Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1869-10-21

Nell managed TO draw the latter aside
and told him of the button-hoIe bouque,
Of moss-buds, which made the Young
man glow with delight. and give Nell
look of rapture that did not make her
stont little heart flutter bit.s Suse
she knew that he saw nothins Dag.
gie's face in the midst cfs a s-roscs
though at that momer& IS Maggie
was on the piazza ~ some Young
ladies and Doctor NE. who after.
ward made horn = .touble than either
she Or he thought Of. Doctor Blythe
was dapper little body. full of fun,
and rather fond of practical jokes,
never oaiag1be-aeast-sel 6ieuec m
that way.
At the proper hour the party fled
into the tea-rvom, where Aunt Peggy
sat at the head of the table. beaminy
shines Of welcome on all. and hanked
by two stout domestics. who were all
readiness TO hand about delicious cups
of tea and coffee. and the more sub
stantial parts of the entertainment
Nell saw her guests well disposed OF.
and managed to have Tom at gooi
distance from Maggie, who had been
escorted in by Fred. Much laughing
and talking prevailed if there was not
much wit, there was plenty that passed
for it. and that answered all purposes
In the midst of all. some one called out
10 Fred
why. Fred heard this afternoon
that there was an idea of your going
Ia China FOR several wears. and that
You were to start at once. Is that
true -
Maggie's heart gave great ihump,
and she listened brcathIcssly FOR The
answer.
My uncle does wish me 10 20. |
had a letter from him to-day, and am
to decide by Monday. If 90. mus,
start for New York then and sail on
wednesday, but I've not quite decided
yet"
Dear me !" said Aunt Peggy that
Is short notice; 10 get the news on
Saturday and have to say yes or no by
the next Monday. The youRg fls-
will miss you deal if you 90, aud %
will the old folks too"
Here arose general chorus protest
Ing that he must not go. they could not
spare hin-all joining with the excep-
tion of Maggie, who couldn't speak.
and Tom. who wouldn't; for Tom,
with all his hopes. and an uneasy, irel.
ing that. although he would miss Fred
quite n much as the rest, it would be
ia a totally different manner. therefore
he thought il would be ycA for Fred IL
improve his knowledge" or geography
and gain some information in regard 10
China and the customs Of its iDhahi-
tants. In the midst Of the talking
Fred managed to say, in an under tone,
TO Maggie.
Somebody else will decide for me II
| get the button-hole bouquet, Ill un-
dersiand that means stay. Don't you
think ought to have it, when it was
made on purpose for me
All hich was Greek 10 poor Maggie,
and she did not dare 10 ask an explain
alton. for her breath was coming and
going in such tiuttering way that she
would not be able 10 control her voice
SO she sat mute. while many Of the 9th
ers we're eagerly talking 10 Fred and
Tom, regarding her from u distance
WAS sure she would have preferred
having him By her-Ton being pos.
sessed of good share Of self-conccit
When tea was over, they tiocke,
back To the parl"r, where dancing soon
commenced. But things did not g
well with the unfortunate lovers. Fred
had jealousy and obstinacv tolerably
we'll developed on his handsome head
and these undesirable bumps just Il,
this time rather ruled over the other
bumps; the consequence of which was
that he determined that he would say
no more till Maggie made "A move and
gave him the flowers, or told him she
would while she-poor little dear
would gladly have gratitied him had
she known at all what he wanted but
she was far too timid 10 ask him Then
Tom got possession Of her and a silly
little tirt got hold Of Fred-a girl he
didn't care fig for and the two Fred
and Maggie) were about as miserable
as anv other two would have been un-
der like circumstances.
AT the close of the evening Maggie
stood near window with 4 young
friend, delicate girl, w. looked with
admiring eyes on the bouquet Maggie
held in her listless hand. and exclaim-
ed:
"Oh, what lovely moss-roses y
"Would you like them dear" said
r.aggie. Take them home with you
Poor child she was sick Of the flow
ers and all else. The young girl took
them with delight; anil her brother
who was standing by, tall Ned Stone,
said, iii put them in the buggy for
you while you get ready, Mary" So
Mary handed them over, and Ned bore
them away, for lie was jewel of a
brother, and his delicate sister was the
apple Oh ms eye.
Now Doctor Blythe was out on the
piazza cooling himself after rather
vigorous Virginia reel. In the clear
moonlight he saw Ned deposit the
flowers in basket in the back Of the
buggy, after which he returned to the
house. Here was an opportunity fol
the Doctor to indulge his fondness fol
practical jokes SO he quickly made up
bouquet of grass and clever heads,
which he popped into the basket il
place Of Maggie's flowers, depositing
those in his sulky, which he had with
him on account Of having patient tc
visit after the party. Great was The
wonderment Of Mary and Ned when
on reaching home, the substitute wa,
examined.
AG>-~;o end EeoA u~v<AI -;th<s,