Ellsworth American., 1874-06-18

selves to ourselves after this aud II at nov
time we absolutely need an escort. we
will have no one but the professor-fo
he's scientific and safe!"
The girls laughingly agreed, and as the
next Few days passed decorously by, for.
got my uneasiness. We settled down into
sort Of routine, and had real good
time, doing all our bathing and strolling
in the mornings, and In the afternoons
taking maps. reading, or walking, a. we
liked.
Meanwhile Lofty was behaving beauti-
fully about Bob Ainsleish. He invited her
70 sail again and again, bu: she steadily
declined. He came to the cottage to call
on her three or four times bu: finding us
all together iu the sitting room, with the
professor-who chanced each time to be
present-disceursing on science and other
lofy things, he became III at ease; and as
Lofty would not 90 out In the porch with
him he LEFT very soon, evidently in a hun.
Ella Floyd fell into habit Of lingering
with the Myrics after supper, and return
ing TO the cottage later than the rest OF us,
sometimes even after dark, but as she was
always In whenI came down stairs from
getting my dimpled darling to bed, did
not pay much attention to this fact. till
one evening Rosie went to sleep sooner
than usual, and got down just as Ella
was saying goodnight to a gentleman at
the door. She said 1t was Mr.. Myrick.
and that he always came home with her if
It was late. told her then she must new
er be late again. 1t was all very well to
go and sit an hour or SO with Mrs. Myrick.
who was plain, lady-like person. but her
husband was decidedly nashy locking and
fast, not at all to my taste.
The next night there was to be hop in
the hotel parlors, the first entertainment
ofthe sort since we had been on the Is
land, and of course the girls wanted to go.
hut how was it to be manageds for of
course could not let them go by them
selves, neither could leave my sleeping
baby. But at last 1t was settled by Flos-
sy, with her usual sweetness, Offering to
give up going and TO sit with Rose while I
matronized the others. | agreed to this
the more readily because her mothers
caution still now and then rang in nv
ears, and who could tell what a hotel
dance might lead tor So went up with
Lofty and Ella; they were each others
partners, and danced very prettily to-
gether. Bob Ainsleigh stood with lower
ing brow In the corner; I had made Lot
ty promise not to dance with him.
watched the graceful motions for while,
and then, feeling little home-sick for
Rosie, | went TO window and looked
down the darkness to where single light
sho1e star like from the cottage chamber.
Here the professor found me, just as
Xasg,," xiRf 'sP "fsrfalhg NOW me- cifse
stood. he at once proposed to escort me
home, II felt anxious abolt baby, and to
bring back Fossy in my place. Iconsen,-
ed to this, il he would promise me to
bring all the girls home in all hou ur, for to
so respectable an escort as our grave pro-
lessor no parent could object.
Arriving at the cottage, put my mantle
took my place by the table where she had
sat. The book she had been reading lay
open at sonnet beginning
The face OF the world is changed think,
Since first heard the footsteps ofihy soul"
closed 1t with a smile. SO this demure
little maiden was beginning to prepare her
heart already for the love which might
come in the future; as some flowers wake
up before the sun rises.
The time slipped rapidly by while was
writing letter to John detailing all our
dolngs, and l was startled, as finished
to find that it was AFTER ten O'Clock.
Where are those girlsT' exclaimed
springing up and going to the door to look
out. There was no moon, but it vas
bright starlight. dimly saw two figures
coming down the path, but as they ap-
preached the cottage one disappeared.
The other came forward, and as | lifted
my lamp saw it was Ella Floyed, look
ing paler than usual and little frighten-
ed.
Ella, who came home with you? de-
manded.
'Mr. Myrick," she replied.
Ella" l began. sternly, but she inter-
rupted me with sort of petulance.
"Well, what was TO do? You went of
with the professor without saying a word
to US, and then lost Lofty, and l don't
know what should have done lift hadn't
been for the Myricks"'
"At least you might have ended your
perplexity sooner by coming home an
hour ago." l said coldly; but my re-
proaches were cut short by the sudden ap-
pearance Of the professor and Flossy COM
ing not from the direction Of the hotel, but
FROM the shore. They both looked excit-
ed. Flossy's eyes were big and shining,
and her hair was tumbiing out Of its net.
''Why, where is Lofty ~ exclaimed.
1--WE don't know where she is ~ said
Flossy, breathlessly. ave have looked
and looked, and can't find her anywhere"
II suppose it is partially my fault" said
the professor, humbly. when We went
up to the hotel We did not 90 into the par
lor At once, as was tracing out some Of
the consultations for Miss Dunbar, and
when We did 20 In, Miss Helmar was no.
where to be seen.''
"But you inquired? Yeu searched for
her? Where Is shey' l cried.
''Those Of whom Inquired" he replied,
''had last seen her prone aading with
young Ainsleigh. The surmise Is that
they went out for stroll on the rocks"
Then you have set the whole hotel to
surmising!" .......
s'Oh, Clara !" broke in Flossy, eagerly,
''I'm sure Professor Brown has been very
kind; and be has gone with me down on
thu pier, and to the grotto, and up to the
clin-all Lotty's favorite walks-but we
| could not find her.
l s.Yn,, dAae litfl> vvh;t> kltt>ns ~