Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-03-21

nov IL wOulu DC pOSStDie LOT her 10 Gu
dure the presence of any one who
would in any way remind her of mans
perfdy and heartlessness.
But if their liyes-her lfe-was to
be invaded by man. Well, after a
time, she grew to be ashamed of her
morbid cowardice Of feeling, and re-
solved, with . stern determination that
was pitiful, that John Pemberton-an
odd. stronghold name it was to her
should not interfere with the duties of
the quiet life she had chosen, and
which, although she was hardly con-
scious of it, was leaving its impress on
her nature.
Nevertheless, the pain-the very
bitterness Of woe-was not removed.
Her fathers death she could, in the Or
dinary healing course Of nature, have
got over. Loss of wealth, position,
and summer friends would. after a
time, have been as q trihe TO her.
But Elmer Westcourt's detection So
long as she lived, it would hurt her
with that keen. sick pain, which some
women do suffer-women with great
purity and trust OF nature, who can no
more imagine deceit and cruelty in one
they love than themselves are capable
Of it. Truly t was her darkest hour
To her. Elmer Westcourt would al
ways be the one who had power to
touch her heart. To her he would al
ways be the beloved. though not the
lover-the one above all others. al.
though unworthy, strangely paradoxi-
cal as it was,
SO Blanche tried her best and BRAY
est TO enter into Mrs. Pemberton's
spirit Of welcome for her son. She
beautified his room, that for more than
year had stood alone in its uuoccu.
pancy. She baked delicious cakes,
and arranged toothsome bills Of fare,
and went through the whole house,
leaving everywhere the impress of her
artistic touch. that delighted Mrs.
Pemberton SO thoroughly.
"John will appreciate it so, bless
his dear heartl Blanche, l never
wanted anything in all my life As |
want nv bov. And do, do Blanche.
make him feel 50, so far as you are
concerned. that you may make him
welcome will you?'
Up in her room. hours after, Blanche
remembered particularly what dear old
Mrs. Pemberton had said about her
contributing her share toward welcom-
ing and pleasing the coming guest,
and as she stood before the glass,
brushing out the long, lustrous hair,
that was full Of sunshine, she thought
how far past the time it was when she
could be pleasure or pride to any
one.
She thought how worn out she had
grown to be, how aged and old-wom-
anish her fierce, ceaseless fight with
fate had left her, and she smiled wear
ily at the idea other being even thought
Of when John Pemberton came.
think Blanche really thought il
was so-that she was worn or faded
when. Instead of her old time radia Mt,
sparkling beauty, she saw sweet,
subdued, serious loveliness, which
others recognized and admired if she
did not.
She had never, in all her flush of
beauty, and wealth. and happiness,
made fairer picture than she looked
that day, after she had dressed for
Mrs. Pemberton's sons home coming.
She wore white, with delicate blue
ribbons, and her lovely hair was piled
high on her head in golden confusion
of hossy puffs, and tender rings, and
flossy braids.
1t seemed strange TO Blanche that
she could not possibly take an interest
in the coming of this gentleman-.he
who, not so very long ago. had so thor
oughly enjoyed Irritation. She won
dered why, in spite of herself. she was
so listlessly indifferent, and honestly
tried to catch the infection of Mrs.
Pemberton's excitement of jov.
The old lady had put on her best
dress-a rich, rustling silk-to do
honor to her sons home coming,
and Blanche thought, as she went into
her parlor. that she had never seen a
sweeter tableau of placid, aged beauty,
and happy old days, than Mrs. Penn.
berton offered. in her lace cap and
gray puffs, and pale face lighted by
such glad eyes,
"How your son ought to worship
such a mother! J" she said, with a
warmly graceful little impulsiveness
a characteristic Of other days. to
which she seldom gave way now
"Mr. Pemberton surely does"
Mrs. Pemberton jumped up from
her chair at the sound of carriage
wheels at the door.
He has come! Oh Blanche But
whatever possessed you to think his
name was Pemberton? Why, John is
my first husbands SOM"
And Blanche slipped out of the back
door as the gentleman came in the
front one-went away upstairs again,
leaving mother and son to the sweet
sacredness Of their glad meeting.
In all her life Blanche had never felt
oo iohCAy 40 III tual u6it lIOuI Sue SDeHt
upstairs, knowing how entirely for
gotten she was. She was not selfish,
either, but it seemed as if all the
trouble she had ever known came surg.
ing its waves of keen remembrance
over her.
She realized as she had never done
before how pitifully alone she was in
the world, and then into the midst of
the narrowing thoughts, the tears that
had left her heart but had not yet
reached her sweet, sad eyes, into the
midst Of the desolation Of her Young
life. came Mrs. Pemberton's voice,
quick, glad, exultant, as she called
from the foot of the stairs -
Blanche, Blanche, do come down
There's mystery can't quite under
sta nd. Come here !"
And Blanche, half smiling at the
kear old lady's pardonable excitement.
went quietly. promptly,to be presented
To her son.