Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-07-27

figure, and heard her musical laugh
and he found himself grinding his teet!
AZ the mere presence of II gentleman
In her company. The latter, however
LEFT tue ladies Immediately who Joined
Jack and his friend on the piazza.
1t was brilliant moonlight night
and the silvery light made the lax,
seem lOvelier than ever some mad i'm.
pulse induced Jack, who had already
taken possession Of Maggie, to propose
a row on the water; and as there were
no objections made. Mrs. Campbell
retiring into the house, after charging
them TO be careful, they started for the
boats. The girls were in high ylee.
and, when Jack proposed that they
should go in separate boats and have
race, they willingly consented; so
Jack took Maggie in one boat, while
Tom and her sister entered another,
and they pulled from shore to stake
which was a racing-point. and then the
two young men bent to their oars with
will. They were about evenly
matched, though Tom, being the taller,
had the longer reach
The usual racing was mile.
marked by buoy floating on the
water, and both struggled hard for the
victory. Usually. in such contests.
Jack had come oil conqueror but this
night he gradually fell behind, and
when about two-thlris of the distance
had been passed, the other boat then
leading MIN about three lengths. he
stopped pulling, unshippcd his oars,
| and, folding his arms. sat in silence,
while Toms ironical cheer sounded IN
the distance.
Maggie Campbell sat in the stern of
the boat, rather surprised at Jacks
unusual .hdsco and, as he did not speak
sad, IN her low. musical voice:
wv hat i, the matter, Nj. Savage:
Are you not wcll:'
Jack did not move for moment
Then he arose. stepped into the stern of
the boat, and seated himself beside
her.
lney haI driited in-shorc-thc other
boat was ont of sight-and. as JACK
came So near her, Maggie felt a cnrlou,
sensation IN her len slic and sort Of
swelling in her throat, while she won
dered why Jack acted 20 strangely, and
what he Was going To 10 next. lie did
not leave ner long III doubt as u that.
for passing his arms around her waist
"a liberty he had never before vcutur-
ell To takc-he said, very quietly, but
very passIonately
'MaSgie, We are going to part pretty
soon, and may not have another OPP
portumty 10 tell YOU what Is IN nay
heart tonight, ami has been there
these many happy hours that wc have
passed together. | want 10 tell YOU
that l love you Maggie, better than
any one have ever seen, aud to ask
you II | may not hope that | have
gained a little Of Your love, too. am
sure | need you-oh, ever so much
AMI | shall want YOU 10 be my wlfc, if
you will-not now, if you don't like.
but whenever you can feel willing to
come to me. and let the take you all 10
myself, 10 make-tfod permitting
happy home for both OF as
Maggles face had been bowins lower
and lower, and now il was entirely
concealed in her hands. when Jack
ceased speaking, he found she was
sobbing, while the little hand which he
clasped in his, and tried To draw away
that he might look into her face ami
read his destiny, was molstcned with
her tears.
For moment lie spoke not then lie
said
Maggie, dear. have | offended YOU
Don't cry Aud, if | have, promise
never 70 speak Of this again, but TO
shut my hopes and wishes up III my
! own heart and make no sign.
You see Jack was lawyer. and
knew how TO plead his case, and tnis
time he got his verdict.
Dropping her hands. she turned her
| sweet face, wet with tears, toward uiIn,
and said:
Il am not offended, but it was so sud
den'-here she laid her hand softly up
on his-.but if you will have faulty
! and imperfect girl whom YOU have
made TO love you, will be your wife
whenever you wish and mamma con
| sents.'
The next instant Maggie's face was
slowed away somewhere under Jack 5
coat, and then a series OF curious
noises was heard, after which Jack
jumped frantically back 10 his seat,
took his oars, and at once began to
propel his boat with the most incredible
swiftness down the lake, Maggie mean
while arranging her hair and collar,
which had somehow become slightly
deranged, and then sitting quietly with
a soft smile on her face, watching
Jack marvellous strength and dexteri
ty in managing the oars.
Presently they came upon the other
boat. with Tom and Susie sitting very
close together in the stern, and paving
little attention 10 anything but TO each
other. Jack gave q shout, and his
friend jumped back to his oars.
Il say, Tom, said Savage, I'll pull
you back for ten dollars. | was only
playing OF when we came out.
All right sounded from the other
boat, and presently they were along
side.
Then began race that was race.
The two girls clapped their hands, and
cheered on the competitors, and at st
Maggie cried out:
"A scarf Of my favorite color
one who wins ~
After that there was no use be.Dng,
Jack came neatly into the little dock
two boat-lengths ahead, and then they
all ran merrily up to the house.
Jack said Tom, after they had
said goodnight to the girls and reach
ed their room (and. if they didn't kiss
them, the little darkie that was skulk-
ing about the back-stairs lied consum-
edly)-'Jack, I've made an awful idiot
or myself tonight