“That lovely little girl amid the roses on the lawn is, I suppose, their daughter.”
“No, she is Hilda Brinsfield, the orphan niece of Mr. Ashley.”
“Hilda Brinsfield!” echoed the gentleman in surprise. “My wife and I were wondering only yesterday what became of that sweet child after the death of her lovely young mother.”
“Then you are acquainted with her parents?” said Dr. Lattinger with interest.
“Only for the little time I have lived in my present home. Her father, Rev. Freeman Brinsfield, was pastor of our village church, his first charge. I heard 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 came of a long line of ministers, one or more of them being pioneer missionaries. Little Hilda is a child of prayer and has the promise of being cared for.”
“She certainly has a happy home with the Ashleys, who come as near idolizing her as Christian people will allow themselves to worship anything earthly. The three pass most of this beautiful June weather in the open, Mr. Ashley taking his artist equipments, Mrs. Ashley a book and a basket of luncheon, and Hilda her doll and toys, and in the shady woods or blossoming orchard they encamp.”
“Truly an ideal life; and now tell me who lives in that handsome villa just above it, but on the opposite side of the road?”
“That is the residence of Miss Anna Ashburton, and is called ‘My Lady’s Manor,’ for as you probably know, most country homes in ‘Maryland, My Maryland’ have names, generally pretty well adapted to their appearance. It was left to her by a widow—Mrs. Joshua Farnsworth—who died a few months ago. They were not the least related, but loved each other as mother and daughter.”
“Had Mrs. Joshua Farnsworth no relatives to whom she could leave her property, or who would contend for it?”
“No, her only near relative—her sister—the widow of the late Judge Lacy, of Springfield, Ohio, is wealthy, has no children, and has no need of what Mrs. Farnsworth gave to her foster daughter.”