The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-06-19
The Ghost Of WilIoWdale.
BY A. NJ. DANA.

| NV N"~SN -
! BY A. NJ. DANA.
Lizzie Edwards and Kat, Armitage
were fast friends, linked together by q
common orphanage, and = womanlv
struggle for daily bread. All through
the first bright years of their youth they
had toiled side by side-one as teacher,
the other as a copyist-sharing the one
meagre oom. which they called home,
and which they managed to transform
into something not unworthy of the name.
Together, they enjoyed every chance good
which came in the way and, when the
death of half forgotten relative placed
Lizzie in possession of small property,
away down on 1.-The Eastern Shore" "
there was no vexing question of ''mine
and thine" to mar their rejoicing. Those
who had been partners in poverty could
| hardly be less in prosperity.
1t was but trifing legacy after all,
for the estate, originally noble one, had
dwindled down to few poor acres; but
it held an old homestead, and the girls
thought it would 90 hard, but it should
| furnish them with, at least, a snug resting
place for year or two.
s'We will only have to come back, and
90 to work again, if we find that the pro-
duce won't support u.s." said Kate, in one
of their many talks. ''And, meanwhile
we will have had time to breathe"
This was their sweetest thought. They
had no idt a that they We're so tired till
there was a prospect Of rest; but now
they embraced it with all the Joy and
| abandon of unsatiated youth.
| A fierce Autumn storm was raging on
the morning they left the city; but no
merry tourists, starting forth under un-
clouded sunshine, ever carried lighter
hearts or chatted more gayly upo their
| journey.
A single friend appeared at the depot
to wish them God speed. This was Mr..
Carroll, knight of the later, nobler
chivalry which reveals itself in aiding
women to help themselves. Otherwise, a
! bachelor of forty-five-a substantial tea
merchant, a school director, warm sup
porter of social refrom, and man of
weight and influence generally.
And yet the girls laughed at him. Why,
it would have been hard to tell. But
even as he held hand of each. lament
ing the necessity of parting, their eyes
| sparkled with merriment; and when,
after feint of departing, he returned to
| lay a huge package of cream chocolates
in Lizzie's lap, their suppressed fun
threatened to burst all bounds OF lady
like decorum. Luckily anxiety us to his
safe exit from the already starting train
cut short their unseemingly laughter.
As the cars whzzed along through
sheets of binding rain, which shut out all
view of the landscape, save an occasional
corn field, where the rlpened tassels
tossed wildly like funeral plumes of the
dead Summer, their conversation naturally
turned upon this gentleman-the last link
with their old life
"Kate, why is Mr.. Carroll like crea n
chocolate ?" asked Lizzie, pausing with a
! dark brown mound of sweetness half way
to her lips.
because he's soft ?"
"Oh, preposterous !" was Lizzie's in
| alignant exclamation. "Why, Kate, Pm
ashamed Of you. You know he isn't; he's
only demonstratiye, and that is a good
fault in this hard, cold world Besides if
he were what you msnuate, l have too
| much of the Arab in my nature, to eat a
mans salt and then revile him. And Pm
sure these are q good deal better than
SALT" passing the bag to Kate, who with
a laugh, helped herself literally. ''No,
our kind friend is like one of these comfits,
| because he is better within than without.
That is, he has a good heart. Now,
never say that | cannot make conun-
drum.
''Oh, that is is ii I" answered wicked
Kate, with mock gravity. "Pray accept
my most humble apologies for the mis-
take, But, since you so highly appreciate
the gertleman's inward virtues, my ask
how it is that you do not overlook his
outward appearance, and honor Yourself
by becoming Mrs. Carroll? I'm sure you
might have the opportunity any day ?"
"Ah, my dear, that's transposition of
the scale--elegant for horse of another
color. have not Struggled through all
committees, to lay my first taste of in
dependence at the feet of any man. 1t is
only the pampered bird who voluntarily
returns to its cage, and my life has not
had much pampering. No, thank you.
We will have our fling at freedom for a
while, though it be freedom to live on
bacon and corn cakes"
'Bravo!" cried Kate, and Immediately
the conversation turned to the future, and
the unknown home they were nearing.
1hOhiWullC, lllC SuOlLl was luCItdSllS
in violence. More and more wildly beat
the rain against the windows, fiercer and
fiercer ragged the wind, and the garments
OF passengers, entering at wayside stations.
were dripping with moisture. But more
outward discomfortthan this was neededto
damp the feelings of our young travellers.
Once in while group of fresh checked
schoolgirls came in for few miles, rain
drops glittering upon their dishevelen
hair, fun sparkling in their eyes, and a
perfect chorus of merry clatter issuing
from their lips. But the two demure
figures wrapped in waterproof, seat OF
two behind, felt no envy of their buoyant
youth. They, too, had been to school
at the worlds hard academy, and it was
with spirits in true holiday tune, that they
drew near the end of their journey.
81 trust you will find everything COM
Portable" said the polite agent OF the
property, as he placed them in carriage,
in front of his Office. in the little town
nearest their destination. 81 have taken
the liberty of engaging an old servant for
you indeed" with smile. 81 could
not well do otherwise, for aunt Debby
seems to regard herself as a fixture on
the estate. She holds strongly to the
tenet that possession is nine points of the
law and, even in these days of recon-
struction, refuses to show her freedom by
seeking another home. However, dare
say you will be able to manage her nice
ly."
A servant already engaged, and an at
tackled family servant at that Both girls
agreed that it was grand. Despite their
nigh spirits, they were cold and hungry,
and vision of a rousing fire awaiting
them, with a supper Of delicate bay
oysters, land crispy brown waf1es, or
genuine Maryland biscuit and tender
chicken, was far from being objection
able.