Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-09-23

don DOUBT
She looked up at John Dare merrily. but
could not interpret the look in his eyes so
taking it for granted that it was an express
sion Of admiration. she pursued the same
strain.
Just fresh from Paris am sure your
wife would like that. Shall try it on for
you ?"
"Wa'al. yes, can tell better how it look :
then. Now it looks just like dish"
There. 1t goes on this way and Josie
pitched the little thing over her rosy iace.
tied the strings in big bow knot and swept
down the length Of the room. "Don't YOU
like it?"
"Wa'al, its kind o purity; bu; its awful
queer; amt it. John ?"
John thus appealed to. could only answer
that he knew nothing in the world about
womens bonnets." and took up his reverie.
whatever II was, just where il was broken
of Blu; looking IDLY in the long mirror op-
posite he saw Josie making signs 10 another
girl. and he soon found that they were anus
ing themselves vastly at the perplexity Of
their customer. He saw. too. that pale.
quiet girl, with smooth brown hair. looked
up from her work indignantly and he rather
saw than heard her say. For shame" and
grow crimson as she spoke.
His own face flushed little as he became
aware that Uncle Abel vas being made the
butt Of their jokes-good Uncle Abel, who
was looking so admiringly at the fabrics in
comprehensive 10 him, his old heart only
full Of the thought how he should make his
presen, worthy Of the patient soul for whom
II was intended.
Then John was greatly perplexed for. as
he said truly, he knew nothing about all that
mysterious and bewildering arrangement Of
dress that he saw every day.
Still he knew tina, Aunt Betsey's spare
locks, ;hinly sprinklcd with gray. were not
dressed in modern style. and he could no;
for the life of HIM see ~hercabout. ON that
dear old head any Of those gipseys or fan
ohons would rest. lie remembered that
long ago Aunt Betsey wont to twist her
hair with the same energy that distinguished
all her movements. and that this operation
resulted in a hard knob at the back of her
head like door handle. which certainly,
would not harmonic with these eapclcss
head dresses.
Jus; a. his brow was overcast with this
thought, the pale girl came near Uncle Abel
her cheek blu,hing as she did so in defiance
of the other girls. holding in her hand a
plain Leghon bonnet, trimmed with violet
ribbon.
She wore n mourning dress. and the plain
brooch at her throat held lock OF gray
hair. Il think TIN. might SUI, YOU. sir"
she said. "lf your wife don't dress her
hair in these fashions, these bonncts would
no; do a, all. This /. rich and plain
aud will cover the back Of the head and
neck"
"Wa'al now. tell me. for have got 50
bothered with these things tha, don't
know one from ,'other. want to get
boune, for Betscy. and | mean to. Now
jes, tell me Il YOU would like your mother
to wear one llk. this ? Oh. beg your par
don. ma'an. | didn't see" and he touched
the sleeve Of her black dress. "l-l-am
.-rry'"
The Young girl brushed off a tear quickly
as she said. Il have no mother now but If
you'll trust me sir. think this viii suit"
She had stood. hitherto, just out OF the
range OF John Dare's vision. and had not
seen him at all. Something in the sound Of
her voice attracted him. perhaps, and when
Uncle Abel called
Here, John Dare" he stepped hastily
enough toward them. The girl thrust the
bonnet into Uncle Abels bands and would
have been out of sight if her dress had no,
caught on one OF the branching stands and
held her fast.
Amy" and John Dare, with hot flush
on his face, caught her hand and so de-
tanned her. Amy Esbert, have ! found you
at las, ?"
The girls face grew white and red BY
turns. and the words she spoke came SO
low and broken that only John could catch
their meaning.
Uncle Abel pushed his spectacles up on
his forehead. still holding the hat in his
hand. looking open mou,hed from one 10 the
other.
Il guess you must have knowed this Young
woman aiore didn't YOU ?" he said but John
Mas too busy with eager questions, and Amy
MAS trembling and flushing as she tried TO
speak calmly. and so his question was unan-
swered- Pretty Josie was dividing her at
tention between new customer and the
strange scene beside her, and between anger
and mortihcation she looked IN no need
of help from rouge, as she tossed her
head. and mutiered various uncourteous re-
marks in regard to THAT Amy Egbert and
her beau"
Uncle Abel held the hat while longer
quite patiently but at last despaired of the
interview being ended, so he coughed and
then sai0:-
III take this bunnit. Twenty dollars
is good deal. Betseys worth it, amt she
John? ?"
John need no, have started so, or said
VERY which wasn't a sensible answer at
oil b,,, lT,nla A al Ia,,.,k.J i,,.ta
self. and said. softly, "Oh, boys will be
bert the direction over twice. too, and felt
quite uneasy lest ii should not arrive at his
hotel in time.
Outside the door John turned to leave
his uncle. and looked as shy as girl, as he
said, Its all right, Uncle Abel. You've found
new bonnet. and I've found a-a-an old
friend
Uncle Abel held his hand fast, and looked
a moment, without speaking, in Johns face
in a wistful way; then said, looking in the
young mans eyes, .she's a motherless girl,
John ?"
"Uncle Abel" and John turned angrily
away, or would have done so if the detain-
ing hand had not held him with grasp
which sixty years bad not weakened. look
here, my boy, meant no offence None of
my blood turn villains" he added proudly
but you see she's young and purity and for
lorn, and maybe, if you see too much of her,
she might get to thinkin' more of you than
would he good for her, and if you amt in
earnest l guess 'twould break her heart
Shake hands with your uncle, my boy, |
mean no harm but l promised Liza when
she was on her dyin' bed that would alus
give you good advice, and the last words
Almost that she spoke, says she, Abel, watch
over my boy"
my dear, kind uncle, thank you-in-
deed do-for all your kindess, but could
not bear to think that you should misjudge
me. l knew Amy long ago, when her pa
rents were both living, and she had all that
wealth could give. l loved her then in
quiet way, but was too poor to tell her So
Then came reyerses and death, and in her
poverty and pride the girl hid herself from
me resolutely until now. She tried to earn
her bread by her accomplishments, but failed,
and gladly took this means to do so. Now,
if can win her for my wife, shall bring
Mrs. John Dare to see you some fine day this
summer-msy l. uncle Abel9"
So they parted, and the passers by little
dreamed Of all that had been said.