Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-10-02
seItfteD sstorn.
Hetty's Doughnuts.

The long rays OF the afternoon sun
slipped in at Mrs. Baxter's open door,
danced gaily over the spotless floor of
the ample kitchen, darted in and out
for moment or two among the highly
polished tins which stood in orderly
rows on the dresser, and then suddenly
plunged into Hetty's heavy braids, and
nestled there, as if they had at last
found what they were seeking, and had
no wish to wander more. They could
not well have found fairer resting
place than those same rich braids. red
in the shadow and gold in the sun, un-
less they had chosen the long dark
lashes, or the roguish dimple, or the
soft pink cheeks, or the rosy lips. But
no, the lips would have constituted
but an uneasy resting place. for they
were in tolerably constant motion.
Not that any one who heard Hetty
Morris speak would have wished her 10
be Silent: still. silent she seldom was
at least in her waking hnnrs
At the moment when the sunbeans
first pointed her out TO us, As she stood
at the great table rolling out dough,
her sleeves fastened up, and her round
white arms hcrc and there dabbed with
-four scarcely winter, she was softly
talking TO herself.
Dear me | shall never get these
miserable doughnuts done by tea-time,"
she was saying, As she cut OIL strip Of
dough and gave it an airy twist; land
that horrid fat gets hotter and hotter
every minute. The last two-kettlefuIs
are utterly ruined
"If that is utter ruin" remarked
masculine voice, Il am willing TO take
it off your hands. Pass me the pan,
Miss Hettv." And the vines trailing
over the cast window were gently
moved aside, and dark curly head,
adorned with two or three shavings,
proceeded 10 insert itself into the open
window, as if portrait had suddenly
pushed its way into its frame.
Hetty tossed her head. "No, l thank
you, Mr.. Kennedy" said she, with
another twist of the light dough.
"Cncle Baxter knows to a doughnut
how many there should be in batch;
and if there were one missing | should
suffer for it"
''Oh, nonsense ~ said her compan-
ion. 'He is not so bad as that. Tell
the truth, Hetty, and it is you who
grudge me the poor satisfaction of a
solitary cake. Never mind. There's
good time coming soon, when they
will be everyday affairs with me-"
"What do you mean?' asked Hetty,
pausing with her fork in her hand.
"What should mean, except that l
am thinking of getting married?" re-
turned the young man in the window,
brushing off shaving as he spoke.
"O-I hadn't heard" observed his
companion, returning with supreme
Indifference to her roling-pin.
Haven't you! l am surprised at
that" was the reply, "for it has been
all over town for the last fortnight
Il wish you were not 50 fond of
those silly jokes, Frank" said Hetty,
decidedly.
II will agree to abandon the habit
from this time forth for evermore," he
replied looking very handsome and
penitent; "that is, if YOU will give me
certain slight token that | am for
given"
Hetty drew nearer to the window.
What shall il be-" she asked, with
deepening blush and very encour-
aging smile.
sIf you love me, my dear, bestow
upon Inc that crusty doughnut which
adorns the top of yonder pile" he
responded, theatrically. striking an
attitude as he spoke.
Hetty's heels clicked expressively
as she walked 10 the pantry door, her
head high in air.
Help YOURSELF" she said, 'bri efy.
Thanks !" responded Frank. reach
ing long arm in at the window and
over to the big table. .'lt is more
convenient than l thought. l could
easily carry away the whole painful"