North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-04-14
Two can Play at that Ga m ..

week at watering place, and mos
of the time each day spent in the company
Of MIR. MAXWELL, the gentleman whom
Miss Ellsworth's old friend, Ned Whtta
ker. had introduced to her one morning
on the piazza. She had sailed with him
had strollcd or ridden with him along the
shore on the moonlight evening, and she
had danced with him in the thronred
drawing-rooms.
Miss Ellsworth was not girl who dis.
tributcd her ikings among many gentle.
= men; and she had found her ideal well
s.slsh realized in Mr.. MAXWELL. Orly the
evening before, their talk had withdrawn
itself from the general topics which to
each had been congenial, and in her ad-
miration of his intelligence and manliness,
she had encouraged an approach to that
personal sort of conversation which relates
to love and matrimony.
And now to find Mr.. MAXWELL this
morning, with his Goa: off and sn.ith $
apron on, engaged in mending lock lie
was doing it publicly. The lock was on
the door that led to the middle of the front
piazza where the fashionably dressed la
dies and gentlemen were sitting or prom
naiing.
His back was towards her as she ap-
preached, leaning on the arm of her friend,
Anna West. She recognised him, looked
intently at him, gave her companion over
to party Of young ladies near, and then
stopped and spoke to him.
Do you like that sort Of work, Mr.Main.
well p she asked.
81 do, Miss Ellsworth. believe l am
a natural mechanic"
Is II opnaarS odd - coo vo,, lo.pu
1t is my trade," he replied, rising
from his work and turning to her.
Her cheek blanched little: "Your
trader she said family.
My trade. Miss Ellsworth. The pro-
prietor said the lock needed mending, and
l told him could mend it for him."
The party of girls came along just then.
After wondering at Mr.. MAXWELL awhile,
and lauA hing at him, they proposed ride.
There were three carriages among them
all. These would take the party.
Ned Whitaker here joined them.
What the deuce are you about herc?''
he exclaimed to Mr.. MAXWELL. "Ah y
he added when the latter turned and
glanced at him. But while you are here
you might as well enjoy yourself"
Mr.. MAXWELL excused himself from
joining the party, and they all went away
leaving him to complete his work.
Miss Ellsworth left him without any
words Of parting.
. 1t is WE'LL" he muttereG to himself
III she cannot take me as am she is no,
worthy of me. The woman that marie.
me must take me for myself
He stood and looked after her until sht
had disappeared. She did not once turr
to lock back.
lie gave his shoulders shrug, com
pressed his lips, uttered cynical 'humph!
and turned TO finish his work.
"Let it be so," he muttercd, when h,
was through and was putting on his coat
" thought perhaps that l had found {
woman after my own heart. But let j
be SO. Amidst this world of wealth ant
fashion she too has lost her soul. lie
her CO."
lie avoided her thereafter. lie did no
seek to catch her eye for a bow of recog
milton. When she entered drawing
room where he was, he would 90 out b,
another way. Bat he was more than eve
in the company Of Ned Whitaker. Ned
in passing to and fro between Miss Ellis
worth and him, served still as sort O
link between them.
You are cynical fellow said Ned
one day. "Why don't you take people a
they are2 You'll find good enough il
them" tth tN
But they won't take me as am. Tha
is the trouble"
Poh you see yourself that she allow
no other suitors to accompany her. Dom
you see she is alone or with the girls mos
Of the timer
:" Her heart is full Of vanity"
+" Pshaw She is trained to luxuriou
notions, that's all.''
Mainwell's trunk was awaiting him ant
the stage. outside on the piazza, at tn
time this conversation was going on. On
the trunk were his initials, G. NJ. Mis-
Ellsworth, passing that way, saw the ini
tials-not by chance, for she had bee,
very busy scrutinizing the trunks that LAY
together in q pile-and when she saw tn,
initials she started and tarned pale. Sh
recovered herself, and withdrew with he
companion a little way, ard then stoot
still and watched. Presently Mr.. Main
well came out with Ned upon the piazza
BE chanced to turn his eyes toward her
and their eyes met-met for the first tim,
she had left him while he was at worl
upon the lock. She did net turn ava,
her eyes. She bowed. lie lifted his hat
Tho ice was broken. lie approached hel
to bid her goodbye.