Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-04-12

knowledge or consent and hers responded
all against her will, by filling her eyes
with tears. Then he repeated the words
Yes it is all owing to you, Matilda and
he spoke her name this time in a whisper,
and with his face very close to hers.
When the child is quite out of danger,
thought she to herself, | will give him back
that baukchec!1 that lie had the audacity
to send me; and she studied over in her
mind very grand little speech that she
would make OH the occasion. HE shall
see that can do without him, she said,
'and his money too, into the bargain.
But one while the child was asleep, and
another time she was fretful, and another
the grandmother was about. SO there
seemed no favorable time tor the placing
of herself in her true position.
Then, too. Nathan looked so old and
seemed so weary that she could not bear
to add a feathers weight to burdens he al
ready bore. still she was fully resolved
that when the fortunate hour really struck,
why then she would relcave her mind
once for all. And in due course of time
the hour struck. Eunce was out of all
danger, and with Il heap of expensive toys
about her was sitting Oh the snow-white
quilt. prattling of a thousand things with
"
with returning health.
Nathan had been away all the afternoon.
and Matilda had taken the opportunity to
set her house in order, for she desired that
things should shine at their best.
| The dimity curtains were hung afresh !;
the frilled pliow-cascs were in use and
| flowers-just enough and not to many
were placed here and there. Little EuDice
was like daisy in her pretty night gown.
and with the soft wool socks Oh her feet
which she herself had knitted.
And when the house was in order and
| the child dressed she arrayed herself and
braided her long dark locks with unusual
care. And when she sat down by the win
dow. with the check in her pocket, to wait
for Nathan. she felt calm, collected, and
equal To her task.
There was little flutter of the heart.
just Il little, as his step rung Oh the door
stone. and. looking up, she saw his face so
much brighter and younger than she had
seen it till now. The gladncss in her owu
answered that brightness before she was
aware, and then she lowered her eyes with
what she meant to be very quiet eoidness.
But Nathan had caught the first look, and
before the second was got ready for him
he was by her side and had her hand L.
his.
Matilda. he said, with tender gravity,
where do you suppose | have been these
three hours?
Matilda was sure she did not know, and
her manner and tone We're designed to con-
vey the idea that she did not care. He did
not heed this, but kept her hand though
she made an effort to withdraw it.
L have been sitting under the peach
tree by the bce-hives, where we sat st long
ago, and saw the sun so down-do you
L.,
cr risen for me--shail it rise now 2
Still She was silent, her hand fumblin1
With the check.
1T has been long night, Matilda. twenty
years is not that long enough ?
Still she said nothing her grand speech
was all gone from her, and she could no:
recall one word oft
There is something for vou,' she staW-
mered AZ last, endcavorins to get the OBJ
noXious paper in his hand.
And here is something for yoI>' he an
swcrcd, unlocking u small gold case and
producing witherrd flower. You reius
ed it W hen offered it last, viii you have
it now. Il was fresh and voting then
like nly life and it is Ike my life nov,
faded, faint not worth your acceptance
know
Shc did not life her hand to take it,
Let us adjust this matter first she salt
at length, ready making him see this tint
what it was she offered.
.On one condition, Matilda sill speak
ing in the same tone OF tender gravity
What is that.
That YOU give me the hand as we'll.
And can You think you deserve it Sir!
h,tilta I n,n l.p a,,J, Of -
sort. | deserve Notwithstanding at YOU
hands. God knows i}nt whatever IN,
faults has been. whatever my faults art
now loah At my gray hairs, lock tlSousl
any eyes down to my soil that is empty .
ali delight, ana tell me- if you 10 not thini
have Suffered enongh. Ii mot, it is il
yout power, Matilda. to add what more
yau Will =
There Was a deep si!enee--thc twilight
was goue and the gray evening settline
down with clouds and sighing winds.
lind so You refuse my flower : he said
at last. Then there viii he 10 mor,
morning. no more light for me-
Papa. papa did YOU say ther wonld nev
er be any more light = called little Eunic,
from where she sat among her heap of toy
on the sa,N white coanterptne.
And will it always ne night then, dear
Ipapaf And she began to cry.
4 don't know, my darling. Perhaps
you can vet make lltle light for me IL
tn. world, bat il is very dark now.
He had gone to the bedside IN answer Il
her crying, and he had her in his arms IVY
caressing anli rying TO sootSc, thlpgh hi,
voice It's he did So wes iaIte,ius and cAo,,ec
with tears.
She had her two little hands in her eyes
and kept moaning and making piteous ado
all at once she looked up aud said, with ca
ger gladness,
'Itwi!i he light hy-and by won't it be
Aunt Tilly' Come tel! papa it will b,
light, and make him s lad, woA't you, deal
Aunt 'Iilly ?
But Matilda Only turned away her face
and drew a long, long sigh.
She is crying, papa whispered TIN
child, and know what il is about it i
all about her tiuger- ring, because it is sucI
"a little slender one. Oh. papa, it it COS
so much she told me so, and she sad
mustn't tell you. But will tell You an,
you will give her a beautiful new one
won't you, papa! land then she won't cry
Matilda had hidden her face in her hand
and was crying in earnest now. Then th
child woald be carried to her. and place,
on her knees. Don't cry, Aunt Tllly,
she pleaded. twining her arms about he
neck and kissing her. Papa will give yo,
a new ring, and then he will stay here, AM
III l,,-1 a