Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-06-03

that gIowed through the frosted shade
above The tea-table was all set haC
often dreamed of Il home of my own that
should be something like Lee Worcester
in its snug evening comfort, and somehow
that tea-table formed half of the phan
tasm. There was something SO bright and
cheerful in the snowy damask, and the
sparkling glass and glittering china. Old
bachelor as | was, the golden blocks
of cake and tiny white mullins, breaking
crisp flakes that melted in ones mouth
and amber jelies, quiyering like, gigantic
jewels through their crystal prison walls,
producing a Wonderfully agreeable effect
in my ePeurean sight. And l could
imagine no prettier vision to crown it all
tlen Mary Worcester in her crimsoncd
dress, edged round the throat with deli
cate lace, presiding at the silver tea urn
Except perhaps-but that is neither here
nor there
l was little disappointed on cnterinq
not to see Lees sister-in-law, trim lit.
tie beauty. with brown ripping hair and
velvet eyes, somewhat between haze
and black, but | did not like to ask any
questions, and consequently remained In
Ignorance, until Mary casually remarked:
i" Nettie is veay low spirited this cve-
ming perhaps she will come down stairs
by and by
How | longcd to ask what the matter
was. Perhaps she had received i'll news,
perhaps she was not well. | could have
given my two ears to know, but | didn't
dare to inquire.
:" So you're going to be married, eh
Tracy, my boy said Lee as we sat in
front of the bright FIRE, Well you
can't do better. \ bachelor at best is a
mere fraction of society,"
l started up annoyed beyond endurance.
i" For mcrcy's sake dear Lee, do tell
me where ycu picked up that ridiculous
report ~
/" Ridiculous report that's pretty cool
upon my honor exclaimed Worcester.
Now Mr.. Godc,' said Mary laugh
ing, don't deny the soft impeachment.
am sure you wonld enjoy quiet home
of your own better than that noisy hotel.
Taere is no charm against sad heart
like domestic bliss.
There was radlent sottneSs In her
own tender eyes as She spoke, that pene-
trated eye with the sudden conviction
that had been exceedingly foolish to re-
main single all these ears
F." Do confess, she added ga'Iy j.
Eu | haye nothing on earth to con
less.
Nonsense, said Mary holding up
pretty warning hngure. " W nat were
You buying this very morning at
y Artief
l turned scarlet there was that ever
lasting welding cake again
Fortunately my lnqa'a'tlon was ter,
minated for moment by the entrance OF
Ices sisier-n, law, locking loy!ler than l
had ever seen her before htt'e pa'c'
perhaps, however and her st2kty eye
iashes heavy with what | Gould almost
have taneled the traces oil recent tears
were 1t not that she seemed in extraV-
aglnt Say spirits. ihe SOFT hushes OF
color came and went iiNe PINK shadows
across her checks and her coral lips were
dlmpled with the DrisAest OF smiIcs' yet
all the time L could not diVest myself OF
the o.d impression 'ha' she was ready 10
melt iato an April shower OF tears at any
moment,
She lightly rendered me her congratu'a-
tons upon the approaching happy
event, holding oat small snowy hnnH'
loaded with sparkling rings as She a'd 50.
= on speak IN Riddles Miss Nettle.
Don't pretend that You have not the
key to them" she SAID a little tremuIous-
ly.
-" cannot comprehend what you
mean answered L, sturdlIy.
She SAID no more, but sat quietly down
and shaded her eyes with her hand as
though the fire dazzled them. Mrs
" ofcester, however, stiii pursued lh1
obnoxious topic.
"Then how do you explain the wedding
cake at d Artier's y
"ls that the only testimony upon which
| am tried and convicted ot wllItul ihtch-
tion of matrimony =
That Is all We are ready to here
your defense
well that uulueky mess of white
cugar and dyspepsia was for my brothers
wedding ceremonies, a hundred miles away