The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-09-30
Seleet Sturu.
THE HUSBAND OUTWITTED.
A GAME FOR TWO TO PLAY.

A week at the watering place, and
most of the time each day spent in the
company of Mr.. MAXWELL, the gentle.
man whom Miss Ellsworth's old friend,
Ned WhittaSer, had introduced to her
one day on the piazza. She had sailed
with him along the shore ou the moon.
light evenings, and she had danced
with him In the throngcd drawing.
rooms.
Miss Ellsworth was not Airt who
distributed her ideals among many gen.
tlemen, and she found her ideal we'll.
nigh realized in Mr. MAXWELL. Only
the evening before their talk had with
drawn itself from the general topics to
which each had been congeuial, aud in
her admiration Of his intelligence and
manliuess, she had encouraged an ap.
proach to personal sort Of conversation
which relates to love aud matrimony.
And now to find Mr.. MAXWELL this
morning, with his coat of and smiths
apron on engaged in mcnding lock
He was doing it publicly. The lock
was on the door that led to the middle
of the frort piazza where the fashiouably
dressed ladies aud gentlemen were sit
ting or promenadiug.
His back was towards her as she ap.
preached, leaning on the arm of Anna
West. She recognized him, looked in.
tently at him, gave her companion over
to a party of young ladies near, mud then
stopped and spoke to him.
"Do you like that sort of work, Mr..
Mainwell?" she asked.
~ do, Miss Ellsworth. believe |
am natural mechanic"
"It appears very odd to see you doing
this"
SIT is my trade" ho replied, raising
from his work and turning to her.
Her cheek hlanched little. "Your
tradep she said, family.
"Yes, trade, Miss Ellsworth. The
proprietor said tho lock needed mend.
ing, and I told him l could mend it for
him."
The party Of girls came along just
then. After wondering at Mr.. Main
we'll 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 tho deuce are you about
hereH" he exclaimed to Mr.. MAXWELL.
"Ah," he added when the latter turned
aud glanced at him. "But while YOU
are hero, you might as well enjoy
yourself"
Mr.. MAXWELL excused himself from
joining the party, and they all went
away, leaving him to finish his work.
Miss Ellsworth left him without any
word at parting.
alt is wcll," he muttered to himself.
eff she cannot take me as l am, she is
not worthy Of me. Tho woman that
marries mo must take mo for myself"
He stood and looked after her until
she had disappeared. She did not once
turn to look back.
He gave his shoulders shrug, com.
pressed his lip, uttered q cynical
"humphp and turned to finish his work.
"Lct il be So" he muttered, When
he was through aud was putting on his
coat; II thought perhaps that 1 had
found a woman after my own heart
Amidst this world Of wealth and fash.
ion, she, too, has lost her soul. Let
her Co."
He avoided her thereafter. He did
not seek to catch her eye for bow Of
recognition. When she entered draw
ing room where he was, he would 60
out by another way. But he was more
than eyer in the company Of Ned
Whitaker. Ned, in passing to snd fro
between Miss Ellsworth and him, served
as sort of link between them.
"You are a cynical fellow, said Ned, \