Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-12-02

NO, did not mean it, JESSIE"
said psniteatly. "Bus do you love IN. 2
VIII you answer me, yes or MOI"
" Yes or no." she answered, demurely
go Jessie Hale" l exclaimed, i'm
patiently, you will drive me crazy !'
=" A terrible misfortune, surely, sh,
said, with laugh, throwing down he.
work and stepping through the Iov win
dow upon the lawn. Nov Will, viii
tell you what | will do if you will prom.
lse never to plague me again about this
81 will promise anything. if you will
only give me an honest answer" sale
eagerly.
"Well. then, if you can catch me be.
fore | reach the elm tree, will give you
candid answer, upon my houor.''
thumped my head against the window
sash, aud away went racing over the
green sward with ten times more eager.
us.s than | ever displayed in playin,
catch in my boyhood days. A very dig.
niiied proceeding truly, for staid sur.
geos. All the g0ssips in Oakdale would
have held up their hands in pious horror
had they seen ne then; but l did no,
care if half the world saw me, SO in:en,
Was | on catching that flying gipsy; and
catch her | did, before she was half way
to the old elm.
Now for the answer" said, eagerly.
Oh! but can't you wait until | get
my brcath?' drawing it in quick, spas.
nodic jerks, like some diplapidated old
steam engine. Let Inc see; what was
it | promised to tell you?"
Whether you love me or not, you
provoking little wretch | said, fairly
out of patience.
"Now look here, Mr.. Will if you
you don't leave off calling me names l
won't tell you at ull; though perhaps
that is love talk is it2 Will, promised
you say p
"Ot course you did; SO don't be all
day about it,"
II You hurry me | can't speak at all;
iUl 1t will take me sometime to think
over the objects of my love to see if you
are among them. Let me see, begin.
ming to count her fingers there is
LaIse, that's one: and Prince-tsough be
hurt your aim, you KNOW, two and
Jid Br!niie is three and Watch is four,
lud-let me see-ycS, there is-Mr
WItlaa Iremaine IL Ave.
don't think | stopped to thank her
OF that ans.cr ana ii my return to the
pasisr WAS not as rapid As MY exit from
tryt. It, II Wss certainly far more digni-
ct. ! had taken my tat aud was out OF
"a. saic before j ess. reached the house.
went home III 10 very enviable state
oi mind, resolving that | would never 20
neas her again. Bat by the time reach
ID my study my anger had cooled con-
silcFab|y, and sat down in my arm
char aud began to think Of my plan.
just as had done \ hundred times be-
fore. how | could outwit this provoking
little elf. Have her would but how !!
That Was the question.
A letter Tor you, sill" called out the
boy at the door.
took the letter and tore it open. l
was too much occupied with my thoughts
to cajo much what its contents were ::
bat the first few lines fixed MY attention.
1t WAS from an uuc.c Of nina surgeon
in hourlshIng cty--making me very
adyanta gsous offer if would come and
take his place. This was just the situa-
ton had been wanting for years, and
| hailed it with delight now.
But jessie" l hought-" could |
leave her"
A moment S reflection showed me what
was needed, for if she really cared for me
my absence would make her willing to
ackuow ledge it. t did not take long to
make my arrangements, and before night
they were all completed and the next
morning started for the station, calling
at Mrs. IIalcs Oh MY way, to bid Jes-
sic good-by. | coulo see the little witch
did not believe one word Of the story! l
told her.
Il hope, Mr.. Will, you won't break
your arm in the train it would make 1t
so bad for you, she said with queer
smile, as concluded.
And you not there to cure it, l
retortel.
But seriously, Jessie, am in earnest
now. 1t is probable | shall not see you
again for years ; for if l shall remain
there"
She still believed it some trick, for
her eyes said plainly. "You can't cheat
me again" And she said good-by as
cody as if it were only for day. |
went down the walk, feeling much as |
think Adam must have felt Paradise,
except that his Eve went with him, and
lett mine behind.
was well plelsed with the place, and
was NOT long in accepting my unele' pro-
posal. | wrote to this effect to lawyer,
desiring hun to dispose of my property
at Oakdale. | know Jessie would hear
of it, and it would give her to understand
that had no intention of returning, de-
termiued that if did not succeed this
time would give her up forever, though
my heart gave quick throb OF pam
at the thought.
1t was jast at twilight, of pleasant
September day, when | reached Oakdale'
Direct to Mr. uae's took my way say
ins over to myself as | went, ." Now or
never :" Straight up to the grave'
walk and acress the bread lawn l went
mud into the dusky parlor, unannounc'a'
By the light, saw Jessie sitting on
ntlIn