Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-06-17

by the Falls. my dear; be sure to show
Miss Blatchford Shady Hollow And
before she could recover from her en-
barrassment and surprise, she found walk
ing behind Mrs. Ashley and her father
the few steps that lay between them and
the lady's residence.
Mrs. Ashley enjoyed Mr.. Benedict's
conversation. He had seen much of the
world in early life, was thoroughly
cohversant with the topics Of the day
and she often regretted. as on this acci.
dental meeting, that she saw SO little
Of him. But here we are'-and she
paused before low iron gate opening
on the serpentire walk which let to the
house-'and | have not accomplish my
errand. viii yeu not come in awhile
Mr.. Benedict ! often see you passing
and wish you would make yourself al
home under our trees, not quite SC
attractive as your iavorite walnuts, mus
acknowledge.
Fanny hoped the invitation would not
be accepted, and wished she was near
enough to her father to make some sig
nal; but he did not even look around
Holding open the gate for Mrs. Ashley
he bowed assent, and seemed to expect
his daughter to follow, as a matter OF
course. He had no reason to think that
the invitation wss not given IN good
faith, and could work an hour later, to
make up for the time that he supposed
would be spent in giving his daughter q
pleasure.
Mrs. Ashley turned back and Joined
Fanny in the shaded path. Il was com.
ing around to ask if you had an en-. age
ment for Tomorrow evening. Our pres.
ent guests. tho Blatchtords, are quite
musical, and we shall have an impromtu
gathering for them. Helen is on her
way to ask the Voc dbrldges and Gray
sons.
The sombre shade gave place to on
eager glance for moment. How very
pleasant, how much she should enjoy
1t; but the light faded from Miss Bene-
diets eyes as she turned to her flther,
aud remembered that he was engaged
! Wednesday as well as Tuesday evenings,
at the office. She should not give the
real reason for fear Mrs. Ashley would
think she hiated at some help out Of the
difficulty, but began to say. in cold
and rather distant tone, she was very
sorry, but it would not be possible foi
/ her to cogne.'
wish my Frank would act up to her
name little otterer, Mrs. Ashley. l,
would give her the greatest pleasure to
come. but on Tuesday and Wednesday
evenings | an al ways detained at the
Office, ard she has no other escort. Mr..
Ashley mad all at once come upon the
solution of what she aud he. daughters
i had often wondered at. The young la
/ dies had sometimes said that it's useless
to ask Frances Benedict; she almost in.
variably declined, in cold stiff way;
there was really no getting at her,
She is frequently shut out from pleas
urcs | should like to give l.er, for the
same reason, continued Mr.. Benedict;
but duty first is my rule He though,
it WAS only due to Mrs. Ashley, for her
/ friendiness, to give the reason for de-
clining. and trusted her good feeling, by
his own sense OF uprightness, not to sus-
pect any hidlen motive.
'W ill you 20 iu,o the house, or do
YOU care for flowers ? Are you fond ot
/ flowers, Miss Benedict : | wish | had
known before what your father has told
me it would give me pleasure TO be
your chaperon at any 'ime, AID to-mor-
row you really must come, Tor | know
YOU viii enjoy Mss HlatchfarI's sing
il-,. Charley shall come Tor YOU, or, il
there should be change III tAe weather,
Will send the Garage. Is it possible
you have never b,en in the greonhouse
before, Bcncdic.: f: The truth Is, | forget
20 ask people h..F the time and Thomp-
son grieves because there IS no one to
admire his t4vorites. | got very iittle
leisure myself to enjoy them; sometimes
a week together asses without my com
n5 near But YOU know, Mr.. Benedict,
what a life must lead. often wonder
il any one is - harass,d as l am.-
Ihompson,is there anything in the house
4 lust new, wortn looking al :
The gardener, d quiet, taciturn man,
made his appearance at tbs summons.-
Almost erything was in the garden al
present, be said, and le | the way thither
armin. himself with pair Of scissors at
the same time, and cutting right and
lett all the more literally when he found
that Miss Bened.ct's al niration was MOI
only genuine. discriminating. and that,
in her way She was an humble tollowei
of his beloved pursuit. Usually, she
had called a: Mrs. Ashley's in her best
visiting dress, Aer newest gloves and
CATERS, been shown into the grand draw
Ing room, and sat upright on lounge
from the beginning to the end of her
visit, holding her card-case and parasol
as stiffly as the Dresden hower-girl on
the mantlc-piece carried her boquet.-
No wonder that. to use her own phrase,
they never got any farther for when a
call was returned. she was always in a
fiutter about the looks of the room, or
her own dress, or that some untashlon-
able neighbor would enter Familiarity,
and she should he compelled to introduce
them. or greatly offend. Mrs. Ashley
watched her animated face and careless
movements,as she left them and followed
Thompson, by express invitation, to hl'
border of seeding verbenas, and wonder