Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-10-16


of conversation he broke in with
question on his cousin Margaret's long
tete-d-tete with Ralph Leicester.
"Who do you think saw to-day,
Meg: Your old friend, Cecil Collins !;
he made most particular inquiries after
you"
"Do3ou know Collins 2 said Ralph.
looking up.
For a moment Margaret hesitated,
and her companions quick eye detect
cd the strange expression which illttcu
across her countenanCe but she recov-
cred her selt-possesslon almost lmme-
diately as She answered:
I'VE were near neighbors and great
friends rs children, but have no, seen
him now for several years"
An. said Charlie. "you would
scarcely know him again he is hand
some still. but a mere wreck Ji his
former self. He's not forgotten how
to shoot, though by George, his scores
are something wonderful. I'm begin
niug TO trcmhlc already, Leicester, for
I've backed you for the Queens Prize
against ali the ladies | know; Fro
ments whole stock couldn't clear me
if YOU lost
Take my advice and hedge at once,
then" answered Ralph, laughing then
lowering his voice he added;
Miss Dene, will You wish me sue
cess"
with all my heart, Mr.. Leicester"
Il think shall succeed, then," he
said. in his odd, cool way. "Do you
know can understand now how those
old knights used TO perform such prod
lges Of va.or, inspired by their fair Ia
dy's scarf As n tallsman. Nay | be
equally iavored:' and he laid mean
ing hand on the rose at her side.
Il fear the days of chivalry are
over" answered Margaret; but as she
did not attempt to repossess herself of
tn" flower, | think she was luite will
ing he should prove its ta.ismanic
powers.
Not at all, fair lady and when |
bring the trophy of victory to lay at
your feet, shall expect the reward of
my prowess.
Margaret looked up, not quite know
ing how To take this speech; but. If
she read any serious meaning in his
eyes, the light laugh and low bow
which accompanied the words seemed
meant 10 pass them oil Is Il jest.
Leicester" broke in Charlie again,
did YOU say you knew Cecil Collins Z"
I'VE were at Oxford togethe. for
short time answered Ralph; "hc
came up there about six month, before
l lcft-in time 10 do u.c a service
hope | shall never forget. lie saved
my lie. he added. in answer 10 Mar
garcts quick look OF inquiry. Il wa,
attacked by 4 mad dog oac day, a huge
creature. when had nothing but Il
slight cane Ia my hand and II would
have beeI all up with me, then and
there, had not Collins, 4 mere youth
freshly arrived at college, been pass
Ing AT that moment. He rushed for
ward just As the brutc's teeth were
about 10 grab my arm, aud scizing its
collar dragged it of, holding il back
10y main force till somebody from be-
hind came up and gave il the coup de
grace. He is brave fellow, whatever
are his faults. and has made me ms
del btor TO no small amount
Poor Cecil! - sighed Margaret 10
herself; but Ralph caught the words,
and pang Of jeaiously came over him
as he thought that thereby hung Il tale
Perhaps il was As well lie could not
see the vision which rose before hI,
companions eyes just then the vision
Of quaint old parsonage garden,
with Il boy and glrl standing there
among the roses and saying sood-by-
To more, ali, how much more, than they
themselves knew he to 90 forth into
the world, and fall from his high re-
solves and noble ambitions into the
downward path, too fearfully easy 10
travel along and she to remain in her
quiet home and dream of an impossible
future. None knew what to her had
been the awakening from those dreams
when the first faint rumor, which She
strove TO disbelieye, reached her and
then when later she knew beyond Il
doubt that the idol she worshipped WAS
of clay, all unfit for the shrine she had
found it.
Hers was a seli-contained nature
the wound had bled sorely, but no one
guessed its presence only, her family
were wont to remark, GLOW quiet Mar
g'iret has become ~ 1t was now com
a. h., I..
not realized till these last few days.
though the scar WAS stlll left, and would
not bear handling too roughly.
Perhaps all this will account for the
fact of Margaret Dene being yet un'
married at the advanced age UG five
and-twentv fact which her friends
were never tired of wondering at.
Before many minutes my herolne's
thoughts were recalled to the present
10y the general breaking up of the par
ty. and somehow the az rec0ir wills
pered in her ear by earnest tones made
her quite forget to revert again To suc'l
sad retrospections.
"Who's won!" shouted a chorus of
voices as, two days later, Charile satln-
! tered INTO his mothers drawing room.
Please. Charlie, do tell US quickly
who wonS
:.Who won what. Do be a little quiz
ct, girls it's far too hot to exert one
sci. this weather. How dive do, Mar
garet: 1 never saw you anything but
cool in all my life; wish l could say
ditto for nyself;' and, catching up
fan, the Young man threw himself into
an easy chair with great affectation
of feeling overcome.
Come, Charlie, don't be such
tease! Who got the Queens Prize!
We are all dying to know"
Much good may the knowing do
you them" said Charlie, ''Cecil Collins
has got it,"
Cecil Collinsr" and Margaret's
voice this time joined the others.
..Whv, you said Mr.. Leicester was
sure OF it.
IL never said anything Of the kind;