Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-01-22

you will see that the present is hardl,
the proper time"
She looked and read:
"For DR.. Amos Palmer, as sliyh,
token Of love and devotion, from his
daughter, Clara Bartol."
She blushed and trembled; but she
was very happy.
SIS it poetry" she asked, feeling
the crumpliny paper within the envel.
ope.
mo, sweet love it is prose-"
In time the company was assembled
and Philip and Clara knelt before the
aged clergyman. At the proper mo
ment the groom slipped the ring upon
the brides finger, and Clara caught,
in the strong lamp-light, dazzle and
sparkle that startled her. 1t seemed
as il living fame had leaped from
her tiagcr. Philip saw her start, and
he caught her hand and covered the
magic gem from the light.
When the ceremony was completed,
and the happy pair had been duly sa-
luted and congratulated, Clara remem-
bered the envelope, and she carried
and gave it TO her father.
"Clara What is that he cried.
lie did not allude to the envelope,
but TO the stone that blazed upon her
finger.
MY husband put it there" she
said.
DR.. Palmer was an educated man.
and he had travelled. He knew that
the stone thus bestowed upon his
daughter was worth any ten farms in
Ashton combined!
"Open the envelope" whispered
Clara. ''Philip says it's prose. l
want to see. He says it is my gift.
Oh, hope it will please you,"
The old doctor tore open the envcl-
ope, and the enclosed papers we're re-
vealed. First was the eed
upon his estate, cancelled. Next were
halt-a-dozen promissory notes, given
different individuals, at different times,
with the name Of "Amos Palmer" at
the bottom and the word Paid had
been written across their faces in red
ink. Last was an envelope, in which
were found ten government goldbear-
ing coupon bonds of one thousand
dollars each.
Just then Philip came up. Clara
caught him By the arm, and the old
man stood, pale and trembling, as the
poor fisherman might have done when
he first saw the genii emerging from
the bottle.
My dear father" said Philip, with
a smile, at the same time winding his
arm around Clara, and drawing her
close 10 his bosom. "when l told you
that l was an orphan, with no near
relatives living, I diu not tell you of
all my misfortunes. have the further
mlstortune-or fortune, if you please
SO TO call it-of having had landed up
ON my youthful shoulders an estate
which, when I returned from India, /
found 10 have grown to almost mill
ion Of dollars. Do you wonder that |
felt anxious: Do you wonder that
felt strong desire that the woman
who was TO make and bless nv home
should separate me from my outer
fortune? At all events l think l have
done the best thing ever did.
"Philip!'
mo tears, precious wife. We have
your blessing, father:'
The old physician struggled up from
his state of bewilderment, and caught
Philip by the hand. Then he took
the hand of his daughter, and he held
the two together.
BLESS you, my children: God bless
and keep you ever! Philip, this girl
is my daughter, but do not fear to
say that you have gained true and
faithful heart. Such a daughter as she
has been to me cannot make else than
a loyal ard devoted WIFE"
Aye-Philip Bartol had done wisely
and we'll. He had gained the chief JOY
of his home tor the coming time, and
he knew that the true heart of his wife
was not to fail him while life should
endure.