Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-06-21

Golden Beach; all the arrangements are
made and am going next week. Let us
part friends; you are not angry with me y
mo-" he said, slowly rising to his feet,
and taking the slender brown hand she held
out to him, land until YOU marry some one
else shall think YOU will some time marry
me. You won't take that hope away from
me, there is no one else in my way, is
there ?"
mo one, John" And then they said
good bye, with tears on both the Young fac
es, and went their separate ways home
That night, and for many subsequent
nights, Louisa's pillow was wet with tears.
Since she was thirteen 1t had been consid
cred settled in the two families that she
should marry John Andrews on her twenti-
eth birthday. lie was great favorlte with
her parents, both on account of his fathers
wealth and his steady. industrious habits.
To them, IT seemed grand triumph that the
only son of the richest man in the county,
who might have his choice of wife for
miles around. should choose their daughter
who could bring him nothing but her own
bright self. IL they had known what Louisa
suffering and had suffered for months
past, they would have considered her fit
inmate for an insane asylum. They could
not understand the utter dlssmIlarlty of
/ temperament between the two; and she
dreaded the upbraidings that would be show
| cred upon her when they learned the course
she had taken. But still harder to bear than
that was the feeling OF uncertainty as to the
right of her conduct. Her mother had as
sared her that her doubts and fears were on
y natural and that once married, she would
laugh at her foolish fancies. She had tried
TO believe this at first, but the feeling of re-
pugnance at her marriage had grown strong
er. till, in her passionate moods. death even
would have seemed a relief. She pitied
John, for she knew he loved her truly and
well, but his threat of future wickedness did
\ not trouble her. With keen perception of
| his character, She felt sure his grief would
be of shorter duration than her own. She
I felt shame and modification as she thought
Of the sneers and Iil-natured remarks Of
which she would be the recipient, and clam
orng conscience tormented her till she felt
herself very criminal One drop Of com
fort she found. however. Her sister Eliza
beth talked ,ensibly and encouragingly to
her. NO, many girls would have had the
[ courage to do as YOU have done. You know
how people will talk. and father and mother
to have YOU marry such a good man as John
/ j., but YOU could never be happy with him
( feeling as YOU do, and you have alone right
I TO break ii of"
/ 1T does me good to hear YOU say that
I You must break the news after am gone"
Y We'll, I'LL Try, but keep up good courage
and remember that every back is fitted to
/ It's BURDEN"
al ~ ~ H.. Il,
/ backs once in a while know I'd have
mine lighter" and Louisa kissed her sister
and went away. leaving troubled remem-
hranCe Of her sad face 10 haunt her for many
dav.
4 Tie novelty Of her life at the Beach
House reused her out of her gloomy rehrc-
tion-. She worked hard, but was much in
trrr>ted ID the glimpses Of fashionable lii,
She caught in the dining room. She had
read of such existence in books, had often
dreamed of il when she was a child. but the
reality fascinated her. The darkened din
IN. Lall was beautiful, she thought, with the
long regular lines of snowy tables, glittering
With glass and silver bIushing with ripe Der
rIes, and cool with fresh, dewy lettuce. the
slender goblets holding fancfully folded nap
klns that looked like Gala lilies or white
roses, or anything but common place, badl,
htmned. square pieces Of linen The six
dresses, the flashing jewels and subtle per
fumes. the subdued hum of low. refined
voices, floating among and above the ing
lIng Of the knives and forks and the splash
lng Of ice water-the sounds that somebody
has called "diScordant dining room acou,-
tics, these things gave her keen sense
OF delight. she found il hard to concen-
trate her attention upon details at first. but
persistent observation taught her when lean
lng back slgnitird wish of the lansuid belle
to have her dishes removed and when She
merely needed rest after the eXhaustIng pro-
cess OF eating. and by uuyIelding persev-r-
ancr She succeeded in getting her gouty gen
tltmans tea 70 a satisfactory degree Of
strength and weakness.
One evening when she had been at the
Beach House about three weeks she saw the
cuilcl aud scented head-w alter conducting Il
new group to her table. There was a sweet
faced woman with abundant silver hair,
stately grave man of about thirty-five and a
losely little girl perhaps twelve years old.
Louisa knew from the grand flourish with
which her superior drew out the chairs and
filled the goblets, and, indeed from his con
descenslon in performing these offices him
self Instead of entrustng them to her, that
the party were first class" and she over
heard snatcnes Of their conversation as she
passed in or out.
Il feel sorry that Miss Hawkes. had TO
leave us just now," the lady said ..Alice
was getting interested in her lessons and
am afraid il will be a long time before We
can find good a teacher as she was
Louisa kept thinking of the remark all
day and the thought that first occurred to
her became purpose. Why couldn't she
teach the little girl She knew she was a
very good scholar, having supplemented her
three terms instruction at Hilton Academy
by hard study at home. That afternoon she
leari.ed their location, and having donned
her best dress, modest black alpaca, she
tapped with a beating heart at the door Of
the first corner room up one flight" They
were all in, and Louisa, somewhat confused,
stammered out that she had noticed their
remarks at dinner and had come to apply
for the situation "as governess to the little
girl"
The lady looked surprised, but the gentle
man remarkng that 1T would be a regular
godsend if she could teach Alice" at once
began questioning her.
Louisa was delighted with herself for her
readiness in answering, and mentally re-
turned thanks for her excellent memory that
had proved faithful servant this time.
BY and by the gentleman said, IL think
you will do. | wish Alice to have sure
foundation Of rudimentary knowledge be-
fore she tries her hand at accomplishments
She will not learn music for two wears vet,
ana she knows French enough for the pres
ent."