Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-09-07


the direction of Morcland villa since tha
singular meeting had with the person wh'
II ld since played so conspicuous part il
our thoughts, if not In our eycs-exccp
twice. when had gone with Mr.. BurtoI
thrcu sh the vicinity. in hopes of tracing
her from the point of her disappearance
but to-day, mechanically chose that roa,
led thither by the chain of association
Snow glistened on the hilltops. the shore,
Of the river were skirted with ice, though
its central current still rolled blucly be
tween those crystal walls. 1t was srnse
when began my walk before reached
the villa the pink flush was fading away
from the snowy submits one large star
preternaturally bright. hung over the tur
rets of the lonely house, shining through
the flush Of twilight: grey shadows stretch
ed over the barren hillsides, and cole
steel blue tinged the ice in the river. How
deSolatc the place looked. stripped OF it,
summer garments! leaned over the gate
while the night approached, making pie
ture of how the villa would have appeared
ut this hour, had that which had happened
not happened. 1t would have been Il blaze
Of light full of flowers and fcasting and
happy human creatures. 1t had been tn,
intention of the young couple to go inme
diately to their new home, after the wed
ping breakfast, and to begin their house
keeping with reception of their friends
that same evening. Instead Of warmth
and light, gay laughter and music, rolling
carriages and praneing horses. feasting con
graduation. love. beauty and happiness
there was silence and dcsertion, oh, how
appaI ling could not bear the contrast
between what was and what should have
been.
Before returning to the village thought
would call upon the gardeners wife. Mrs
Scott, and inquire if she had any tidngs o
Miss Sullivan though knew very well il
she had she would have let me heard them
without waiting for visit from me. had
grown chilly, leaning so long over the gate
after my rapid walk. and the glow through
the window of the little cottage standing ut
the back Of the kitchen garden. looked in,
viting. | made my way around to the gat,
at the back of the premises. and was sool
knocking at the door. had heard Mrs
Scott singing her baby to sleep as l ap
preached the house but after / knocked
there was silence, vet no one answered til.
summons.
] knocked thrice, the last time ratlle,
imperativclv, for was chilly and did no,
like waiting so long. when knEw mus,
be heard. At this the door was opened Il
little way, very cautiously. the mistress
peerins ou. susp piciouslv
Laws Mr.. Redleld is it You throw
in, the door wide open. Il beg your pardon
for keeping YOU waiting If I'd had any j.
dee it was VOC. | shonlden.t IL been scared
"But husbands gone to the village, and
was alone with the children, and when yo,
knocked so suddcm nv heart came RICH,
up in my mouth. didn't like to see Wht
it was. Do come in. How cold it's ou
Tonight. You look real blue. Take f,
chair by the stove and warm Yourself. I'm
real ashamed kept You standing so long
How is all the family. sir ?
About as usual Mrs Scott. So you are
cowardly when YOU are alone of evenings
ire you I've mistaken Your character then;
I've given you credit for bcin. one of tn,
strong minded women
Wal; the truth is she said apO.Ogetic-
ally. 4 never used to be afraid of anything
dead or alive. But since young Mr.. Hen.
~ was took away sosudden. I've been ncr-
vous and frightened like. I've meyer GOT
over the shock. ri holler right out. some
times in broad daylight. if anything star
ties me. if it is only door slanlning. Illus.
band laughs at me and scolds me, but
can't help it.
Nobody is going to hurt yo", because
another had an evil happen to him.
i know that as we'll as anybody. Its
not because I've reason to be atcaid, that
the shock, you see. There, tllcr.
johnny, be still, will you I used to =,
all ovct the place the darkest night that
over was-nut now. really. | am ashamed
to tell you, | dasn't put my face out attel
dark
Il should think it would he unpleasant
such chronic state of fear and hall
smilcd, through my own melancholy, at the
the womans anxious face.
'Onplca>ant reckon it is, mighty on.
pleasant. But there is reason for it,
'You just acknowledged that there was
no reason-that it was fancy, Mrs. Scott
You're goin' to trip me over nv OwI
words, Mr.. Redlield. 1t raS fancy, at first
lust Nervousness but latclv-latcly, us
said there's been things
.What things
Il know you'll laugh at me sir; and YOU
won't half believe lie neither-So | CUES,
I'd better not make fool of myself before
YOU. But if YOU. or any other living person
had seen what seen. and heard what
heard. then you'd know what know
that's all
She spnkc with such eyid mt carncstncss
..I a