Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-03-05
"Only a week." she answered, cool.

A'Ssey meyer lOSc tuelr
breath" thought Fred, half vexed. He
tried to talk, but the girl would not do
her part. Her answers were short, and
so complete in themselves as to give
the death-blow to connected converse.
ton. But still he struggled on until,
as he had just exhausted a life-stock
Of leading questions and suggestive
themes, they reached Mr.. Grandin's
gate.
Fred went TO his room disguised.
She plainly was case Of bird that
could sing. but wouldn't to him.
"What do l care, blasted fool that
am?'
He picked up book and tried to
read, but after some very hard work
and very slow progress, he concluded
it must be too dark, and fell think.
ing. And this last he evidently found
absorbing, if not pleasant, for he
frowned and grated his teeth-a pretty
trick he had-until diner time.
Fred found out that Mrs. Grandin
and Alice were going to a reception,
the next evening, to which lie had an
invitation. He did not offer to go with
them, lest something should prevent
Alice from going (he had grown sus-
picious,) but he dressed without whs-
perng word, and, an hour after their
departure, he started out.
As he stood in Mrs. Seaton's draw.
ing-room, he saw as fine company as
he often met. Music, art and litera-
ture were all well represented here. and
beauty and refinement were, Of course,
In profusion. Soon his quick eve
caught sight Of a graceful form he
could not mistake. lie saw her turn
and walk slowly toward him, leaning
on the arm of one of the most bril-
liant society men in Boston. A beau
tlful woman. dressed beautifully, is
wonderful thing. She seems quite
lifted out Of the world of commonplace,
into which. one after another, almost
all our grandest sentiments sink, and
out of which our personality never,
even for n moment, entirely raises it.
self
Alice seemed perfectly radiant. Her
dark eyes were all on fire with enthusi-
asm aud delight; one could imagine he
read almost anything there. The
sweetest and most fascinating smiles
chased one another over her half
flushed checks, and her voice had the
peculiar silvery ring of high.strung
nature. Fred wondered if vanity had
worked the magic transformation.
"Why, Mr.. Grandlin, didn't know
you were coming" Fred explained in
some ingenious manner. He thought
an evasion would not be very danger
Gus with her.
Nov" she proposed after Mr.. |
IKE 70 take me into the back -parlor to |
see beautiful painting there:'
Fred would be charmed. She rest
ed her little gioved hand on his arm. |
anu he tried To walk as if he did not
feel proud, but did not succeed SC re-
markablv well. Fred had delightful
time. His lovely little companion was
as gracious and communicative as
heart could wish, and his heart wished
a good deal. They stood before the
picture, but talked of hundred things,
none very deep. none very long, glid-
ing from one to another, as if 4 com
mon mind guided them. Emotion.
had pretty vel taken the place of
thought in Fred's excited brain, when
another gentleman came up and took
Alice away. Fred did not want TO see
any one else that night, but hurried
home with feeling of vague, delicious
After breakfast. next morning, with
IN expectant, perhaps even complacent
smile on his face, he asked, Can have
.he pleasure of taking you to drive ,
his afternoon, Miss Rayton:"
Thank you" answered that lady.
title coldly, after moments pause,
but it will be impossible for me to 90"
Fred bit his lip, then endeavored to
ook as If he didn't care, and TO that I
nd even started a little whistle
That's funny" he thought; .'she evi. !.
lently don't care to know Inc much ,
'etter. AS bewitching girl as ever ,
aw."
Christmas came, and there had been
othlng like i melting of the ice. 1
red grew restless and anxious, but c
fter many repulses and other more
ubtle discouragements, followed by
loomy after-thoughts, he concluded h
e had better give it up. But then a
would make him think lie S
hight be mistaken; and so he kept a
rying once more. v
The Christmas presents lay on the a
arlor table when the family went in +
tter dinner. Alice saved one package il
III the last, and after everybody had a
nburdened their several loads of graf p
ude, she began to unite that. Itwas u
jewel box, and as she touched the !,
Dring, with eyes as curious and eager ft
3 childs, she saw revealed pair Of "
,litaire diamond earrings. Alice was p
elighted. She declared her uucle 81
rank was the best man in the world, u
nd she would sufocate him with p
isses. But Frank was not to be W. =,
'und. He had left the room just be- D,
re she opened the last package out te
delicacy. Alice thought. Mrs. b.
randin looked little surprised, but "
,knowledged the gifts were beautiful. o.
red sat before the crate and said not q, ~
word nor offered to look at them. w w
Next morning. Alice looked remark. dr
bly, sober, Fred thought, and was tn
.ther surprised she said nothing about ST
le diamonds. But in q few minutes m
[rs. Grandin beckoned him into side tr
,om, and to bib astonishment handed -. ~
i'm the jewel box. "
"Alice couldn't let you give them to so
sr, my dear boy, but she says she is pc
rateful for your kindness" 80
Fred took them without a word and sa
lrried them up the back stairs to his ea ee
wn room. 81 supposed she was 90 90
,rt Of rQlutiva ho I,:.x