Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-03-22

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and with that she got cross aud fell scold-
inc me, and now you must be cross with
the rest
oh, I am not cross, Nathan, am only
sadr And she turned smiling to him as
she tucked the rose in her braids.
Things were in fair way of being
smoothed between them now but, as he
had said. there are days when nothing
will 60 right, and this was one Of them.
oh. not that way. lilly = he cries, alb
ruptIy Withdrawing the rose from the
crown of braids in which she had set it
that is too high and he replaced it so
that it quite dropped against her neck.
There. docs that please you! she
asked, when it was done, smiling with as
much brightness as she could-her rose
had always pleased him till then, no mat
ter how she wore it--a fact she could not
but remember.
He made no immediate answer, but with
out ceremony pushed the hai- away from
her forehead then. after observing her at
tentively. said =: We'll. yes, better. ;
Indeed !! she replied; and then, with
that rcprOachful generosity women know
80 we'll how to use, she said : However
my hair is, yours is certcinly arranged to
perfection !: I never saw it 80 very pretty
and becoming
'Is it though !! I'm glad you think so
for was particularly anxious to look well
this evening, and not quite satisfied with
my own judgment.
You would have looked we'll enough in
my eyes any way, you know. size answer
cd. well pleased, and supposing the anx-
iety had reference only to herself.
oh, you're very good to say 80, Tilly ;
allow me to make my pr0fOundest bow
and, smiling gayly, he stopped and touch
cd his lips to her haud. And then he
said 4 forgot, really, that was not to
offend in that way any more
You have not offended, Matilda an.
that told plainly he had offended in some
way.
We'll, am tated for to-day says Ma
than. Suppose we go in.
She stood in the path for one moment
her great, solemn eyes fixed on lin as
if they grew there. Was this, then her
Nathan p!
4 whole revelation is made to us some
times hy single word or look. and this
brief interview had made one to Motilda.
She knew as well as she knew she was
alive that Nathan Armstrong was not the
great hearted, true. hearted Nathan she
had taken him for; but yet. with that
blind perversity that inheres in the nature
of woman, she tried with all her might to
shut out the truth.
Yes, let us go in,' she said, in low.
strange voice, as she withdrew her eyes
from that searching look into tie soul of
her lover.
He was startled by the something in the
tone which the words did not themselves
say, and drawing her arm through his, de-
tanned her by gentle force. Not yet he
said, 1T is SO pleasant heres and after q
slight pause added. and am 50 happy
Matilda could not help thinking he added
the last words to satisfy her, and not to
satisfy any necessity there was for saying
them in himself. 1t was Nathan's voice,
to be sure, but Nathan's heart was not in
the voice.
There were some hives of bee on a rude
bench beneath peach-trce in one corner
of the garden, and Nathan catching at them
as for dear life, asked Matilda dozen
questions about their habits and the best
method Of rearing them. She replied SO
briefly and concise that the sub cct was
soon exhausted, and he was obliged to cast
about for something else. The currant
bushes were discussed. but they were not a
very prolific subject either, and then the
raspberry vines had their turn, and after
that the hops. and the turnips. and pota-
toes. And then the late rain and its dam
age to the crops; and this at last brought
out q genuine utterance, and left the me-
chanical utterancc. to so for nothing--just
what they were worth.
Il am sick of farming, and of the like of
farmer.' was the exclamation that had
the ring Of sincerity in it.
oh, Nathan, how can you say 80. and
with such nice lot of land as you havc!'
Aud then Matilda dwelt on the beauty of
the woods and the orchards and the springs
of water, and the hills with their sheep and
cattle. 'All it needs to make it perfect,
she said, 'is white cottage nestled under
the maple. trees at the end Of the lane.
That's a pretty notion enough that of
love in "a cottage said Nathan, chilling all
her enthusiasm bat be, hanged if he
lievc in it much, after all ! Any how, I'm
sick OF farming ; it's all hard and hateful,
and I'm sick Of it !"
You don't believe in love in cottage,
after all After all WHAT
.Oh, | don't knOw-after all that's been
said about it, Nathan answered with u
slight tone Of impatence.
well, 4, believe in it. and / wouldn't
believe in anything else il cOuld!' And
Matilda began to paint the picture with all
the glowing colors that the loving heart re-
fleets SO we'll upon the outward world but
Nathan interrupted her by an ejaculation
SO completely out OF sympathy with her
that she could not 60 on, and both felt it q
relief when Mrs Hastings, from the open
window Of the kitchen. called out, Come
children, supper is ready,
What pains she had taken that Nathan
miss nothing to which he was used at home
and how delicious aud plentifully Lospta-
ble it all was! The tea pot was of tin, to
be sure, but bright as silver. and the tray
was covered with napkin as fine as her
cunning fingers could spin, and as white US
the driven snow. The bread was scarce
" less white, and the butter was golden
and hard, and all printed over with field
lilies. Then there was the honey, and the
goose berries, and the cake, and the cream
but what need that we should name all
the inviting delcacies there spread outl
Come, Natty, you shall sit opposite Til
w. SAYS Mrs. Hastings. herself sitting
down but Nathan blushed, aud stamner-
ed an excuse-he was sorry, Int he could
not drink tea with them that night he had
promised to be at home.
But we will not have you excused cries