Hilda's Mascot

for the genial and hospitable residents of the old colonial mansion, which had been for generations in the family of Mrs. Lattinger, and where she had lived all her life. The Lattingers h

former college chum, a lawyer who had a short time before bought one of the pretty subur

ut, but in an opposite direction, "you are correct in your opinion of this region of country; it is prosperous and beautiful. There a

e, came here from Baltimore that he might have natural scenery for

id the roses on the lawn is

insfield, the orphan

wife and I were wondering only yesterday what became of th

with her parents?" said D

incidentally that his means had been exhausted in his college and theological course, and he was very grateful for the call. My friend also added that he

ship anything earthly. The three pass most of this beautiful June weather in the open, Mr. Ashley taking his artist equipments, M

lives in that handsome villa just above

in 'Maryland, My Maryland' have names, generally pretty well adapted to their appearance. It was left to her by a widow-Mrs

ives to whom she could leave her pro

ge Lacy, of Springfield, Ohio, is wealthy, has no children, and

is elderly,

finely educated, a musician and artist; an orphan w

live alone in th

and his family in the brown cottage we passed this morning, about a mile beyond the other end of the vi

ive a lonely

, who have known and loved her from babyhood, have their comfortable quarters back of the mansion, and as Miss Anna's library and sleepin

na, being young and attractive

our good pastor Rev. Carl Courtney, of 'Friedenheim,' the old homestead of the Courtneys. He is a lawyer, has his office in Baltimore, but makes his h

law'-and yet the Rev.

rother, Valentine, and his home from childhood has been

Anna's villa must give a fine v

About twenty-five years ago, Mr. Joshua Farnswort

asked his visitor,

his usual excellent health the evening of his death, had gone to the village postoffice, and while perusin

seen upon the roof, seated upon the bench that lines the ironwork balustrade, still engaged in earnest conversation, and a few hours

vestigation as to th

ose who witnessed the meeting at the postoffice, and the villagers who sa

knew how and when the s

indows were locked for the night and the shutters closed; and thus they were found when about midnight search was made for Mr. Farnswort

granite building, light gray in color, with sea-green cornice and shut

eadows, farmhouses, country-seats, mill properties, the creek that flowe

bor with its forest of masts, the Patapsco flecked with sails, Federal

it a pleasant change to be the respected companion of its young lady owner, and, having given

, cared but little for society, where she would have been such an ornament with her fine presence, deep blue eyes, wealth of auburn hair and a complexion of matchless fairness. The company of he

an Ashley laid aside palette and brush to join

idence willed it, Diana Strong was indulging in a respite from hospital work in the home of Mr

essful issue whatever she undertook, Diana was duly installed and Mr. Ashley went to j

e had also great affection for Hilda and would have her for hours at a time at the villa, to the secret displeasure of Jerusha, who had no

at it was a blessed relief to the cultivated intellect of Anna Ashburton to exchange f

ood flowers, she invited Miss Flint to accompany them, but her courtesy

rs. Ashley down at the cottage, who knew nothing of Jerusha's feeli

mother's letter in the ebony box, she had a better right to be proud than had Mrs

oon while they were arranging flowers under the shade of an oak tre

Ohio. Shall I tell y

"the beginning being so romanti

estranged me from my sister and her husband-Dr. Cyril Warf

ted them with coldness and reserve in return for their lightly express

ease do not continue it if it distresses you

felt sufficiently acquainted until this summer, and you cannot realize what

Sarah, Herbert and I-resided in our old homestead in Ohio,

whom he had confidence; but through their failure we lost heavily, and when t

Warfield homestead which adjoined our place, and there they have lived happily. But

Woodmont and Sarah and Cyril took me to their home where I w

, for the appearance of the clouds betokened a storm. I had passed a turn in the road when rain came d

ased in violence, she crouched down and I was about t

; then he stepped into the carriage, took the lines from my trembling hands, and, turning about, drove to the shelter of a l

village near Baltimore with my widowed sister, Mrs. Brinsfield. I am an artist and, with several of my fellow-artists, am traveling upon a sketch

eep you so long in d

es,' he replied lightly, and as soon a

unhurt. They welcomed Mr. Ashley cordially, invited him to dine with us the follow

day, I am sure

h book, and every day that Cyril had leisure he took him to the prettiest spots in the neighborhood, and at other times Paul, Fre

ended; and the morning he called to say good-bye he presented sister S

r. Ashley was a consistent church member, a Sabbath school teacher and in every way an estimable young man. Therefore the only objection that he and sister Sarah made to our marriage lay

the city were principally her former classmates, her church, Sabbath school, music and art associates, and not one, I am sure, visited her without being impressed and benefited by the sweet serenity of her manner and the almost angelic expression upon her lovely features. She was an embodiment of gratitude to God who had answered her prayers, that her li

to come up higher, and a week or so later

"I feel that you and Hilda are dearer to me than ever, and I have inter

but Sarah is more practical than I; a noble, energetic, useful woman; one to depend up

ross the field on his way to "Fair Meadow" from Dorton. "He has a letter; perhaps it is

and he thought it might be one that you should have as quickly as possible. I called a

" and the boy passed on with the mail for the "Fair Meadow"

am afraid that letter brings sad news of Dr

rely hope that your fea

to the cottage, where Anna listened to the reading of the missive which gave

ister's bereavement, and Anna wept with her and sta

le Cyril lived. He was always kind to me and never knew how much I appreciated his goodness. Oh, Anna, will we never learn to be tender a