Ellsworth American., 1874-06-18

MS ABSURD devotion to Lofty the year be
fore had already been the theme Of xossip
and he was = mere boy, not twenty. H.
had met her at the mountains arst, carried
ner camp-stool for her, and joined her ID
All her madcap climbs with . boyish xea
that won her favor, till he wound It up b,
falling madly In love. Lofty laughed a,
him good naturedly, and thought no more
OF 1t until after her return to town, when h.
followed her about 50 persistently that the
Ainsleighs were terribly ANNOYED. and
sent him South for the Winter.
And now here he had turned M again.
just when had the whole responsibility oi
Lefty, too! And what would the world
say and the proud old family OF Ainsleighs,
II there should be any imprudencep Lofty
Wa no slave to etiquette, either ;she would
do right, but 1t must be in her own w.v
rendering these thing In . coward heart
but with brave face. l walked I'D 70
Lofty, and let her give me an Introduction
We then started together along the home.
ward path. Ella and dear little Flossy fol.
lowing demurely behind with the baby car
riase.
You'll 30 sailing with me this after.
noon, Lottyf" asked the Ainsleigh boy
confidently. Ny hand was on Lottv,s
arm, aud gave her warning pressure.
she looked up and laughed.
why. no, Bob, not to-day she said
Its too late" And tomorrow YOU 90
duck shooting. But next day, or next.
maybe, I'll give you a race-a rowing
match, You know. l am longing to touch
the oars.
His williul, handsome face, which had
grown dark at nrst. frightened, at that.
and he took OF his hat to us gracefully .s
he leit us at the cottage.
Now. Lotty!" 1 exclaimed, rs soon a.
We were fairly inside, "dont. please
dont!"
Don't what, Clara7 You know am
no hirt." she replied almost Indignantly
BOB owns he behaved ridculously last
year and wants n chance to redeem him
self shall treat him, jus, as ALWAYS
have as good na,ured boy"
Well Lofty was not a girl to be very
easily led or commanded. and I could
iei'ently hope that the Aiusleiyhs would
soon leave the island, and that. a every
thing always did come out right with
Lofty. this thing might too. But | could
not watch her much, because OF Rosie.
While John was with us we were Off In
The sail-boat, Rosie and ali; or II at home.
and the girls wanted me to promenade
with them In the hotel piazza, or visit the
music hall, John was always ready to
have frolic with his baby daughter. aud
now my little despot made great demands
upon my time, often drawing me away
from the others, and almost daily wanting
her nap just at the bathing hour, so that
he girls had TO go down to the beach with
put me. However, there was no harm In
that. for there were none but nIcc o,i.,
people at the hotel, mostly ladies, and
there seemed to be no necessity for severe
chapcroning. Here was this Bob Aim
sleigh, though to be sure. and for him
meant to keep bright lookout,
The day that he went duck-shooting
passed quietly. We spent most of the
time in the sitting room. famed BY sea-
oreezes through the open windows, dip
ping our fingers In plates OF salt water,
Arranging sea-mosses under The professors
supervision. He had kindled us with
some OF his own enthusiasm ior the pretty
things, and we worked over them patiently
all but Ella Floyd. She took no intere,,
in our work, aud sat most OF the time out
in the porch reading.
But the next morning Bob Ainsleigh did
not fail TO waylay US, on our way to break
fast, to tell Lofty that he had two good
boats ready at the pier.
Very well, said Lofty, IN be down
there at nine. Now mind you choose me
good stout oars, Bob
"Ay. ay"' he said, and whIstled . sail
or's tune as be walked gaily away"
Now. Lofty" l v-ntured, anxiously,
lis this quite sure the proper thing? do
wish you had not agreed to go!'
Father will not object" said Lofty.
Father taught me to row
and he and / used TO have q race
every morning in the bay at Nantucket
when we were there. He is proud OF nv
wrong 1T is not the rowing--it's Boo!"
insisted. LOFTY, please promise me that
you won't race with him again, nor 20 In
a boat with him while we are here. don't
want people talking while you are in my
care"
'Oh. you are getting to be such q duen-
M, Clara!" she exclaimed, laughing. II
will promise willingly. But you must not
object 70 something else am going to do,
for father gave his consent before LEFT
home and that Is, to hire little boat for
myself for the season, and 60 out rowing
In it at least an hour every day alone, ex-
cept when either you or one OF the girls
wants to 60"
That l asssnted to, feeling rather proud
myself OF Lotty's prowess. She was .
true Helmar. Every one knew the Hell
mars, and they acted always honorably,
always independently, and did everything
In strong, brave. vigorous way.
"Still, l am glad my other girls are Of
the quiet Sort" thought, looking At
Flossy and Ella, who were listening with
all their ears.
The boat race came of, and 1t was very
exciting. We went down on the pier to
see them start. The hotel guests got an
ii,kling Of this affair, and hocked to the
shore just As they pushed OF, giving them
three rousing cheers.
It was three miles around the island,
aud the boats were more than two hours
making the circuit, fighting against wind
and tide. There was . throng Of people
down on the pier to cheer them - they
came in, so nearly side By side that neither
could be fairly declared victor after al.
Bob helped Lofty ashore, and I was on
the spot 1t once 70 take her home. l sup