Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-07-10

old-fashioned courtesy, before seating
himself with the old couple in their
pew below.
1t has been noticed, too, of late,
that Says cheerful face has grown
strangely thoughtful,-not sad, ex-
actly, but undecided and doubtful, as
if her heart and brain were refusing to
agree upon some point Of more than
usual interest to their owner.
1t was a pleasant sunshiny Sabbath,
the first in April. and as Say Strong
took her seat in the choir, she noticed
that the singers already present were
clustered together, peering curiously
at somebody or something in the body
of the ch,-what, she had no time
to ask or see, for at the moment of her
entrance the leader gave the signal
and every one dropped into his or her
seat with the habitual promptness that
a system Of careful training had made
easy and natural.
AS they rose to sing the opening
hymn, Says eyes wandered, for an in
slant, to the dear old faces that always
looked up at her with that little touch
OF prideful tenderness that she alone
saw and felt, and that warmed her
heart and mellowed her voice as by
some magic power. But to-day, a
quick rush of emotion choked down
the half-uttered notes, and her head
grew giddy with whirl Of surprise,
JOY, paln,-for there, in the very seat
next their own, was a tall, well-knit
figure, only too familiar to her strained
gaze, although the boyish red and
white of his complexion had given
place to the sun and beard. darkened
hue Of ripened manhood, and even the
closely curling hair had lost something
of its old-time gold but the clear blue
eyes looked up just as clearly and un-
suspciously into her own as of yore
indeed, she fancied, for moment, that
there was half-smle of tender recog-
nition in them, as, with a mighty ef-
fort, she put aside the throng of be-
wildering memories, and her sweet
voice rose, full and clear, in the first
line Of the old familiar hymn,
Return We wandering snpers home,
The service was over at last, and as
Says foot touched the last stair, she
looked up to meet that same frank
smile and outstretched hand that had
80 often greeted her years ago. while a
voice that was music TO her ear ex-
claimed, eagerly:
"Will you welcome me home, Say"
"liow are ye? How are yc, Ben !?
Glad ter see ye ag!nl' and Deacon
Sparmint crowded himself between the
two, IN the heartlneSS of his greeting,
which was now rc.echocd by old and
young, who crowded joyously about
their old favorite, with a perfect chorus
of subdued welcomes, questions, and
comments, while Say, quietly accept
ing Mr.. Vests offered escort, walked
silently away, h0r heart full to over
flowing with its bitter-sweet memories
-trites, perhaps, in their day, but now
to her tine-awakened vision, things of
what initiate Importance to her future
peace.
The next morning, Mr.. West took a
dignitied leave of his host and family,
with the air of one who has no inten-
ton of returning at present, and Say,
with lightened brow, but with little
air Of nervous expectation, that she
tried her best 10 hide, busted herself
with her usual tasks, that, as the day
waned, seemed gradually to lose their
interest for her, aud, as the twilight be-
gan to fall, she remarked, in wea-
ried tone:
IL believe I'll 90 down to the sugar
orchard, and carry father his supper:
perhaps the walk in the open air will
help my headache. And following up
her own suggestion, she was soon pick
ing her way along the old familiar path
that, five years ago, she had threaded
upon the same errand, with step as
firm, an eye as clear, and heart (she
smiled sadly, wonderinglv to herself
as she recalled that time) not yet wise
enough to know itself.
The lunch was gratefully received
and enjoyed, and Say stool watc4in
with dreamy, half-absent eve, the
form of ner father, as he passed brisk
ly from fire to fire, stirring, testing,
and discoursing with pleasant volubil-
ity upon the quality, quantity, ETC., of
this years sugar crop.
Its the best, take it all together,
that we've had for five years. You re-
member, Say, that year that Ben
Worth went"
His voice died away in the distance,
rs he hurried Oft to replenIsh a decay
ing fire; and Say stood Hooking thought
fully down upon the blazing brands,
while her slender fingers played nervous
ly with twig of soft, silky catkins that
she had plucked on her way through
the woods, and there was an uncon-
scious pathos in her tones as she softly
repeated her fathers words:
''Five years of patient waiting, of un-
complaining silence, Of"
"Sugaring off,"
1t was Ben Worth's voice that spoke
the werds, and Ben Worth's hand that
clasped her own, as he whispered, with
tender, yet half-roguish significance
"Will you accept the sugar as it Is
now, Say? 1t may not be OF the first
quality, to be sure; but If you will on.
ly try it, will promise that it will do
its best toward swettening away what
ever drops of bitterness fate may min
gle in your cup of liie."
Says face was turned away, but q
loving hand gently drew the dropping
head into the full light OF the shameless
fire, and q pair Of tender, yet masterful
eyes looked searchiDgly into her own.
She tried TO laugh, but the tears would
come instead, and, dropping her head
upon the broad shoulder beside her, she
sObbed out few broken words of low
ing acknowledgment that made her
listeners heart bound with grateful
joy.
"But where did you get that idea of
the 's0garing oftT' she asked, little
later, as they sat, side by side, before
the cheerful fire, and Ben answered,
with slightly embarrassed air: