''Who'l buy my ripe Strawberries?
At last gentleman paused, attracted
by tie sweet, bird-like voice.
"Please, sir, would you buy my ber-
RESP
Baskets and all, and yourself in the
bargain.
"Not myself, but the basket, sir, and
the posies, and only fifty cents
The gentleman drew out his purse.
81 can't find it in my heart to refuse
such mite of a market-woman as you
are," he said, kindly. "Here's dollar.
Now tell me how it comes to pass that such
baby as you are at this occupation?''
Rosamond received the dollar with dane
ing eyes.
'Oh, sir, how good you air! Thank
you hundred times. Ohl my poor papa
can have his medicine now. You see, sir,
he's very sick, my poor papa is, and ulam-
ma hasn't one cent, and the druggist
wouldn't let us have the medicine, and
mamma couldn't get the money for the
pretty dress she made; and, oh! how she
did cry-and-and-"
"And, you came here to sell your ber-
RESP
eyes, sir, that it, and mamma doesn' t
know what have done. Oh, but won t
she be glad when she sees this!''
She closed her pink fingers on the crisp
bill, and handed her little basket to the
gentleman. He took it, and then stood
looking down at her with a curious, wistful
gaze. Something in the frank, clear,
young eyes stirred his heart, and made his
lips quiver.
'tI must run home now. Goodby, sir,
| shall never forget you. "
Rosamond held out her chubby hand.
He clasped it and held it close.
"You'll tell me your name first, won t
you, little woman?'
"Rosamond Trevor, sir -
"What?'
The child eyed his working face in
amazement.
"And your mother name?
edith Trevor, sir
"Gracious heavensp'
He was silent minute; but when the
child sought to release her hand he only
held it the closer.
"Rosamond," he said, presently, in a
faltering voice, ''did you ever hear of
your grandfather
"My Grandfather Everleigh?'' Oh,
yes, indeed, sir! Mamma tells me about
him, but never saw him. He's rich
man, nd-and-well, I don't think he
cares for us because we are poOrF'
"Rosamond, | am your grandfather
The child looked at him with incredul-
Gus eyes; then all at once she began tc
clap her hands.
"And you will go home with me and
see poor mamma-you will, you will p
she cried.
eyes," replied the gentleman, in a
hoarse voice. "Come along; my carriage
is not far of.
They drove up the green lane to the
cottage just as the sun was rising. Rosa.
mond' mother was in the garden looking
| about with much concern for her little
girl.
s'Here am, mamma, shouted Rosie,
putting forth her golden head. II rar
away to market to sell strawberries; and
oh, mamma, I've got whole dollar, anc
T. We brought Grandfather Everleigh home
with mer'
The meeting between father and daugh
ter was happy one, and all the past wal
forgotten and forgiven in the joy of the
present. Under the treatment of a gooc
physician, and the restorative power of
contented mind, Mr.. Trevor soon regainec
his health; and Ediths father, to make
amends for his former harshness, took hin
into the firm of which he was the head
and insisted that they should all live to-
gether in his mansion where little Rosie Ii
now his pet and almost constant ccmpan
| ion.