Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1860-12-21

SO's'Ns
not trust herself to look up and partly
te conceal her emotion, partly by a sud-
den impulse, she struck into the miserere
of :" II Trovatore." Nobody there had
ever before realized the full tragedy of
that saddest, yet most beautiful dirge.--
Even the selfish heart of Mr.. Mowbray
was affected. When the last chord had
died away he was the first to speak, and
was profuse in admiration and thanks
But Clarence said nothing. Nelly, at
last looking towards him, saw that mis- eyes
we're dim as we'll as her own. She felt
that his silence was the most eloquent OF
compliments, and from that hour forgave
his having called her common rustic v
Clarence soon became constant visi-
tor at Mr.. Stanley's. But he always
found Mr.. Mowbray there before him,
who endeavored, in every way, to monop-
olize Nelly's attention. Reserved if not
absolutely naughty, Clarence left the field
generally to his rival, and Nelly, half in
dignant was sometimes tempted to affect
gaycty in Mowbray's company, which
she was far from feeling. Occasionally,
however, Clarence would assert his equal
right to share the society of Mrs. Stanley's
guest, and at such times his eloquent talk
soon eclipsed that of even the brilliant ad-
vocate. AS Nelly said in her secrete
heart, it was Ruskin against Noltaire.-
And the more Clarence engaged in these
conversations, the more he felt that, for
the first time in his life he had met one
who understood him.
One morning the footman ccme up to
the little pancled boudoir where Nelly and
her friend were sitting, saying that Mr..
Mowbray was in the paror, and solicited
private Interview with the former
Nelly rose at once, for she forboded what
was coming, and was only too glad to have
this opportunity Of stopping attentions
which had become uncomfortable to her.
Mr.. Mowbray was evidently embarrass-
ed, an unusual thing for him. But he
rallied, and came directly to the purpose
of his visit, which was as Nelly had sus-
pectcd, to tender her his heart and hand.
He was proceeding, ia a strain Of high
lloNH toHl plllHcut, WITH -'Niiy o"iu, " i'h
an impatient wave OF her hand.
"Sparc me, sir. You did not always
talk so"
He looked his astonishmcnt.
Many years ago | answered you the
same question which you now ask"
He eolorcd up to the temples.
surely do not deserve" he said, to be
made jest of"
" Neither do l make a jest of you
Do you not know me ~
j." never saw you till this summer"
You saw me eight years ago. You
and friend were on a pedestrian tour
You met little, barc-tootcd girl, whom
your friend made sketch of, and whom
you jcered at. then nicSnamcd," And,
rising, she made a mock courtesy, for she
saw she was now recognized. u am
Cobwebs, at your service, sir"
The discounted suiter never forgot the
look Of dsdain with which Nelly courte-
sled to him. His modification was not
lessoned, when, on leaving the house, he
met Clareacc on the door step. lie tried
in vain to assume an indifferent aspect,
but he felt that he had failed, aad that
his rival suspected his rejoction>
Nelly could not avoid laughing at the
crest-faIlen look of her old enemy. HcI
whole manner changed, however, when
Clarence entered. Instead of the trl'
umphant, saucy tormentor> she became
the conscious, trembling woman. Clar-
cncc who had longed for, yet dreaded this
interview, took courage at once, and III q
few manly words, laid his fortune at Nell
ly's feet.
She felt more like crying for joy, thar
anything else But little of the old
saucy spirit was still left in her; sht
thought she owed to her sex not to sur
render too easily, and SO she said archl,
gancinc up to Clarence.
Do You know, Mr.. Harvard who YOU
are proposing to? am no hcircss, ne
high-born city belle, but only--lct me sec
what was it ?-ah have it now
only common country rustic, Anc
she arose and courtesicd to hm>
For heavens sake don't bring tha
foolish speech up against rae y he cried
passionatcly, trying to take her hand, 81
have repented it thousand times daily
since the unlucky moment l was betrayed
into saying it, DO me the justice to be
lieve | never meant to be personal.
"Well. then, will say nothing more
of that matter But this is only whln
of yours How is it, that, having know
me so long, you only now discover m,
merits :?
i" Known you so long ?"
i" Yes, sir ~ demurely>
." kaown you "
"For eight years"
Good heavens :" he cried, suddenly
his whole face lightning up. "Hoy
blind l have been! Why did | not see i
before ? You arc"
Cobwebs,n said Nelly, taking tn
words out of his mouth, her whole fac
sparkling with glee and she drew off ant
gave another sweeping courtesy.
Before she had recovered herself, how
ever, pair cf strong arms were aroun'
her, for Clarence OWNED now that h
was loved Nelly all along had had half
secret fear, that, when her suitcr knew
the past, he might not be SO willing t
marry the bsre-tooted girl as the brillian
belle but all this was gone,
Two months later there was a gay wed
ding at ST. Marks. A mouth after that
/ II 1 th,, rn1