Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-04-20

watched me moment in silence, turn.
ed as if to go. then suddenly coming
to my side again said, half-constrained
ly:
'Mr. Hinton, perhaps can help YOU
let me see !; and calling for linen, and
water, her soft little hands dressed
mine, quickly and skillfully, while l
explained how it happened. Gradu-
ally VIC became quite sociable, and a
charming hour was spent on the porch
in the moonlight, ere the return of the
equestrians. went to bed that night
confessing that at last was in love,
and with Kate Hadley. The next
morning l chanced to meet her alone
in the library, and ere long had-im-
pulsively as those in love sometimes do
asked her to marry me. might have
known better, but certainly was not
prepared for the look she gave me, ac-
companied by the scornful words, Mr..
Hinton, you are very insulting, or be-
side yourself. Your memory is very
short. How long ago was il you ex-
pressed surprise that your sister tol-
Grated person you very graphically
described as guilty of working bare
foot, and wearing blue stockings?
When you next discuss absent people,
be sure none of them happen to be
within hearing, and she LEFT me alb
ruptiy. Well if that was not the
greatest damper my pride andself-love
ever received sat still little while,
trying TO realize my aituation. Ere
] rose | vowed that If we both lived.
she should become my wife. She
should love me yet. / made up nv
mind TO face the matter boldly | would
not leave Maplehurst, giving her a
chance To think me grief stricken after
my rejection. SO we both stayed under
the same roof, seemingly the same as
ever. AT last the bright summer had
nearly waned. was going back to
town TO morrow Some had already
LEFT the others were going Immediately.
Nettie had persuaded Kate to remain
at least week after we had lef. her.
Tha: last warm, hazv afternoon, |
strolled out 10 one of the arbors. IL
was delightfully."- cool and pleasant
there. aud As | threw myself down on
one OF the low benches, | espicd book
down behind garden chair. the very
book heard Kate Hadley enqulriny
so anxlously for, a few days before. |
quickly took possession Of il, and
opened it the first thing, Of course.
Now, reader, ! would not tell YOU this,
but 1t Is too good TO keep. The first
page | happened to open at was a ftc
simle Of myself, as | must have ap-
prarcd after my plunge in the muddy
brook, the day first met her. could
not but recognize it instantly. Turning
leaf after leaf, upon which were dis
played real talent. even in the slightest
sketches, | found at last. between the
leaves, II half-writtcn letter. Now. as
| have begun Ill tell you the whole
truth, as you will probably never know
who am.- A poor excuse Ed. II,
without the least hesitation, opened
that letter, and read as follows:
SEPTEMBER 10th, IS.
Ny DEAREST EMMA:-I an sincerely
glad YOU trusted me SO FULLY as To CON
iide To my Keeping your secret: rest
assured it will remain inviolatc. You
say, Happy am that have heart all
INV own, AS know nothing of the pang.
Won suffer. Nv darling | will tell Won
what nc other will ever know. am as
utterly wretched as a proud heart can
make its unhappy psssessor. devoted
" love one of whom any woman might
be proud and U know this will seem
sprange To ou). n month ago he asked
me To be his wife, and scornfullv re-
fused. because INV pride had caused "A
mole-hill 10 become a mountain. He is
not man that will sue the second time.
and have deliberately raised a barrier
between us that will never be overcome.
| could not tell you this were il not we
have ALWAYS shared each others troub-
les, aud | need your sympathy. Nv
future now has
Here the letter remained unfinished.
How nv heart beat with triumph?
No, with live: for loved her now more
than ever. Now understood whv she
had nearly moved the house from its
founadtion for that book. I quietly
proceeded to the house with it. and hear
ing the piano, looked i'll the parlor and
discovered her practicing alone
stole quietly up behind her, and placed
the book-Open at the ridiculous picture
of myself-bcfore her without a word.
How she started. And how pale she
turned as the letter slipped out upon
the KEY board! shall never forget her
look as she said in stifled voice.
Where did you find t:
In the arbor, under the garden chair.
A silence followed, during which I
could fsirlv hear her heart throbbinn
under its weight of modification. Al
last. for l pitied her as she sat there
with dOwncast head and scarlet face
covered with confusion, SO in contrast
with the cool proud girl had known AZ
Kate Hadley, said.
"kate. have done dishonorablc act.
unbecoming gentleman. | have seen
your book, and read your letter; but
do not regret it, for il has made me very
happy. Oh. darling! do not wrong vour
own heart and mine again; for | love
YOU as = man never loves but once.
Surely you will not destroy the lifelong
happiness Of us both on account OF the
thouxhtleSs, careless words | spoke ere
had seen you" And for ans wer re-
ceived--
Well, no matter. reader, but it was a
different answer from the first, and per- l
tectly satisfactory. l did not leavefI
Maplehurst the next day. We were
married at Christmas.