Ellsworth American., 1876-12-07

ter. For my part she was fond of say
| ing, its jest as plain as the nose on my
face that these two people were cut out for
each other. He's considerably older than
she Is. he's good-looking, smart well-con-
nected, and pretty well off. As for that
though, she's got money enough for both
Only herself and mother to share all that
Reid property The unlucky insnuation
that perhaps Elinor was waiting for her
cousin, never failed to rouse Miss Lode
my's Indignation. That's likely story!
What do you s'pose those two children
knew about love! The new minister -four
years residence in Thorndale had not been
sufficient To rob him OF the distinguishing
title, new will carry the day, or I'll mis-.
my guess and Miss Lodemy nodded her
head triumpbantly.
But, owing to our privilege of authors
clairvoyance, we were able to see that the
er h'ff tfat tdI deIis only stood to each 9TH
very dear friends Living as Gilbert Pal
mer did when he first came to rhorndale,
above the village gossip, no hint OF Elinor's
attachment to her cousin had reached his
ear. Long ago had he declared his love;
long ago had he received his answer His
qniet words rang constantly in her ears
Il have waited nearly lifetime for happi-
ness, Elinor; shall wait still longer
Over and over again Elinor said TO her
self. Il love John, OF course. | love him .
When young woman seeks to conv ince
herself in this way, does she love him.
When John comes home, she thought.
all will be WELL And John had written
that he was coming. He had left Germany
But the days hadi passed into weeks aud
the weeks into Smonths, until over two
years had been spent in dreary suspense
a x-nftt l., 81.
forced to admit the Illuminating truth that
her affection for John Douglas had drop
ped to the level of pure Sstery feeling
And now began the battle between love
and (what seemed to be- duty.
We understand now the reason OF her
tired look, to-day. The submissive attitude
Of the trees, holding up their gaunt arms
TO tie sky, seemed 10 her type Of the des-
olate, waiting lives in the world. But for
the trees, At least, Is a coming spring
time she murmured. The next moment
she laughed at herself for the fancy. Am
growing sentimental? A walk to Amt
Marion's will cure me
She left the paIl Tor, aud shortly after pre-
seuting herself with hat and cloak. at the
door OF her mothers room. Il am going
to " Woodside'
What long, lonely road at this late hour2
inquired MIS-. iclu-
The walk Will do me good replied Eli
nor, aud Aunt Marion will bring me home
after tea.
Nothing escaped Miss Lodcmy, sewing
by the window OF the little brown cottage
over the way She watched Elinor out OF
sight with a wise smile lowering over her
thin lips shes started to see her aunt,
Ill bet; and the minister went the same
way, full two hours ago. How surprised
she'll be" But another surprise was in
store for Elnor OF which Miss Lodemy lit
tie dreamed.
Night came on. a raw, cheerleSs night
IL was too dark to sew longer by the Win
dow. and Miss Lodemy prepared to light
the lamp and draw the curtains. The sit
tirg-roOm floor, like life had its ups and
downs Enough to make a teller sca->ick
10 walk round here, grumbled the brisk
little woman. Gas she creaked about. stir
ed WORK. suddenly ner attention was ar
rested by the sound of wheels They stop
ped at the house opposite, and by strain
ln1 h"r eve. in the darkne She saw the
figure OF a man aii-nu r.---- -i--- ,..-
ragc, and with hasty strides. 20 up the
graveied path TO the house. Miss Lodemy
grew excited. She felt unequaled to Oh
serving this all alone. 1t was high time
to call in her sister. and the shirll voice
piped out, 'Lorauy, Lorauy"
The kitchen door opened. and through It
drifted an ;odor of fruits and spices, and
freshly baked bread and pies. Lorany ap-
peared in the doorway, with her sleeves
rolled up, and general Thanksgiving
-Come-but-once-a -a-year air about her.
These sisters were a curious pair. one. aS
sharp and slender A. the needle, the sign
OF her trade; the other, round, smooth and
heavy as one of her own apple -dumpllngS.
What's wanting, Lodemyl Don't him
der, I'm in hurry to finish up the work
Seems 10 me shall never Get through.
The pies are not more'n halt baked; took
me pretty much all the afternoon to PIN
feather them chickens
Somebody's Gomez breathesSiy eX
claimed Miss Lodemy,
.Herel Good luck" said Lorany, look
ING helple,-ly down at her haIt-mourung
calico, rather worse for its kitchen expert
ences
40. no, Al the Rcids. y man has just
gone in there. It's 50 dark that | cant tell
who he is, but >pose'n il should be
John Douglass" broke IN Lorany,
We'll, well. and, unmindtul OF her hall
finished baking. she placidly sank into tie
low rock-chair, while ner sister mann tsn-
ed her post by the window.
TEL you what. Mrs. Douglass will be
happy woman if John has come home
said Miss Lodemy. Poor woman. she's
had sight OF trouble. Wonder If John
ever got the news of his fathers DEATH?
You can't tell much by them Reds and
Douglasses.' rejoined her sister. They
amt very free to talk She took up the
poker and gave the fire stir. This atten-
ton was entirely unnecessary, but 1t was
absolutely impossible tor Lerany TO sit with
empty hands. She was one OF the worlds
grown up babies, constantly demanding
plavthing If che sat down five minutes
TO wait she must twirl the scissors, or fd-
get the fire, or bite piece Of thread, or
roll the spools over the table.
There, he's cone out, and is going off
again. suddenly announced the sentinel
at the window.
Loranv hurried to look, but her curiosity
was doomed to be unsatistied; the carri-
age with its occupants drove away as rap
idly and mvsteriously as it came. We
| may as vel, give it up. reluctantly admit
t.d both sisters in one disappointed breath
Mrs Doglas had invited the minister to
| tea. this afternoon. Surely, this was moth
ing unusal. He was frequent and al
| wavs welcome visitor at the woodside
t,,rm There was a strange bond of SYM
nathy between Gilbert Palmer and Mrs
| Douolas Sne new his secret: she only
Guessed Elinor's. But a mothers soul
| has keen intntions, and she felt that Elm
or was lost to John. Next to her son.
Eliuor was here idol. She could not bear
the thought of her girls unhappiness; and
though her heart pleaded powerfully for
her absent son, she resolved to try to
smooth out the tangled skcin of these two
lives. In asking Gilbert Palmer to come
10 the farm, to day, double motive-a
vague idea that iu some way she should
provc a help aud comfort. But its use
less meddling with Fate. She had her
own way, and it was not part OF her plan
that the lovers should be helped out oi
their dilemma precisely in the maner Mrs.
Douglas intended. Elinor never knew
what topic of conversation her unlocked
for arrival spoiled.
Taking of angles, Elinor, said Mrs
Douglas, smiling, as she came forward to
welcome her niece.
The color ieepened on Elinor's cheeks
Have |, then. been pointing moral
she asked.
.No-that isl was thinking-we wer,