Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-02-17

troduce you to my dear friend and travel
ling companion, Miss Stevens
Mr.. Preston stepped quickly forward
with kindly welcome on his lips. but witt
one glance at the slight figure before him
he exclaimed, "Mahala. my Mahala! Ar,
yeu still alivcT And he clasped her, hal
faintng. in his arms.
Kate stood in silent amazement at tbess
words. but her surprise deepened when
Miss Stevens, partially recovering herse,
sobbed out, 20 Robert Robert they told
me you were dead and came to Calfor-
MIA to search for your grave.'
Did your" thought Kate. 81 fancied
you came as my companion and house
Keeper. l see now why you were so eager
| for the trip"
In the meantime, the lovers thus wonder
fully restored to each other were pouring
forth their mutual stories. from which Kate
gathered that before her uncle's departure
for California they had met and loved, but
Miss Stevens's father refused con sent until
Roberts business prospects were brighter
He accordingly went to California, as thou
sands have done, to seek hi $ fortune, and
| from the first was very successful. He
had been absent about two years, and was
thlnking OF returning to claim his bride,
when he received letter from Young
man VINO had been quite intimate with him.
and who now announced with many ex-
pressions Of sympathy aud regret, the
death of Mahala Stevens.
Robert Preston wrote repeatedly to var
ious acquaintances for particulars, but OBJ
tanned no answer. With this change in all
his plans, he no longer wished to return
home, and had almost entirely ceased from
any communication with his Eastern
friends.
Ia l1I In ha,
ed at not hearing from her lover. but for a
time was too much occupied by the sud
den illness and death of her parents to feel
seriously alarmed. At last the same young
man who had announced her death to
Robert Cquleting his conscience, perhaps
by the reflection that her mothers name
was Maiaha Stevens, brought her a letter
purportlng TO be from an acquaintance Of
Mr.. Preston, telling OF his death, and Civ
lng such full details that the poor oirI
could not doubt the truth ofthe statement.
or course the letter was base fabrica-
tosI. and equally, of course, the Young
man bc'n- assistant postmaster, had sup
pressed all letters on either side
But what could have been Clark's mo-
tive:" demanded Mr.. Preston. We had
always been friendly"
''fie prosecuted me 50 much with his .t
tentions, after telling me Uf your death.
that finally moved to the city to avoid
him.' answered MISS Stevens, so nre-
sumo he intended to separate US, and
marry me himself"
And did you not wonder at the simil-
arIty OF the name when you heard of me as
kate's uncle?''
1T so happened that have only heard
or you AS uncle. or Uncle Robert, and did
not know any other name for you"
Il am exceedingly sorry to interrupt
you, my dear uncle and auntie," Kate now
lnterpoSed, with saucy emphasis on the
iast word put II is growing very late,
anu you 90 not look quite in company
trim"
Il beg your pardon. Kate" exclaimed
Mr. Preston. Il did not intend to neg
lect you, but you see"
y Is, | see 1t all laughed Kate. .und
am most thankful. even if | do lose INV
position as head of this establishment.
with an arch glance at Miss Stevens.
Il ii hnd you position quite as much to
your mind. if am not mistaken" reioincd
her uncle. Come, now, and see nv
Christlnas-tree before escape to my room
for live minutes"
but first, uncle" said Kate, laying a
detaining hand upon him as he moved TO-
wards the door, please tell me why YOU
WIGS AHS ~ "Sdi lhts Ntll Al nome IL
would ouly be considered suitable for a
BRIDE
assure you that here it will be consid-
! cred very suitable aud very becoming to
you, replied her uncle. saw IA lady
wear similar one at the last party at
tended. BY the toy, | ordered flowers
Tor your use, and imagine they are la your
room by this time"
Orange blossoms, doubtless" said
Kate. gayly.
Yes. orange blossoms" csolly replied
! her uncle. But hurry now; we will dis
pute about the veil and flowers to-iuor-
row."
SO saying he led the way through the
long suite of brilliantly lighted parlors,
at the extreme end of which was recess
formed by deep bay-window. In this
stood an immense Christmas-.ree laden
with costly gifts.
believe there is something for each of
| our expected guests" said Mr.. Preston, as
/ Kate expressed her wonder at the pro
! fusion OF articles; land your gift | will
present now" he added, detaching fold
ed paper from the tree. This is the
| check which promised on the day OF
your arrival; but you must take it with
an encumbrance-not an unwelcome one,
trust And as he spoke he drew aside
the heavy curtains OF the window, and
disclosed to Kates astonished gaze the
form of Ralph Sinclair,
This is my Christmas gift" said Uncle
Robert. after he had allowed a judicious
time for lovers raptureS. This poor fel-
low came to me when he first reached San
Francisco. seekin. employment. We
gradually became acquainted, and when l
found he knew your fathers family,
soon learned his whole story. | would
not have another life wrecked as mine had
been, so l formed little plot to get YOU
here, and settle things In my own way.
Now, Miss Kate" he concluded, "if YOU
have any objections to bridal wells and or.
ange blossoms, state them at once, for the
clergyman will be here in half an hour"
"Clergyman r. cried Kate as if about
to demonstrate against such hurried pro-
ceedings; but her lovers pleading look
silenced her for moment. Presently,
however she exclaimed. II will never
consent to such ia plan unless we NAV
have double wedding. Then | shall
feel that | am not the only one who has
| received valuable Chr .Stmas gifts"
Il AN entirely convinced of thp. .,ii al-
ready" answered Uncle Roth Of Shin
taking Miss Stevenss hand. hths.
1--WE have waited loug, Maha1Le young
not be as Kate proposesT' from
"The guests are coming!" cried Kate, !
loud peal was heard at the door-bell.
"She consents. uncle; can see it in her
eyes. But you must not stop to look at
them" And she drew Miss Stevens away
to her own rooms, whence, half an hour
later issued two of the loveliest brides that
San Francisco had ever seen; and we
have yet to learn that Mrs Sinclair.
though still member of his family, has
ever felt the slightest Jealousy of her un-
cle's housekeeper.
"Of all the loye affairs in the world,
none can surpass the true love of the bi g
! boy for his mother Ii is q nure 1--we a nd