Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-10-06

taSSiCu ouIiS ooeyeu uoT ciueI SiStcE Ue'
hest, the euergesically whispered words,
dignity Of the family-nothing but a
confidential clerk" reached Hartwell's
ear. together with Miss Lizzie's pettish
reply:
II don't care-l like him !"
The next morning the Confidential
Clerk exchanged the ''little room over the
kitchen for more comfortable and spa
cious apartment in the village inn, whence
he calmly superintended the projected
improvements at Martinstower, and all
the gossip betw cen himself and Lizzie was
in the course Of her daily rambles tbro'
the Martinstower woods. If Blanche
and Viola had only known the rapidly
cementing friendship that had sprung up
between the two. what shock their aris-
tocratic tendencies would have received
Lizzie Lizzie Elliot! l am asham-
ed Of you."
But, papa, he says he loves me ~
"Loves you!" echoed Viola, holding
up both hands. Papa, only listen to
her. A paltry clerk, to dare fall in love
with our Lizzie.''
"A mere child, too-not seventeen"
chimed in Blanche, whose twenty.sevonth
birthday was looming darkly over ber.-
"Papa, l wish you would buy Lizzie d
doll and send her to boarding-schooi."
Girls, girls, will you give me chance
to speak !" painted Mr.. Elliot, t,despairing-
ly. "Lizzie, don't know which aston.
ishes me the most-this fellows audacity
or your ridiculous folly"
Papa" said Lizzie, gravely. Il in-
tend to marry him.
"Silence !" thundered the old gentle.
man. "You shall not marry him! I'll
write to Maurice Martin to discharge tie
impudent puppy at once!'
The evening meal was already spread,
and the lamps lighted, when Mr.. Elliot
came in, the next night. Blanche was
reading, in graceful pose that she studi.
ed on all occasions. and Viola was clip.
ping the dead leaves off her favorite gera.
mum.
Where's Lizzie, girls ~ said the o d
gentleman, taking his seat in front of the
pile of bu.tered toast, and literally help.
ing himself.
In her room, l suppose returned
Viola. IL have twice rung the bell"
"Go after her then. She's sulking af.
ter her sweetheart, suppose comment
cd Mr.. Elliot.
Viola went. but returned almost immc.
diately, with perplexed looking face.
She is not there papa but this note
lay on her table,"
Mr.. Elliot broke the seal, and hurried
ly glanced at the tremulously written
words. with face pale as ashes.
by the time you have read these
words. dearest papa, your Lizzie will be
another's. shall marry Mr.. Hartwell.
l hope it is not wrong. Indeed, indeed,
| loved him."
As he folded the note with stern, rigid
features, light step crossed the ..h-e,h
old, and Lizzic's arms were aroand his
neck, the Confidential Clerk standing by
the door, with a face where pride and in.
domitable resolution struggled tor the
mastery.
Papa, forgive me-forgive us?'
"I'll see you hanged first !" roared the
old gentleman, turning purple round the
mouth. Begone, both of you. Beg
starve, if you like but never come to
me for aid or help"
" Ridiculous ~ scolded Blanche.
" Preposterous!" sobbed Viola.
:" BE it so," said the clerk, quietly
Lizzie, we need nothing more than one
another's love. Come, my little wife ="
+" But, papa persisted Lizzie, 4" l
wanted to explain
will you begone - calculated Mr..
Elliot, opening the door wide, and mo-
tioning towards the twilight road.
"The unnatural mink - murmured
Blanche.
i" Married at sixteen-the inpcr;inent
thing" sputtered Viola.
And so Lizzie and her husband left the
untriendly shadow of the paternal roof.
Blanche Elliot, surrounded by an at
mosphere Of lavendar, vinegar and eau.
de cologne, was just coming out Of the
Mysteries into which Lizze's unprecedent.
ed conduct had thro. her. when there
was low rap ct the door, and a young
man, bearing a peculiar looking foreign
carpet bag in his hand appeared.
"This is NJ. Elliot, l suppose"
"Yes, sir; returned the old gentle
man, hesitating whether to embrace the
stranger as Maurice Martin. or repel him
as an en.issary from the obnoxious Con.
fden:ial Clerk.
"An-so | concluded. Has Mr.. Mar.
tin been here to-day?'
Mr.. Elliot started.
MIR. Martin is in Parnaham, Brazil" :"
81 beg your pardon. sir" returned the
young man ; 81 am his secretary. and
am quite convinced that he is at this
present time at his family estate at Mar.
tinstowcr. Perhaps | had better seek
him there. l am told that it is but Il
mile or two further on"
He retreated. bowing with a foreign
prolusion Of courtesy, leaving Mr.. Elliot
overwhelmed with amazement.
"My dear !" he said. hurrying back to
the sit,ing,Ioom. II must 60 up to Mar
tinstower at once. Mr.. Martin has ar
rived at last"
Blanche sat up, tossing the bright
drops of cologne from her curls.
"Oh, papa you will be sure to bring
him back to supper p
IN try, ny dear-Ill try" said the
Aurried senior.
pana - eiacnlated Viola avou aro