Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-02-02
Vol XVII. Whole No. S36 No. 8

think SOP
i suppose you've heard the news.
Polly? broke in another whisper from
behind. The news about Phil Raj
ston2'
No. What do You me amp with sud-
den interest
He came up last night, YOU know
and what do YOU think he brought with
him but wife! The old folks didn't
know word about it, Wasn't that u
hne Thanksgiving surpriser
How did YOU hear? asked Polly faint
ly, with white lips.
Steve saw ihem-our Steve YOU know
lie came in the same train and there was
Phll getting out with his wife, and the
old Squire meeting them, and looking
SO surprised; and Phil said he, I've
got new daughter to introduce 10
YOU. Aud then some more in low
voice, which Steve couldn't hear; and
the Squire he most cried, and he shook
hands, and said, You re welcome my
dear That was all Steve saw. for he
had TO come away but Uncle Reuben
was up to the Squires in the evening
about load OF hay, aud Pills wife
came IN. and the Squire introduced her:
NV sons Wife," he said, and he looked
real pleased, Tor all he hadn't been told
beforehand. Gracious. there they are
Look, Polly, JUST coming in."
For moment all swan before Pollv'.
eyes. Then the mist cleared again, and
che saw Squire Ralston's white head
passing up the aisle followed bv his
sister. dear old woman who lived with
hun aud kept his house then Phil, aud
hy III, SHE u lady. With unnatural fire
IN her blue eyes she scanned the stran-
ger, noting the clear olive cheek, the
Yraccisl, unduiating walk, the gait
which, even Ia her inexperienced vision
seemed something rich and foreign.
Thai. then. was Pnil's vile, the woman
he preferred TO all Others. And with
sudden power OF hatred. Polly foIt that
she lla ed her. All the sweet, even pull
ses OF her nature, seemed to be turn:d
into bitterness and lire.
She looks old for Phil, doesn't she -
whispered the other girl.
She did, bur how beautiful, And
still. as the service went on, what n
mockcry it all sccmcd-thc PRAYER in
which she did not join, the sermon
which spoke oi people rs thankful And
happ, Nne rose with the Others, she
bent licr head aud all til. time some
thln. JLnglcd IN herears the one phrase,
"PnII Is married! Pull j. married. ill
II sccn.cd ~ II she could not bear il.
Long alierwIrt, when she was happy
AZ 'ln, that wretched morning would
come BAGS 10 her As visions OF lever to
returning health; little Things she was
ol noticing-a late canker-
worm walkin. up Mary Jane Oaks
The scrap OF newspaper
lctt on Deacon Buukcrs face from his
morning shay in., and on which could
% plainly read, "LO [ or Stravcd,"
With the after clew oil "hcifer" Just be-
lpw. Sac remembered the exact posi-
tiua III which Phil stood as he held the
hyinn-book open for his-wifc, Once
lac halt turned and glanced at the gal
dreSw sdftSw gt tns w Isfete t eRpshI at aaRd psilx
no more.
You're pale to-day, whispered the
friendly gossip IN the rear, OF else YOUR
hat isn't becoming.
This reused her pride. Bad as il was
to be miserable, il was worse to be pit
led. She bit her lips till they were red,
aud tiakng advantage of the last
PRAYER. am sorry TO say) inflicted upon
her cheek, II series oi furtive pinchcs,
which restored their bloom. Coming
do @n stairs with the rest, she saw, she
was sure, Phil lingering as II to speak.
Cruel, Insulting, she would not see.
Leaning ON James, arm, chatting.
laughing, all bloom and animation she
brushed past. Polly. he halt exclaimed;
then paused. Backs are sometime. n-
expressive as faces. PoIlvs said, a dis
timctIy IA back could, don. speak to
me Phil looked after them a IN ,mcnt:
then, ,upprcssn9 a low whistle, he
plugged IN, hands into his pockets, and
took the opposite direction. But soon
recnting, he was sorry to have done so.
sac didn't see me, he said SO himself:
that was ii. Well, II. go over this eve
Mug ut all events, and fluid out what i;
means.
Oa, what miserable day it was. All
the little things, carefully prepared Tor
pleasures, were as 50 many goad. and
sings TO poor Polly. The turkey chok-
ed, the children's m-rriment stunned
her. And there we all the relation. t.
Aunt Enra aud Uncle jacob, Cousin
Jane with her family. aud the new baby
But Tor all her heart-ache the little nraid
was true to herself. Only Mrs. PursaIl
with mothers instinct OWNED that
something WAS the matter. To the rest
Polly was her usual sell, prettcr than
usual, ii anything, and gayer with that
deep flush OH her cheeks, aud the sapcv
tongue, which, barbed with inward mis-
cry had "a smart answer ready for all
and each.
Al last the long dinner ended, amidst
praises loud and high. The fire was rc-
plcni>hed, the candies lit, eveniug-and
general rounp set in. Amidst the bu,.
tlr Polly could slip away for a moment
unperceived. She has found u thin2
to ITO, rs Mr.. Browning says.
Climbing a chair in the dark pantry,
she ie4t about. Yes, there it was Just
had she meant 10 come suu lit il
down Tor Phil With tigh.-set lips she
carried the di-h through The hall TO the
BACK door, where Jowler, faithful
beast ot uondcscript breed, was wont to
he on II convenient door mat.
Jowler, Jowier-poor fellow, she said.
"hcre'- something Tor YOU" and she
held ont TO him Pill. pie.
Never WAS dog awaked by dantier
mor,el. Il wa~ moi very heroic ven
geance that. but somehow il suited Pol
ly's feelings, AMI there was certain
iricic quality III her manner as she stood
looking on at the demolishment which
would have struck an uninterestcd
spectator AS ininiielt coni.. As The
last crumb vanished, however-the last
twiri of the pa different mood assert
ed itself. She put her head in childish
fashion against the door. and, with the
empty pic-plate in her hand, began to
cry-a silent, miserable crying, with
little dull moan runniu. through it like
q childs.
1t WAS just then that somebody pass
ing up the walk came upon hcr-solne-
body " no in his haste had come cross
cornei s and leaped the garden fence in
his way. y tall, brown haired fellow,
with merry kind eyes, in which won
darmeIt ShOue as he took in this aston.