Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-03

W say blohc tlc pause tnat tuSueu DN
making desperate attack on the fire,
turning over the log with much exer-
ton, and letting it fall with crash
that covered her white apron with
sparks and cinders, whcreupon she
uttered 4 provoked ejaculation:
! Dear me ~
The minister smiled. but noting the
pouting lips and soilcd hands, grew
| graver.
"Why didn't YOU let me lit the log !:
1t is too heavy for you
Ion. its of no consequence. These
open fires are so hothcIsome :" And
Jeanette shook her apron wrathfully
But very pretty said Mr.. Stewart,
looking not at the fire, but at Jean
nettc flushed face. Don't you think
Z" he added, after moment. Upon
which Jeanette, quite conscious Of
the glance and its meaning, said, in
noccntly, that "shc didn't know, She
WAS sure = and thus conversation
commenced.
The lights and shadows played softly
over the old-fashioned furniture and
pictures, and were reflected redly from
the lunches of dried globes in the ab-
tlque vases on the mantle. The minis
ter, at the end of the lounge, was very
near Jeanette, and she, leaning back
IN the low rocklng-chair, nervously
plated the frill of her apron.
sait conversation commenced, but
it was interpcrsed with pauses. Pause
number six was broken by the minis
ter:
Are YOU tond Of skating, Miss
Jeanncttc:"
Yes indeed. very, but | haven't
skated yet, for Ben has just had my
skates mendcd.
And | sent home for mine last
week. There is 10 be skating party
at Forest Pond tomorrow night. MAY
| have the pleasure OF escorting YOU"
Jeanncttc, looking down 10 hide the
sparkle in her eyes. assented.
suppose you think 1t strange for a
minister 10 skate :" WAS the next re-
mark.
"N-no. Skating isn't like letting
and horse-racing.
Not precisely, was the amused re-
spon,e. Il may be wrong, but can
not help thinking that minister has
As much right to indulge IN innocent
amusement, as any one who hears him
preach.
Jeanette finding reply necessary,
said, cmphatlcally. Yes, of course
ministers want to have ,ooi time
Why shouldn't they: She was sure
she didn't think it was wrong
Il am very glad you don't, said her
companion, bending little nearer. II
should not like 10 do anything YOU
dlsapprove."
His wicked listener guessed he was
the only one who thought much Of her
opinion: He knew hundred times
II, much rs she did 80
"Ah, | wish knew a, much as vou
give me credit for. But Miss Jean
nctte, if | were the wIscst man in the
world should care just As much to
have yoU think well OF me.
Jeanette turned scarlet, sure that
the catastrophe was approaching.
do YOU know, said the minister,
leaning forward TO try 10 get glimpse
OF the rosy. aycrted face -"do you
know tchy should care
At this critical juncturc came
sudden and unexpected" knock at the
door, which brought Jcannctte To her
feet and her companions speech to a
close. luwardly thankful that the
curtains We're down, the first, with her
checks dyed deeper still, hastcned TO
open II, while the minister sat very
erect in the middle of the lounge. One
Of the pillars of the church entered in
the person of Deacon Chambers. who
advanced, stamping the snow from his
feet and beaning goodwill over his
red comforter. The deacon said after
ward that the minister was a little
stlt that night. He had come upon
urgent parish business, and so the
minister went away with him, under
protest, leaving Jeanette in whirl of
lueaS naru 10 cnulnerate.
AT precisely half past eight the fol,
lowing morning Jeannctte stood at the
door OF the village post-oilice reading
note, which ran thus:
my DEAR Miss JEANNErTE,-I had no oI-
pOriunlty Of speaking - you yesterday, al
though hoped for the pleasure of attending
you home. There j. 10 DE a famou. skate up
al Ppul fn-uivhf Will .,tlaN, tn,
10 escort you there: hope You will 20. The
! skating l. magnificent, and | have something
especial 10 say 10 YOU. DoN'T STAY Al HOME.
'iours, in all consideration,
J.PALMER."
Jeannette slipped the note into her
pocket with laugh. What was
to be done: Why, 90 with Mr.. Stew
ard, OF course, and write u note to
in the high glee caused by the imme-
diate prospect Of two "otiers," she
wrote the following letter to John
/ Palmer:
"Ar. PALMER. have Just received your note
and am sorry 10 say have just engaged to 20
With Mr. stewart ! was very much vexed
yesterday that had TO 90 home with him in
stead Of waiting for YOU. shall go tonight
and will tell You all about it. In haste.
JEANNET TIE Ross.'
Amy one who had seen Jeanette
that night when Mr.. Stewart was put
ting on her skates would have said tina,
the costume she hastily improvised
was success. AS for the minister
he had been q '.lion" before, but he
used his skates with a dexterity tina,
amazed the professionals. While he
was beset by an admiring crowd, Jean.
nette suddenly found John Palmer a,
her side
Il didn't know that should have
the chance to speak to you tonight
was his gloomy remark. "What does
that minister want here? Can't yor
skate off with me- l have been wait
ing an hour"
mot just yet. haven't been here
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