Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-07-25
The Handsome Humbug.

searching, cutting blast, that made tht
4 tired travellers curl up closer in theiI
wraps and wish with more impatien c,
and discomfort that they were at home
I or somewhere where there were warn
/ fires a1d comfortable couches.
There was n great bundle rolled NJ
IN one seat n big bundle of humanit,
1t was, with shawl of gorgeous colors
tucked all about 1t warm furs bundled
up 10 the very throat. and a bright.
gay-colored scarf wound all sround the
shapely head and face
And besides all this. there was a
portly portmanteau on the opposite
seat another shawl of white and scar.
let, and full of papers and magazines.
But there was fretful, uncomfortable
look IN the bundle, in spite of all these
luxurious accompaniments; and if
anybody took the trouble TO look at il
they received the impression at once
that it contained deal of WEAKNESS
and nervousness.
There had been many miles left be-
hind, and everybody was getting out
OF spirits and sick at heart, when all
at once at a way station the door was
opened and a little crowd. all fresh
and sparkling, came in with deal of
noise and hustle, and recklessly turned
back seats, and laid back bundles in
the owners laps with a freedom quite
astonishing.
Two OF the party-two dressy,
irowsy-headed girls-camc up TO the
seat occupied by the scarlet shawl, the
portmanteau and the bundle on the
rack above, and turned the seat over
with crash.
here was moment, and the great
wraps fell away, and from beneath the
tiny velvet hat pair of sharp. rather
indignant. black eyes flashed out.
Then the rest of the face made its an
pearance and showed round. fair
checks. very pale and beautiful. a
scorntul little mouth, and a very saucy.
well modelled chin.
Come, Mr. Aver called the pretti.
est OF the two girls, designating a fine
looking man who was standing little
way down, evidently in search Of a
seat. -
Here's one, right behind Us. Com, 4"
For a moment there was a move.
ment on the part Of the stranger 4,
though she was about 10 spring up and
seize that impertinent girl by tue
chlgnoA, aud dcmolish il: hut then
there WAS evidently second and more
conslderate thought, and she settled
back. saying through her set teeth:
Such bold impuicnce' p
Is this scat engaged ::
IL was Very agreeable Voice, and
containca 50 much deicl v.'~~ '>'''' N--'--'.
hc's that she !uUAcd up with quite
degree Of good nature, and answered
No. Sit down.
He VA, very nice. lie had fine eyes
and rcddish-brown moustache.
scrupulously brushed aud dantily ar
ranged. He wore tall shining hat.
a flight overcoat. and faultless linen.
and one white hand, from which the
KID glove had been removed. was cle-
gantIy jewelled with Il big seal ring
and sparkling diamond.
lie gave one glance into the fair
patucian face. then lifted the wraps,
which she laid aside. and said:
i Will put these out of your WAY.
unless YOU want 10 use them.
Il thank YOU have no further use
for them, she said.
Your books
Il have read them.
50 he put them all up together, and
then- taking paper from his pocket.
laid 1t IN her lap and turned away.
They rode on miles further. Little
villages, lonely farm houses, broad
fields and barren woods flew past. and
the night came on and shrouded all in
darkness.
Just after dark they glidcd into a
depot where there was great deal OF
stir and hustle. and among the many
who FASTENED to take down portman-
teaus and prepare to leave the ears
were the gayl Y dressed girls.
Come, Mr.. Aver said the pretty
one: are You all ready
I've taken notion into Inv head
and viii not stop over tonight. III
90 on home
60 home. Why, Mr.. Aver.
But Mr.. Aver was an oddity and all
the eXpostulations, the pleadings and
prayers of the pretty giils could not
move him; and finally they left him,
and the train sped on.
When everybody had settled back
into their former drowsiness, Mr.. Aver
turned the sharp, fine face of his to-
ward the stranger and said:
Miss Halifax, you are worn with
your long journey
You know me!' The pale face up
lifted, the tired ewes opened with
wild half-frightened look.
You are Clara Halifax, and YOU are
going to your aunt Marston's in Bos-
ton
Yes. How did you know
4 am George Aver, and your uncle
Marston was my uncle.
She looked relieved.
Boston is the worst place on The
map-Aunt Marston is deaf and uncle
MarstOn has the gout.'
is it cold there!'
Colder than Greenland's icy noun
tains; and there are no young people
there, and no one to take you to places
Of amusement. You will die. | am
glad | happened TO meet you.
How did you know me:'
Il saw your picture, and it is not a
face to pe easily forgotten
Who were those young ladies who
entered the car with vou!'
Your own cousins-Nellie and Flov
Marston; and they stopped at II
on their way back from a weeks visit
IN New Haven. They expected you
tomorrow night
why did you not tell them that YOU
guessed my identity, and then intro
duce usy