Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1884-12-11

ue IeaTeu II the morse piunkeu oack upon
his launches, his fine ears stood erect. his
clean-cut limbs trembled, then with one
bound he sped along, grazing the white
phantom in the road. and disappearing in
cloud OF dust. Mr.. Morton clung to the
reins, and Kitty clung to Mr.. Morton.
Mr.. Morton knew nov that nothing could
save them. A few mnutes-four at the
furthest-and all would be over The gully
just below the Comstock farm was a blank
and dreary place, well fitted for the tragedy.
He remembered chestnut tree that hung
desoate and bare over its brink, and broken
rocks and black pools Of stagnant water lay
below. In these few seconds, that seemed
parenthesis between time and eternity, a
whole lifetime passed in regret and retro
spection. To get rid of the reproachfui
eyes Of Madeline, Mr.. Morton shut his own;
but kitty's whole heart went out in PRAYER
TO Joe-which was answered right on the
brink Of the gully BY the melancholy shad-
ow of Joe himself, that clutched at the head
Of the horse, was dragged onward step or
two, then pulled aside, and finally was left
victor, the beast quite subdued now and
trembling, in a la,her Of foam. Mr.. Morton
was trembling as well as the .0east, and it
was difficult for him to quite understand the
exact tenor Of the scene before him. Kitty
lay white and limp in Joe Comstock's arms :;
her hands were clasped about his neck her
hat was gone long ag), and her curly hair
was all tumbled about her face, which was
still as white as the accursed bowlder before
her mothers door f; and once in while she
sobbed out "Joe dear joe and Joe
soothed her. and held her closer. and muir
"a l. .,,.. III,
low light Of the waning November day catch
ing the diamond again, it CLEANED upon
kEty's finger, that lay caresslngly upon the
sturdy neck of Joe Comstock and presently
the little hand shifted about, and Kitty saw
the gem too, and slipped down from the
arms Of Joe, and slipping, too, the ring from
her finger, she held it out to Mr.. Morton
with that same shy. sad, subdued and al
together irreproachable expression that he
had admired a few miserable moments
since.
Keep il, Kitty" said Mr.. Morton keep
1t in any case. You'll allow her 10 accept
this little present, won't you. Joe ?"
"If It's all the same, I'd as lief she didn't"
said Joe with honest simplicity.
And am glad Kitty didn't get the ring :;
she could well do without it, and there was
a slim and tapering finger far away that had
grown simmer and more tsptrIng for the
want Of this gem. The night Of the acci
dent il lay listlessly in the lap Of Miss Van
Nleet. and il did not seem from the apathy
Of her face and manner, that any such thing
could induce her to lift that fair traii finger.
The bell rang, but hope had cheated her so
often that not hair Of her head or 4 mus
Gle moved in response. She had ceased to
expect the visitor she coveted. and all
others were Indifferent TO her.
Il am so glad" said voice. "to find you
alone, Madeline"
The voice was so tender il made her hear,
beat, although she knew how deceptive that
tenderness might be. How sweet It was,
nevertheless
Another organ began to thump in the
room above, and the mild mahogany of Mrs
Van Nleet's complexion deepened with ankle
y and suspense as the important moments
wore away. At last the light step Of her
daughter was at the door, and Madeline,
face told the story. 1t was radiant with
joy.
Has he spoken ." said her mother, in
husky whisper. Great heaven has lie in
deed spoken ?"
YES, mamma" said Madeline, TOYING
;enderly with a hrillian, gem upon her fin
ger.
Thank God :" said Mrs Van Vleet, de-
voutly. Then will Immediately accept
the coonel's invitation for Thanksgiving"
And BY the hokey :" said old Joe Com
ztoca, "we'll have a Thank 'svin' yet. I'm
blrst il ,ha, there boy o mine didn't "a,
las, night, 'Pappy,' sez be, well begin a
fence down by that there gully, and drain
the hull marsh by this time next year and
Jest nodded, for couldn't speak when
found tina, there Western scheme o his had
gone TO thunder; and, gentlemen, I'm open
10 a treat all around; but ask il in all
honest, what is Thankgiv il there amt
nothin' to be thankful for ."