The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-11-18
THE HUSBAND oUTWITTED
A GAME FOR TWO TO PLAY:

nOSC OF Ino tllllo each udy spent Ill tic
company of Mr.. MAXWELL, the gentle
man whom Miss Ellsworth's old
friend had introduced to her one
morning on the piazza. She had sail
ed with him along the shore on the
moonlight evenings, and she had
danced with him in the thronged
drawing-rooms.
Miss Ellsworth was not a flirt, who
distributed her ideals among many
gentlemen, and she had found her
ideal well-nigh realized in Mr.. Main
well. Only the evening before, their
talk had withdrawn itself from the
general topic to which each had been
congenial, and in her admiration of
his intelligence and lnanliness, she
had encouraged an approach to that
personal sort of conversation which
relates to love and matrimony.
And now to find Mr.. Mainwell this
morning, with his coat off and a
smiths apron on, engaged in mending
q lockl He was doing it publicly.
The lock was on the door that led to
the middle of the front plaza where
the fashionable ladies and gentlemen
were sitting or promenading.
His back was towards her as she
approached, leaning on the arm OF her
friend, ma Vest She recognized
him, looked intently at him, gave her
companion over 10 party of young
ladies near, and then stopped and
spoke to him. ."
"Do you like that sort of work, Mr..
MAXWELL ?" she asked.
81 do, Miss Ellsworth. l believe ]
am q natural mechanic"
!" 1t appears very odd to see you do
ing this" ~ tieL AK z--
"It is my trade" he replied, rising
from his work and turning to her.
Her cheek blanched little. Youl
trade!" she said family.
I" Yes, trade, Miss Ellsworth. The
proprietor said the lock needed mend
ing, and told him could mend it fol
him." u,.. .......
The party of girls came along just
then, After wondering at Mr.. Main
well awhile, and laughing at him
they proposed ride.
There were three carriages for them
all. These would take the party.
Ned Whitaker here Joined them.
"What the deuce are you abou
here?" he exclaimed to Mr.. Main
well. "Ah," he added, when the lat.
ter turned and glanced at him, But
while yoa are here you might as vel
enjoy yourself" -
Mr.. MAXWELL excused himself from
joining the party, and they wen
away, leaving him to finish his work
Miss Ellsworth left him withou
any word at parting.
:. 1t is welI," he muttered to him
self. "If she cannot take me as
| am, she is not worthy of me. Th'
woman that maffiesi M'e must take mt
for myself"
He stood and looked after her unit
she had disappeared. She did no
once turn to look back.
| He gave his shoulders shrug, com
pressed his lip, uttered a cynica
humph!" aud turned to finish hi
work.
s"Let7it be so,"" he muttered, wheI
he was through and putting on hi
coat. "I thought perhaps that l hat
found p woman after mp own heart
Amidst this world Of wealth ant
fashion, she, too, has lost her soul
Let her CO."
He avoided her thereafter. He die
not seek to catch her eye for bow o
recognition. When she entered
drawing room where he was, he woult
go out by another way. But he wa
1 more thaN ever in the company o
| Whitaker. Ned, In passing to ant
fro between Miss Ellsworth and him
served still as a sort of link betWeel
them.
"You are q cynical fellow" salt
Ned, one day. Why don't you tax
the people as they are? You will
| find good enough in them"
l.' But they won't take me as 1 an
That is the trouble"
"Pooh! You see yourself that sh
allows no other suit0rs to accompan
her. Don't you see she is alone O
with the other girls the most of tn
time ?"aI 5 u .3E{s s4Yt EEs.-.
Her heart is full of vanity"
| "PshaWl She is trained to luxuri
Gus notions, that's all,p
Mainwell's trunk was awaiting hiI
and the stage, outside on the piazz,
at the time this conversation was &C
ing OH. On the trunk were his I'M
tials, G. n. Miss Ellsworth, passin
that way, saw the initials--not b
chance, for she had been very bus
scrutiniZing the trunks that lay tC
gether i'll pile-and when she say
the initials she started and turne
| pale, She Fec9yered herself, and witt
drew with hor companion little wa,
and then stood still and watchet
Presently Mr.. MAXWELL came oil
with Ned upon the piazza. Hechance
to turn his eyes toward her, and the
eyes met--met for the first time sine
size bad left him while he was at wor
upon tbs tbs iosk: ksbe aia R9t tnE 7 :
ed bis hat, The ice was broken. j
approached hey to bid hcr.good-b bye.
What the conversation was that Of
e sued Between the two when they wei
2 left alone by means of Ned's ingenu