Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-03-25

| with but little money and fewer friends. the
younger threw aside her veil, revealing a
sweet little apple blossom of a face, with
eyes like dewy cups of blue bells, and a
wishful mouth.
Charles. Charles Wayne,'
He started at the soft, strangely familiar
voice. Surely it was not little Kate Ber-
rian, with whom he had that firtation-or
was 1t something more than a Irritation p
two years ago. at the Springs, and whose
dried roses were still sccnting with their
weird fragrance the corner of his dressing
box. up stairs
tAh. how plainly the sound Of her voice
brought back the brief episode, with its sun
bright mornings and its delicious purple
twilights, the light touch of Hates hand in
his. and the slight misunderstanding, almost
intangible at first, that widened into such
cruel SEPARATION. with its not vet healed
pangs.l
Miss Berrian, excuse me-but through
your veil
Kate sighed and colored.
Il am not Miss Berrian. am widow
now-Mrs. Ellsworth-and this is my sis
ter. We are very poor. Charles Wayne,
and-l am going to try to open boarding
house.
should like to see the rooms. if YOU
please"
And with this quietly uttered speech.
Kate seemed resolu,ely to put from her all
the old memories and softening associa-
tions, and TO return as j, were. to the dry.
dusty thoroughfare of everyday life. There
were no more pleasant little by-pa,hs for
her-no shadowy hooks, with madrigals of
birds. and sunbeams, and falling waters !;
her feet were on the arid pathway now. and
blistered and wearied though they may be,
there was no help or mercy for them
But. kate-Miss Berrian-I mean Mrs
Ellsworth" s,ammered our hero, "a board
ing house, don't understand; surely YOU
are not"
MY means are quite limited" said the
Young widow, with the softes, shadow of
rose stealing over her cheek. must work
for my daily bread. This house seems well
adapted to the purpose, and-and perhaps
Mr.. Wayne, as We have but few acquaint-
snces in the city. and are strangers here.
YOU could assist US in obtaining few board
ers"
Kate"
You see am cured Of the pride which
was once my besettlng sun | am not too
haughi, to sue humbly for favors now" she
said, smiling, though the rose tint was deep
enins every minute. aud dewy moisture
sparkled on the dropping eye lashes.
WAYNE silently turned. and led the way
up stairs. the Young widow and her sister
following. How passing strange it seemed
Il think | may venture to engage the
house. said Mrs. Ellsworth, timidly-"lt is
a great undertaking; but JEANNE and
stand alone now. and We must rely on our
selves. Can trouble YOU for the landlords
address ?"
Il will see him myself, and bring YOU his
answer. If YOU will tell me where YOU live"
said WAYNE
And Kate wrote the address. blushing as
she did 50 at the pitiful ohscurity Of the
street
Charley tore down the bill with initiate
satisfaction when the two slight figures IN
black had Disappeared locked the door and
rushed franfically round the corner 70 tile
nearest restaurant. II might have been un-
romantic; II might have been lacking in
high-souled ehi,alry; but Charley was but
mortal; he had not eaten since morning
and, a. owen Meredith so aptly observes
Where !, the man that can live without
eating ?"
Thank goodness. the house is let :"
mentally calculated our hero.
That evening Mr. Wayne's card was sent
up To the room IN the shabby tenement
house where Kate Ellsworth sa, at her sew
Ing work. JEANNE was out. but Charley
contrivcd TO survive that disappointment
with equananimity.
You have brought me news of the house :"
said Kate. eagerly. How sweet she looked
in her little widows cap, from beneath
whose stiff border the bright ringlets would
escape like misty spirals Of gold.
Yes" said Charley.
Il can have it ?"
NO. YOU can not, Kate
A shadow Of disappointment came over
the wisriul face
WHY not ?"
Somebody else has taken it. | have
taken it, Kate
You. Mr. Wayne"
.les; and if YOU want to open boarding
house. with me for boarder YOU may have
there as nv wife
The needle dropped from her fingers-the
blue ewes became softly luminous.
''luaIlt>
think We loved each other once, Kate,
before the enyenomed tongue Of slander sep
arated US 50 widely. Let us forge, the past,
and live only in the future now. What do
YOU say, kate?" Will you take the house
in-street ON these terms, myself in
eluded ?"
He had imprisoned both her hands in his,
and was reading every fiuttering change OF
| her countenance.'
"I-Ill think about it," she faltered. Let
go my hand, Charley, please-Jeannie is
coming
| And JEANNE, entering at the same mo-
men:, marvelled much at the carmine bright
ness of her sisters cheek.
Are YOU to take the house, Kate? ?"ques-
toned JEANNE, eagerly, as she laid aside her
| bonnet.
Charles Wavrc tened intently for the
answer. Would it be confirmation of his
hopes, or would it doom him to hopeless old
bachelorhood? And Kate, with downcasl
blue eyes and deepening bloom, answered
s"-l Harpers Bazar.