The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-08-15

have my fate decided. If 1 am S
fortunate as to win her, I can sa
adieu to Mother Beck, and welcom
comfort ease, happiness
Meanwhile Nettie Morris and &c,
trude Lorrimer were discussing, i
the privacy of their parlor, a pla
which seemed to afford them an op
portunity to revenge the slight Mis-
Hannah had put upon them at
charity fair.
81 would give anything to see be
read it," said Nettie. IT declare
1 can't wait with any patience for to
morrow to come.
II think l deserve some credit fo
initiating his handwriting so well,'
said Gertrude. "I am sure she will
fully believe it is a genuine love
letter. How l would like to see hel
answer p
ri rather think Miss Hannah will
feel very much mortified when she
finds out that she has accepted the
doctors bogus Offer" said Nettie.
"You think there is nc doubt of her
accepting, Gertie 7"
''Not the least" replied Gertrude,
in tone of confidence. "You see,
Nettie, he is very eligible person,
and l rather think Miss Hannah
would not refuse a man whom I
would accept"
"Suppose we 60 upstairs and read
the letter again." suggested Nettie /;
land then you can copy it, and I'll
find Johnny Brewer tonight and
make him take it for u.s."
That night as Doctor Ashley was
returning home after spending the
evening at Singleton's, violent gust
of wind blew into his face a sheet of
paper. The doctor was deep in
thought about his contemplated offer
to Gertrude Lorrimer the next even
ing, and caught the paper mechani
cally in his hand and abstractedly
thrust it into his pocket, where it
stayed, completely forgotten by the
dreaming doctor.
He passed the white cottage of Miss
Hannah, and was surprised to see
light still in the window of the cosy
parlor. The curtain was drawn aside,
and he stopped moment, attracted
by the comfortable aspect of the whole
room. The fire was burning cheerily,
the cat lay on the rug, and Miss Han
nah sat in a cosy armchair, an open
letter on her lap, and her hands cross
ed idly. The letter which he had
seen lying on the lap of the spinster
ran as follows:
"My Dear Miss Hannah Dur
ing the three weeks we have seen
more of each other than ever before,
ard / have learned to love you de-
votedly. Dare 1 hope that l may
aud Ioveiiness or person 6sf5ve=srn1ru
this heart, which has never before
succumbed to woman /; and my only
fear is that you will not think my
love worthy your acceptance. 1fyou
can give me favorable answer, write
it and bring it to my door tomorrow.
Susan will see that it is given to me
at night, for 1 shall be away all day.
If your answer is unfavorable, If you
feel that 1 am not worthy the blessed
boon of your pure young love, send
me no reply. Your silence will be
sufficient to tell me that my hopes
are blasted and my heart blighted
evermore. Yours devotedly,
LEONARD B. ASHLEY"
This was the letter over which
Miss Hannah was dreaming in the
freight. She was astonished at re-
ceiving her letter. A rapping on her
cottage door caused her to open it to
find the letter tied to the knob, but
no one in sight. Johnny Brewer had
done his errand we'll. Miss Hannah
had seen the handwriting of the doc
tor very frequently, and Gertrude's s
clever imitation would almost have
deceived the doctor himself.
When Miss Hannah read the joint
production of the girls, the tears
came into her soft blue eyes. She
never doubted the genuineness of her
love-letter. As she read what it said
of her grace and loveliness, sigh
escaped her lips. He is so noble,
rich and handsome, and have thought
he loved Gertrude Lorrimer and pit
led him for she will never make any
man happy. And to think that,
after all, am his choice. l never
dreamed that such happiness could
come to me.
So Gertrude Lorrimer was right
The letter of acceptance was writer
before the little woman slept thai
night, and the next day the two girls,
who were eagerly watching, saw hel
give the precious missive into Susan:
care. How they laughed and re
joiced as they saw her move slowly
away, in deep thought-their little
old maid whom they had so cruelty
deceived.
When Doctor Ashley returned hom'
at eight clock that evening he founC
Miss Hannah's letter on his stud!
table. He read it through with dis
may and astonishment.
"Poor little creature - he exclaim
ed, "who could have been capable O
so cruelty deceiving her? l did no
think she had an enemy, her life is s.
blameless and noble. What shall
tell her? How shall explain mat
ters to herr"
He read the letter over again, ant
was impressed by the modesty AM
gentleness which pervaded it.
Walking up and down the room
perplexed at what had occurred, an
vexed at being in such false pos
ton, Doctor Ashley suddenly though
of Gertrude. This was the night b
had set for calling on her and de
Gliding his fate. He little doubted he