The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-07-02

he naQ taken mouse III HTOVl"
dence Terrace-which, he said, with
his old smile, ought to show that, not
withstanding all that had come and
gone, he had mo bad feeling
little row Of buildings on Parker's
Piece, an airy space to look upon, but
dangerous as a pleasure ground by
reason of the missiles, ranging from
a football to the small shot used at
FOUNDERS, always flying about. 1t was
very tiny dwelling; the door opened
upon a passage so narrow that even
the term seemed a misnomer, since
no adults could pass one another in
It; when visitor called the maid had
to back to admit him, unless-which
of course was not to be thought Of
she lay down and let him walk over
her, like the stag on the precipice in
Mr.. Browning's poem.
One morning the canon was sitting,
as usual, in his little study, a book
on the swing desk before him but not
at the reading angle. He kept one
always open lest Aunt Maria should
look in and suspect him of the very
vice he was at that moment indulging
in-reverie. A great student of hu-
man nature has taught us how
blessed a thing is memory, even to
the unfortunate; but it is no less true
that "a sorrows crown of sorrows is
rememb ering happier things" An
old man deep in thought is always
pathetic spectacle and, upon the
whole, a discouraging one.
While the canon thinks-and sighs
there is presently a sharp ring at
the bell Visitors are few in these
days, and he neither expects or de-
sires any. The little maid, who is a
survival of the old household at the
Laure1s, is aware of that fact and
deals automatically with all corners.
stMiss Aldred is at home" she an
swers; which implies that the master
of the house is not, without going so
far as to affirm it. On the present oc-
casion, however, this subterfuge is
denied her, as Miss Aldred happens
to be without doors. So to the strange
mands speech with the master she
replies that he is particularly en-
gagged"
tStill, I think if he knew who
was he would see me-" said the Wis
itor gravely. ri am his SON."
You're never that, sir!" cries the
young maid.
81 really am" returned the young
man, smiling at her undisguised
amazement.
"Why, sir, he don't expect you no
more than the queen. He was a.
talking of you at dinner only last
night-not that listens to the gen.
tlefolks' talk; but with potatoes in
one hand and the sauceboat in the
other, to stop ones ears is difficult.
He's always talking about you, but
not a word has he dropped about
your coming home"
"Where is he?" inquired the young
man in a hushed voice.
''In his study; the second door on
the right, SIR
''Is he pretty well? To see one so
Unexpectedly will not hurt him?"
"Lor' bless you, no, sir; not it! 1t
will do him a world of good"
The little maid knows nothing in
regard to "shocks to the system" and
cannot understand that the sight of
so handsome a young gentleman can
be deleterious to anybody.
Don't announce me-" he says,
softly. 81 will announce myself" "
And he knocks gently at the study
door.
The canon settles the swing desk
before him, and begins to be alb
sorbed in the open book. He has his
back to the door and takes it for
granted that the newcomer is his Sis
ter.
"You are come back very soon, my
dear, are you not?"
81 can scarcely say that" answers
a voice, which, though its tones are
hushed and gentle, electrifies him. II
have been away for more than five
years.
Robert? My boy-my dear, dear
boy!"
For some moments the poor canon
(for all his "culture') can only re-
iterate these few words with their
one variation. "My boy" and my
dear boy" He hugs him, he kisses
him, the tears roll down his with
cred cheeks without check. Then
suddenly perceiving that his son is
about to betray a similar weakness
he cries out, Don't mind me, Rob-
ert, I was getting an old man; but
you will make me young again. There
is something to live for now" Then
in an altered voice, he added, why
is it you have come back? But
need not ask, alas! You have lost
your Alma, thanks to me-and there
was nothing to keep you in India
Can you ever forgive your father?"
MY dear dad!" exclaimed Robert
using, in an outburst of Natures sell
the old childish term, What is there
to forgive? i come here to comfor
YOU. Alma sent me over herself; i
7 hadn't come she would have thrown
me over, which, l do assure you, sh
/ has not done. Your father is il
trouble, she said, Therefore you
/ place is by his side Was she no
right? Are you not glad to haV
me?"
; Glad! Was 1 ever so happy be
fore. Heaven forgive me for doubt
/ ing its goodness! that | should eve
be happy again"
/ For the moment all his misfor
/ tunes were forgotten. The days j
/ which he had seen evil'' had melte
away. While looking at his stalWar
son he seemed to derive from hlr
some of his health and strength ant
looked ten days younger.
"And Aunt Maria?" inquired tn
young man.
! "Wonderful," returned his father
You know what a good soul she al
ways was, but she has developed int
an angel. Not a word of reproach-