Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-03-01
stltft storp.
, rouRrErxrm-or FEBRUARY STORY.

4 lDt RIEEN ll-pf y fbHA Aisi 'ich'
About nine o'clock on a January night,
Mr. George Thornton sat at his study ta-
bic. immersed in papers and unpleasant re-
fections. The lamp shone on mass OF
unpaid bills. account books lists. docketed
letters. &C.
Mr. Thornton was a city man, holder
Of many shares, promoter OF many COM
panies. a merchant in a small way, and In
the receipt OF a comfortable income; bu:,
like many men he had experienced sharp
crisis when all his money was locked up
in different securities. This IL was that
made his brow contracted and his face
weary as he searched amid his papers, for
he wanted five thousand dollars, and, tho
worth thousands in securities, he had little
more by him than two or three hundred IN
cash.
His study door opened. and pretty ha-
zel-eyed girl, with golden-brown hair band
ed In braids at the back OF her well-shaptd
head. came in.
Now. papa she said. you positively
must come. The coffee's cold. and Mr..
Rawlins is in the drawng-room.
We'll. Lily said Mr.. Thornton. with a
weary sigh, Il suppose he cares more for
your society than mine
Perhaps So answered the young laly,
with a slight frown: but Don't care for
his society
NO. but hope you will,I.illy.' said her
father. He's very clever. polished ana
agreeable young fellow, and sure to be his
uncle's heir-he's his partner now
Partner with that horrid Mr.. Cray Why
papa that man seems averitable Shyl ock
said Lilly, impetuously.
Yes, muttered her father, and perhaps
| shall find him TO be So
Here there was ring at the bell, and a
! slight blush tinted Miss Thornton's face as
| she heard voice ask il her father was at
| home.
.Ah said Mr.. Thornton, rising and clos
ing his desk, there's Young Leslie. Now
we'll have q rubber. and I'll forget my an
noyances If l can
Tell them to me. papa. dear said his
pretty daughter, coaxingly.
Perhaps WILL said Mr.. Thornton, eva
sively, and went up stairs to the drawing
| room.
The gentlemen who rose to receive hi III
were both fair specimens. Frank Rawlln'
was dark haired, well-dressed and sum
ciently polished. His manners were well
bred. and he was, to a casual observer, ar
eligible for young lady. There was
however, certain hardness about hi
I
dsagreeable ideas of avarice, most repug
nant at his age. He was partner with hi
uncle, as crafty an old money-spnnef a
any within miles of Wall street.
Edgar Leslie. of Somerset House, was
pleasant, CHEEKY. unaffected, blue-eyed
| light-haired Saxon. who worked hard a
his post from ten to four, and lived on tn
salary Of fifteen hundred year. eked ou
by his art criticisms in several weeklies
He had talent for drawing. and real ap
probation of paintings. which made hi
copy eagerly taken by the various ar'
editors, and for which they paid accordin
to . tolerable tariff. He secretly admired
. indeed. was enslaved by Miss Lilly, bu
was diffident. Frank Rawlins, too, Shove
q decided liking for that young lady, an
the two were rather conscious of their RI,
T airy.
Both rose simultaneously, and certsnl
. Franks mariner displayed the most cas-
Edgar blushed little as he took Lilly
: hand. Her father greeted them both Co
n daily, hut with a forced cheerfulness. pa
!. pable to keen observer.
Here, Rawlins.' said he you shall
u Lilly's partner, and Leslie and | will uni
y our forces
|, TO be Miss Thornton's partner is ely
II ium,' said Rawlins, pointedly. while Lesl
looked ssvagely at the innefensive fir
place.
II Lilly. like dutiful daughter, quietly a
|. sented to her fathers arrangement, and u
n game of whist proceeded very smooth
except that Leslie incurred Mr.. Thornton
Is badinsge by playing his trsDps away
y the most reckless manner.
n The rubber finished, Mr.. Thornton ros
and asked his daughter TO sing. addil
p" that Rawlins would accompany her in
duet.
Is Lilly frowned slightly and Leslie stir
\. the fire furiOusly.
= The duet proceeded, and Leslie and |
'' hest kept up conversation rather incoh'
II ent on both sides, though from differt
. causes. They fell ultimately into disc'