Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-03-15

shV hOucShSSpSIs NhO PiONCu AVsoCii ihoGt
efficient. She had suggested beneficial
changes for the puny children, out of the
store of her motherly wisdom, and been
gratilied by their Improvement. When
people dared to gossip about him, it was
generally admitted his housekeeper, Mrs.
Mayo, stood the best chance for becomine(
mistress, and was eminently fitted tor the
place. Bnt as it was not filled, and as
DR.. McKinstry wentsgravely about his
every day duties, attracted by no face
young or old, he caused to be a subject Of
speculation.
Clydc's cousins, boys they had all BEEN
were married and gone from home. Now
and then DR.. McKinstry offered his ser
vices in matter of fact way, when Clyde
needed them, and no one else was at hand
She accepted them in the same spirit. At
twenty she was not likely to be dreaming
of such lover.
And so. when Bessie Trainor had sent
her an invitation to the ball, and more
urgent one to stay all night, DR.. Mekin-
stry had offered to take her over. Fred
Graniss had invited her afterwards, but
she did not think it worth while to recon.
sider Fred was rather sweet upon the
young girl, and she stood in little dread
ofit. -.
And so, Clyde was much moved by that
sentence of DR.. McKinstry's. She fell in
to a silence of musing, looking with idle
eyes over the sparkling snow, that lay SO
soft aud white everywhere. The tinkie of
the bells, the scarcely perceptible sound of
the horses feet, ahd the crunch of the
sleigh runner, was all that disturbed the
beautiful night. Something strange came
oven Clyde.-Who could she ever make
happy'
DR. McKinstry reined his horse up il,
front OF the hotel amongst a crowd of turn
outs of every description. Il am afraid
you haven't enjoyed the ride so very
much, ha said, slowly.
Because l was silent! 1t has been
most delightful ;
Some one came down the steps, and
peered at her. 1t was Mark Trainor.
%. he said 'is that you. DoctOr' And
have you little Miss Denavan there! Bess
has been going on about her for the last
half hour
why. | am early, retorted little Miss
Donayan.
'Earlv' Mark gave whistle I'll
take her, Doctor! and he did take he,
She glanced back. DR.. McKinstry stood
at his horses head, grave, almost apa-
thetic expression, shadowing his face. lie
was above medium size. strongly, rather
than elegantly made. Somehow YOU would
seem to understand at onc- that there had
been great trial of sorrow in the man $
life. 1t had left him patient and tender,
ready to sacrifice himself, ifnecd be. Clyde
| ~ hn IL
make him happy.
Bessie, and Il host Of other girls were
/ there in the dressing-room. They kissed
! Clyde, told her that she looked lovely
begged her to tie n ribbon, or tasten some
flowers into somebody's hair. They all
talked and laughed together.
oh, he's splendid! Bessie said. in ans
wcr to one of the girls. New, see who
will make a conquest. cannot enter the
lists. You know.
who! said Clyde, looking mp.
%, Mr.. Bruce. He is boarding here.
He is to be book keeper in the new wool
en- mill, and has come up 70 see about the
machinery, and some other matters. He
is real entertaining and agreeable. like
him Come girls! are You ready! There's
the music, and here come new crowd
They went down into the large room,
that was everything by turus. Bessie clung
to Ciydc. She had two or three secrets to
whisper in her ear There were several
gentlemen waiting for them, grouped to-
gether, discussing ordinary country topics.
One stood a trife apart. Clyde knew in
IA moment it must be Mr.. Bruce. Mara
Trainor, as landlords son, began to do the
| honOrs. And 80 it came to pass that Clyde
was the last to be introduced; consequent
ly, Mr.. Bruce fingered by her. Perhaps,
too, because he felt acquainted with Bessie
They spoke of the weather aud the sleigh
ing. Mr.. Bruce pronounced it wonderful
ly fine, and declared himself quite in love
with Milford. He confessed he had been a
! little afraid of a months loneliness.
! And told him the ball was in his hon
or said Bessie, archly. Il am tn open it
with him. DO you know. l had hall a
mind to send him after yOu?'
AClyde almost wished she had No, it
was such pleasure for DR.. McKinstry to
bring her.
After Mr.. Bruce had danced once with
Bessie, he came hack to Clyde, and ensag-
ed her tor several quadriles. He was ex-
travagautly fond OF dancing. So Was she.
And this was Just the kind of ente tain
ment at which one might enjoy ones self
thoroughly. Mr.. Bruce confessed that
these country bellies and beaux were not
deficient in refinement and courtesy and,
as to beauty and taste, would bear iavora
BILE comparison with tho circle in which he
moved. Especially Clyde Donavan.-
There was something very attractive about
her. Her dainty figure. her low. musical
voice, and the winsone grace Of every mo-
ton, was pleasing indeed. to u man with
the iastidiOus notions about women that AL
ton Bruce held.
Supper made break in the dancing, but
it went on merrily afterwards. A right
enjoyable time for all. Bright young faces
and glad young voices can transform every
day life into an enchanted land, with a spell
as potent as Il nagioian's wand. Every
one went home delighted. Clyde and Bes-
sic, sleepy aud happy, could neither tell
secrets nor lay plans.
But they talked them over the next
morning sitting in Bessies cosy room,
where wood fire crackled and burned on
the hearth, sending out glow rs pretty
in its way, as the sunshine that crept in at
the window. Bessie was to be married,
and Clyde was to be bridesmaid. so there
was no end to the consultation. Aud she
wanted Clyde to so into town some day,
to do some shopping Would she!
OF course. 1t was SO deli ,htful. Clyde
kindied into charming glrlish interest.
They appointed day, and made out list