Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-16
ICON timed from first psge.l

herself, as she ran down the stairs and
opened the parlor door.
Where is Della P" she asked, thinking
there was no longer any reason why she
should keep concealed the fact of her be-
ing Delia's sister.
"You are teasing me about my pretty
flame who married Mr.. Sidney Lawrence,
answered Mr.. Wallherg. "She was mar
ried only yesterday"
ITO Sidney Lawrence y echoed Eleanor
"Yes, the clothier. They were married in
church in fine style. The bride was
dressed in white silk and orange blossoms,
and had three bridesmaids"
sis II possible said Eleanor, while she
was thinking, "where did mother get the
money for these things? Did Mr.. Law
renee give it,"
Mr.. Wallberg had come to tell her that
Mrs. Henderson needed her very much,
and requested her to come back, ii she
felt well enough.
So the next day, Eleanor with troubled
heart, went to her own home again.
Mrs. Brown was sitting by the window.
and saw her daughters arrival. and
rushed to the door to greet her. As soon
as her bonnet was off, Eleanor demanded
an explanation of Delia's marriage.
"Delia persuaded me not to tell you I'M
I'll it was over" said Mrs Brown PLAIN
lively. "She said you would fuss over
everything and make her miserable. And
so yielded"
"Mr. Lawrence paid for the finery, OF
course" said Eleanor. as her mother
paused.
"EIeanor ~ shrieked her mother" do
you suppose | would publish our poverty
to the whole town. Accept such gifts
from Mr.. Lawrence Let Della go to him
a beggar! Never"
Then you went in debt for her clothes
and everything else"
81 am in debt for her clothes at Mr..
Sbarpleigh's store. But | paid for the
breakfasts very simple one-and for the
flowers
"IIow Pr asked Eleanor.
.Now, don't make fuss, Eleanor, but
had to do it. l sold the-the-watch. "
Fathers watch, that was TO go to Will
lie !" exclaimed Eleanor
IL was obliged to. owe Mr.. Sharp
leigh one hundred and eighty dollars"
"How will il ever be paid. motherP"
IL must scrimp it out somehow. and of
course you will go back to your position
again. Eleanor"
''Of course" said the girl sadly" but
with all our efforts it will take two years
to pay such debt"
When Della came home from her bridal
trip Eleanor went to her, and told her she
must ask her husband for the money to
pay Mr.. Sharpley's debt. Della positively
refused. During the four weeks she had
been Mrs. Lawrence, she had found out
that MIR. Lawrence was close, even miser
ly, and would allow her only few dol
lars month as pin money. Eleanor went
back in despair. She got copying from
the lawyer. and by sitting up until long
after midnight every night. she managed
to make six or seven dollars a week extra. |
But this constant labor told very percepti- |
bly, on her health. Mr.. Wallberg knew
now where Eleanor lived and that she
was Delia's sister. The girl thought it |
useless to try TO conceal it longer. She
had never wished to conceal it from the |
first, but had done so at her mothers re-
quest. Whatever Mr.. Wallberg thought.
he said nothing. but frequently met Ell
eanor, and walked home with her. These
walks were source of great delight to
the weary girl, and she felt her heart
bound with JOY when one quiet evening
in October Mr.. Wallberg asked her to be
his wife. But although her agitation and
futterng color betrayed her love. she re-
fused him decidedly. Hurt and surprised,
he left her at once. Poor Eleanor her
heart was full, but she was firm in her
decision. She would bring no debts to
her husband when she married. Ii she |
married Adrian she must reinquish all |
hope of paying her sisters debt, must let |
him do II for her, and she was too proud |
for that. o, to what misery had her foolish |
mothers desire to keep up appearances
brought her! When she appeared at
breakfast with heavy eyes and pale cheeks,
her mother asked the reason, and Eleanor
told her very quietly. In vain did Mrs
Brown urge her to give up her quixotic
idea, and marry Adrian. She was firm.
What was her surprise, when the next day,
Mr.. Sharpley's bill came to her receipted
IN full. She went at once to her mother
to know the reason. II set the case
plainly before Della" said Mrs Brown.
Eleanor went to Della to thank her.
20. let il go, Nelly" said her sister in
her quiet voice. "Marry Mr.. Wanberg,
and don't be so foolish again"
SO when Adrian asked again few DAYS
later that Eleanor would reconsider her
rejection, she delighted him with loving
acceptance of his heart. They were mar
ried very quietly, in spite of Mrs. Browns
desire to keep up appearances. and Adri
ans wealth. They went TO house keep
ing in big, stone house. and took Willie
and Daisy to live with them while Mrs.
Brown went to Della.
1t was four months after her marrige
when Eleanor was surprised at "A state
ment made by her sister.
ii think II only right to tell you now.
Nelly, that | never paid the money to old |
Sharpley. simply told Adrian your rea-
son for rejecting him, and he paid it at
once. | was bound you shouldn't be an
old maid. and lose such chance Just for
foolish idea about being in debt"
Of course it was too late for Eleanor to
be angry then. But when Adrian come
home she kissed him more tenderly than
ever. aud when she told him the reason,
he said he agreed perfectly with Della,
that 1t would have been foolish to allow "A
triiing sum of money to part them for
ever But don't think Eleanor was ever
guilty OF her mothers insane desire to
keep up appearances in spite of poverty
and debt
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