Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-09-29

PoEtoi. .t ..-
Morton. why do you say that 7 Did
you ever care for her I"
It was unlike his father to ask such q
question, that he stared on instant before
replying "Yes, rs shall never care for
another. Eut she threw me away as IN
impediment in her path, in her mad career
to position and wealth." If she has gain
ed the FIRST, the latter will surely come !;
snd if she 10 gratifed her friends should
not complain and for one, l will not."
You we're so young Morton, when she
went away. that you ought to have for
gotten that boyish fancy, and long ere
this have found one on whom to bestow
your heart and name."
Perhaps! But you sec I have not,
nor with my present estimate Of female
constancy you will not be troubled to set
up separate establishment very soon. I"
That proud man looked on his son for
a moment, irresolute; but bis love was
stronger than his pride. The destroying
Of that letter he had ever regarded as but
removing dangerous plaything from his
child; but this outraging the feelings Of
a man was crime; and at last be bad
come to see it as such, and bowed his
head for an instant upon his hands. The
son rose to go.
"Come back. Morton he said. "Did
l ever wrong you as child? 2"
Never" he replied, in tones Of sur
prise.
"Then | will not longer, as a man. l
thought l was doing right! Though l
was taking step to eventually enhance
your happiness and If erred, as I fear
l did, it was from my jealous care for
you. I did not think you would suffer
much, or for long. But find l was
mistaken and regret the act. broke up
your correspondence with Lucy Merry
man."
"You, father 2"
"Yes, kept back the letters in which
she informed you Of the contemplated re.
moval, and gave her future address,
"And she has been left, through all
these long years, to suppose the neglect
was mine y
"Yes. but did not think"
Enough! She shall know now! l
will write-no, l will 60"
And the next train of cars that went
whirring through among the mountains,
westward. numbered Morton Whitcomb
among its passengers.
Before leaving. the father had placed
a sealed note in his hands, addressed to
Miss Lucy Merryman and with the
words: "You will not have to humble
yourself to accuse your father, the note
explains all"
Miss Merryman had not taken her place
in school since the death Of her mother,
and was one day wandering, llstless and
sad about the beautiful grounds surround.
g her uncle's residence.
She had succeeded in all things beyond
her most sanguine expectations. As a
teacher she was unrivalled /; and she
had host of warm friends, and was
treated as a beloved daughter in her un.
cle's house. that now boosted second
mistress. In fact. had become all she
had resolved to become when she had
said so firmly, II will rise-l will sue.
ceed, and the future must take care it.
self ~ in that little brown house, on that
long ago spring morning. But was she
happy? Her dear mother was asleep un.
der sods, not yet green; and hidden away
in the secret chamber OF memory was
that early love that had promised SO much
and given so little.
She stopped to gather flower, and as
she turned, on rising, Morton Whitcomb
stood before her.
why had he come, if he could not
explain his unaccountable silence p she
asked herself, and laid her hand in his,
believing what she most wished to believe.
"Will you come in?" she said, her
eyes dropping before his earnest gaze.
mot now, Lucy sit with me in this
garden chair for little while, please. 1
have much to say to you, and would say
it here" lie spoke in his old, loving
tones. and she suffered him to retain her
hand and lead her to the seat.
Il have letter for you, Lucy" and
he handed her the note.
AT last" she sail, raising her eyes
to his.
"Spare me-" he replied, "until you
read it,"
And she did read all the humiliating
confession Of the proud man, who had
humbled himself from love to his son.
"How dared he tamper with my let.
ter !" she said, her cheeks burning and
her eyes flashing with Indignation.
He is my father Lucy!'
Yes, and as your father, l forgive
him."
THANK you" and drawing her closer
to him, re said =: "One more boon may
he be yours in name? Will you be my
wife. Lucy, and be as you have been to
me the dearest object on earth 7"
The angry spot faded from her cheeks,
and the love.light came softly to her eyes,
as she answered gently:
~ will be your wife. Morton; and.
oh. love me always, for there are but few
to dc SO now"
Six weeks later Lucy returned bride
to the home Of her childhood. No one
but themselves and the regretfal father
knew Of their long estrangement.
The ten thousand dollars in her own
right was Line days wonder to the eos.
sips, but to no ono was il more Of sur.
prise than to her husband and Judge
Nhitcomb.
"And so my consummate folly came