The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-12-22
CHAPTER VI.

Mr.. Eaton seated Lima upon his right and
Ella upon his left, and proceeded to wait up
on and entertain them with all the politeness
of thoroughbred gentleman. From the
first moment of her introduction, Ella fancied
that she had seen Mr.. Eaton before, but where
she could not bring to mind. She tried to re-
collect where she had seen any one that re-
sembled him; sometimes she could almost
grasp it, then IL eluded her like q phantom.
Louisa Allison sat beside her and every few
minutes she made some remark concerning
" the lovers" DIS she called Ellis and Luclla,
who sat at the other end of the table. To a
casual observer there seemed much to justify
the nsinudfion. Luella managed to keep him
constantly waiting upon her by asking for
things in an undertone, and whenever Ella
looked that way, directed by Louisa, she saw
him performing some office for her-passing
her cup or handing her something-all of
which, as Ella did not know he had been ask
ed to do SO, looked as though he was extreme
ly attentive, and to all appearances lie was de-
lighted with the sparkling repartees, and
small talk, with which she kept that end Of
4
It was very tedious and unpleasant repast to
Ella. The excitement of the day, and the pc
culiar and trying circumstances under which
she was placed, was beginning to tell upon
her nerves. unacciistomed as she was to any
thing of the kind. Although tie plotters
looked in vain for some signs Of the jealousy
they were anxiously expecting nevertheless
in her heart there was very desolate feeling
and she longed to be in her quiet room, where
she could throw off the mask of assumed
cheerfulness and think it over.
The dinner was ended at length, and then
the pleasures of the day began in eafncst.--
Games Of all kinds we're proposed, from the
most modern and approved to the almost OBJ
solete "pussy wants corner" In which the
old and young entered unreservedly while
the q we onesy" had delightful time with
the grace-hoops, balls and tops Lucia had
provided them with at her own expcnse, She
promised the children these when she invited
them, and to forget them until the last mo-
ment, and then compel Ellis to drive in town
with her and thereby keep him from going
with Ella, as he had promised, was plan she
and Lima had devised. II came near failing
however, for Ellis, who was no coward in his
love affairs, boldly acknowledged his engage
ment to Ella. Lima Immediately stepped for
ward and kindly offered to call for her, and
explain the matter and see that she was
brought safely there.
But Ellis did not fancy losing his morning
ride which constituted the chief pleasure Of
the day to him. ~ will write her note
which you will give her, if you please it will
be all sufficient" he said. This threatened a
total destruction Of their plans, but Louisa
Allson's inventive brain arranged it in the
satisfactory way already described.
There were two charades gotten up by Bell
Courtney and some Of her friends. A prom
inent part in one of them was played by Ellis
and Luella in which hc was made to say,
:. For years have sought this boon and wilt
thou deny me still /" and when Lucia lifted
her beautiful eyes to his face and replied
''No, in spite of all will now be thine
Louisa, who sat next to Ella; whispered To
Mr.. Dayton, al shouldn't wonder if that wal
something more than nero acting" "Lelar
| Is a fool to allow her with him as she does,
lie replied. I" If l were him I'd bring her tt
the point or leave herr"
He will never do that rs long as he has 9
straw of hope left" she returned.
There was die circumstance that made thu
day particularly unpleasant to Ella, that wal
the manner in which she was constantly guard
ed by Louisa and her crew. Never except thu
few moments in the early part of the day hat
she been left alone.
In all the general plays where they wou''