Ellsworth American., 1876-07-13

he could have told the exact reason OF his
unusual reticence In this little matter.
though possibly he had a sort of un1efned
knowledge Of il 10 his mind.
! May WAS not far wrong in her conjecture
as 10 his being in love, or nearly SO, with
Ellen Stanyan. though he might scarcely
have acknowledged it to himself a. yet !;
neither was she mistaken In supposing that
it would be satisfactory to Tom il she at
| tracted the admiration of the brother,
! Qhough, OF course, that would unavoidably
happen; for May took all hearts by storm
| susceptible or otherwise. they must each
/ ultimately succumb to her witchery); but
| Tom knew that among her manifold good
| qualities there lurked just u sufficient spice
Of contrariety TO Illustrate any plans OF that
nature, should she obtain an inkling OF
their existence. So probably the knowl-
edge Of this fact prevented his being SO
communicative a usual, for fear he might
betray any half.formed wishes on the sub
| ject, and thus stir up the exercise of thi.
| very undesirable Characteristic. lie had.
| however, managed 10 accomplish IL as ef-
/ fectually As though he had never ceased
taking on the subject May being about as
cute a little fairy as ever cheated man
| ont OF his wits.
Herbert StanyaR quite merited the high
encomium Tom had passed on him. lie
WAS noble fellow. in the fullest sense Of
the term. Possessed of an intellect of a
high order, as was evidenced by the stir he
had already created in the literary world,
and a character and disposition which fail
ed not to win for him the love and respect
OF all who were privileged 10 be his asso-
ciate>. in Toms warm. generous heart,
there WAS already kiudled for him the gen
uine feeling of admiration which must ul
timaiely ripen into true friendship.
The young men had only met some three
or four times but seemed 80 drawn togeth-
cr by some cougenlaiitv of temperament.
that each looked forward with pleasure to
their next meeting.
When the day came for their dcpartnre
tn Aunt IiZlic'>-who>c residence was on
ly the distance oi Two hours drive, de
lghtiuliy situated near small seaside
VILLAGE May was in the highest spirits,
anticipating no end OF iun and enjoyment.
aud fully determined TO tease poor Tom out
OF his wits by acting in direct opposition To
what she conceived 10 be his wishes. COM
meBciDg to carry out her wicked intentions
during the drive ihither by expressing a
wish that a certain Young barrsteI-who
had lately been paving her great deal Oi
what Tom styled 'presumptuous attention.
and for whose character he had a particu-
lar aversion--would form one OF the party;
aud went on making such proyCkiugly ao-
surd surim>es abou. poet, that Tom felt
compelled Ia deliver grave lecture on
cultivatins the organ of yeneratiou, etc,
whica lasted TIL the carriage drove up the
broad grsytl-path leading 10 Seaside
Grange.
\ bright. merry party stood In the por-
tco Ia receive them, amongst whom were
many friends.
There were greetings and kisses ia plen-
ty for May, who was carried of TO her
room by a dark-eyed laughing romp OF a
girl named Phills. who held the privilege
OF being anon. the most Intimate OF them,
and who regaled Mays ears with Iolick.
ing description OF the arrivals aud their do
ings while She dofied her travelling gear.
on: don't put on your dinner-dress yet
said she. We are going To have archery,
or croquei, or something. first. I've been
wai'in. until you came 10 join in IL. Not
that care for the stupid games, but like
To quiz the players. Many good insight
into character have had on croquet-
ground, Look" " said she, going TO the viii
dow. Y our brother has already joined
them. Behold with what spite that Great
ure. Barbara Dalton, Is whirling poor FL
lens ball away! | do declare she's sent it
into the lake. An | zee. Tom is Elen's
partner. Poor Barbara
Which is Miss Stanyan: don't know
her. l. She nice z asked May.
Well, I've only met once before; but as
far as can Judge. shes the essence OF all
that's sweet and gentle
Just the qualities l lack. sighed the
good-natuTed holden. See, their she Is,
the tall, dark-eyed gir!,' added she. Tom
is just going up 10 her
Ii was "A pretty sight, the c.oquet-lawn,
with the red splendor oil the settling sun
streaming on TO il through the irestAgreen
foliage, casting long, still shadows OF The
tall pOplars athwart the greensward, streak
ing IL with alternate shades OF subdued and
brilli1nt green; the young ladies. with
their tasteful costumes and pretty faces. by
no means diminished the beauty OF the
picture. Altogether, il had such un iayit-
ing appearance, and the merry laughter
that mounted upon the sweet scented air
10 the window. be.oken such hearty enjoy
meut, that May. in her ea.erness 10 Join
them, completed her toilet in quick time,
aud would have put in an appearance with
the coquttish little hat perched on the
wrong way before, had not Philll, laugh
ingly righted 1t.
Has Ellen Stanyan's brother Gomez
asked she,as they stepped out into the sun
shine.
4 don't know; I've never seen him. Hes
mun of poet. isn't he'
Before May could reply, Tom came for
ward with the 'nuff of poet and intro
duced Kim. May looked up from her grace
ful bow into which she purposely managed
10 iniuse a certain little air ot mocking def
erence, and'met the gaze OF pair OF rath-
er grave, dark eyes, which. however, she
could but acknow edge 10 herself posses
sed wondrous beauty. They seemed to
lav . uifchip Ulautpnr in them
which held posse ession OF ones gaze, ,wheth-
er one wished or no and his voice was one
OF the few which had the power of striking
their cadence right down into the heart
They had brisk game. and afterward
pleasant stroll through the grounds, which
were very extensive. and abOunded IN de-
liyhtiul little tit-bits OF scenery. such as
artists and poets revel in. But Mr.. Stan
van neither rolled up his eyes, nor went
of into landscape rap,ures,' 50 that May
failed 10 find sn opportunity Of indulglng
her naughty desire OF teasing Tom by pok-
iny fun NJ the poet. for that night At least
They were right jolly party At the
Grange, who had evidently come there
with the full intent and purpose Of eojoyin.
themselves thoi oug hly most Of them know
ing their kind hostess OF old.
II was pleasant to see how the city re-
straint, which must be SO irksome to those
at all inclined 10 be natural, was al! thrown
to the winds, and every species of enjoy
ment entered into with that zest which can
only be produced by the delicious feeling
of freedom which is felt in the county and
by the seaside; and it WAS delightfully."- re-
| freshing to hear the artless music Of girl
ish laugh hter ringing out all untrsmmeled
by ANY mistaken notions Of property, till
the whole place was sthrill with its silvery
melody.
| Kind Aunt Lizzie was ever cOntriving
some fresh scheme Tor enhancing the pleas
ure of her visitors; and there were picnic
parties, visits to old ruins, boating excur
sioss, rowing matches for the gentlemen
| (and ladies too, Tor that matter, spite of
blistered fingers and stiff shoulder -joiots)
Shooting, in which some OF the young la
dies of the Kate Coventry style displayed
great proficiency. which WAS caution to
young rabbits. and made first OF Septem-
| kars onru in, ri. m plv sfvIa