Ellsworth American., 1876-06-01

lege. Once or twice We had broached the
subject, but be seemed inclined to be lit
tie reserved about 1t, and We let It drop.
II don't see why he has TO go at all.
said Grace. 'he knows enough now"
He Is certainly very intelligent for a
man OF his age" said Arabella; but OF
course he wants to fsish his studies.
wonder what he intends to be. II is strange
that he does not tell US more In regard to
himself and his plans
MAY be Frank can tell US" said Grace.
archly.
A curious little smile was playing about
Franks mouth.
"He left college a year ago, and is ex-
pecting soon TO take partner and begin
business, l believe" she said demurev.
Arabella looked up In surprise.
''Why, thought his uncle spoke as If
he were still STUDENT
There was some mistake about that, |
think said Frank. The farmer was speak
ing of his nephew, Ralph Hill, not OF Ralph
Strong"
And who is Ralph Strong then?'' asked
Arabella In amazeincnt
''k-lnh Strong Is farmer,fIill's hired man
said Frank Just as If the fact were some
thing 10 be proud Of.
WHAT cried Arabella, sharply.
ale is farmer Hills hired mat." repeat
ed Frank
The impudent puppy" exclaimed Ar
abells, completely thrown of her dignity
by his rather startling announcement.
"Wouldn't base inposter' be more
appropriate term" suggested Frank tor
mentlugly.
lie certainly cannot expect us to re-
ceve him any longer as a guest Arabella
RI hA
We might possibly receive him as one
Of the family, though said Frank, turning
to the window to hide her bushes.
4 dim perception OF the truth began to
dawn Sn Arabella.
1t is not possible that he has had the
assurance II ask you TO marry him. she
said. ireezinsly.
WHY not? he loves me and love him,
returned Frank, brayely.
This was 4 Little too much. No words
could adequately express Our constrrua-
ton. aud We all three sat and gazcd NJ her
In silence.
1t i, just too bad" sighed Grace, NJ
last with tears in her eyes. lit, going 10
spoil all our good times
'lt's very unpleasant mistake from be-
ginning to end said Arabella, with an Ell
fort To compose herself; but IL proves con
clu>iycly that Ralph Strong, whatever else
he may be. is no gentleman.
on are wrong there" cried Frank.
th flashing eyes and then like tie true
woman she H. bravcly took up the absent
ones defence.
Il seems that the nephew, Ralph Hill,
when the farmer went TO call him that
memorable evening was absent at the
time. 30 Ralph Strong was sent In hi
lIaii n fn
visit Us. without the least suspicion that we
were taking him for other than he was, he
had come and gone In bissiul ignorance,
until one evening, while contding TO FranA
some bits of personal history, he chanced
10 discover the mistake we were making,
and was eager at once to explain; but
Frank partly from q love of mischief, aud
partlS for fear that the explanation would
put au end 10 his coming, begged him To
keep quiet for awhile. 80 the fault Is all
mine" she said. "and now you may call
him what you lihe-farmer lllil- nephew
or farmer iill's hired man--Io me he Is
and has been from the first, simply Ralph
Strong. the trues: and best msn, | have
ever known
And All Arabella's arguments failed 70
convince her that plou2hin. and rcaptng
for farmer Hill had III any way lcs>cncd
his manhood. or that in marrying farmer
she would be booming herself 10 HE Of
daily drudgerv. 80 there was nothing more
10 be said. She was of age, and had a per
feet right 10 do as she pleased but it seem
ed so odd that Frank who had refused
more offers than she could well remember,
was, alter all going to marry farmer HilFs
hired man.
IL came 10 light little later that he was
himself the owner of q handsome farm,
aud had hired him self TO Farmer filll chlei-
ly for the purpose OF learning how 10 man
age II. having discovered, In college, that
he knew far more OF astronomy than OF az
riculture, but even this modifying fact
could not restore Arabella's composure.
Father and mother came home in the
fall and wc all went back TO town-and at
Christmas there was wedding. Arabella
declared that il was a disgrace 10 the fam
liz; but father, who Is quick at reading
men. said Ralph Strong was worthy Of ary
woman, aud that Frank had shown her
good sense.
They have been married three years
now, and Grace and 20 to visit them ev
cry summer. Their home is a little Eden.
and Frank Is as happy as a queen. To be
sure she has some care, as every wife and
mother must have but | can't see that she
- Obt Ult lllOtc VI AAail ahS NlfN
woman; and. as FOR her husband, he grows
nober and better every day, a every true
man must, who has a true wife 10 help
him
Arabella has not yet been 10 see them,
but don't think her injured dignity can
hold out much longer; FOR Frank with the
sweet forgiveness OF her nature has named
her baby for her, and q daintier baby Bell
was never seen. They are going 10 bring
her to town soon. and Grace and l feel
sure that she will prove little peacemak-
er.
Speaking OF Arabella, it reminds me
that, last summer. we met farmer Hills
nephew himself-the other Ralph. They
say he is rich; but poor fellow, he is great
ly to be pitied, for he not only has weak
'narves,' but weak head as we'll; and
even Arabella-worldly minded as she is
could She once see him, would be quite
willing to acknowledge that Frank had
made happy mistake in taking the hired
man instead.-[ Palladium.