McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-07-17


tie Miss Ellison was probably the mod
est little lady she had always appeared,
and taking one of the piazza easy chairs
he sat dreaming of how home-like and
comfortable her cosy room had looked,
how delicate her hands were, and half
unconsciously he reflected on the way
the tiny, slippered foot had peeped
from the muslin ruffie. There was I'M
deniably pleasurable sensation some
where around the heart at the anticipa-
ton of making second call on little
Miss Ellison.
Just then the crack of small pistol
disturbed his meditations. 81 Declare"
he said, "the boys are beginning to eel
citrate already"
How long Mr.. Dinsmore had been
sleeping that night is uncertain, but he
was suddenly awakened by the cry of
'fire!" Springing up he looked from
the window in a direction opposite, and
at quite little distance he saw that the
flames were making rapid Roadway.
Hailing a boy who was passing, he in
quired where the fire was and the boy
called back, "They say it's some wo-
mans house over on Beach street."
In about five minutes, Mr.. Frank
Dinsmore, the wealthy, easy-going
bachelor of forty-two or three, was
hurrying along the village streets
towards the fire. Arriving at Beach
street, his worst fears were realized
little Miss Ellison's pretty tenement was
enveloped in flames, and she was stand
ing watching it, half dressed, a shawl
thrown over her shoulders and the tar
letan-covered bird-cage in her hands.
A loud-voiced woman was just saying
with her crude but genuine kindness:
"You'd better a great sight come to
my house and not stand watching them
plants burn up. faint no use cryin'
over split milk, specially you that's
been that kind to poor folks that doors
enough'll open for you, and 1 sh'd
think, lonesome asyou've been, 'twould
be pleasant like to 60 where there's
folks for change.''
Mr.. Dinsmore was close enough to
see the heartsick look on the pretty
face, and stepping up to her and gently
taking the bird-cage, he said almost in
tone of authority, "Miss Ellison, you
must come home with me Immediately;
my housekeeper will be glad to make
you comfortable, and you look tired
and worm"
She turned like an obedient child,
and taking his proffered arm, he real
lied that she was trembling so violently
it was with difficulty she walked or
spoke.
81 suppose this involves quite loss
for you,'' he said kindly.
eyes," she answered YEARLY, s'but
I'm used to losses, and I'm so thankful
to have saved pickey."
elbow did it come about, I WONDER"
he said half to himself.
"They say fre-cracker lodged on
the root, but it does not signify. shall
have to start again." she said, with a
dreary little laugh, "and do not care
so much for myself, but others will
have to feel my misfortunes of tonight;
that troubles me most"
The housekeeper did make little Miss
Ellison very comfortable for the re-
mainder of the night, but in few
hours it was time to arise, and prepare
as best she could for breakfast. When
she entered the dining room, Mr.. Dins-
more was amused and surprised to see
how differently Miss Ellison looked in
one of the housekeeper's dresses, than
that functionary did herself, for al
though twas ga mile too big for such q
little lady," as kindly Mrs. Keats said,
yet nothing seemed to set ungracefully
on little Miss Ellison's trim figure.
Mr.. Dinsmore had not closed his eyes
since returning from the fire, but during
hours of careful reflection, had about
decided what he should say to his pl city
little guest in the morning.
After breakfast he led the way to the
library. By dint of a few well directed
questions he learned the simple story of
her lonely life, and noticed how I'M
selfishly she regretted not being longer
able to extend to ''poor cousin Frank"
her needed assistance.
"But why not Jet her come and build
up the business for herself, the same as
you had doneP'' he asked.
She looked at him in amazement.
81 must 90 this moment," she said,
rising with a CHEEKY laugh, s'and see
what can do about first building it up
for myself"
"Miss Ellison!"-an expression of
such embarrassment for q moment
swept over MIR. Dinsmore's face, that
without knowing why, little Miss Ell
lison blushed painfully. ''Miss Ell
lison," he repeated, "please remain
seated while l tell you something: 1
am convinced you recently made aslight
mistake which 1 hope will result in
great happiness to us both. You I'M
consciously-mind I say unconsciously
invited me, as supposed to visit and
help you, and what now propose doing
is to simply reverse the style of invita-
ton and beg you will remain here and
help me-"
Little Miss Ellison being utterly in
the dark as to his meaning, there was a
moment of silence.
"You evidently sent me by mistake, "
continued MIR. Dinsmore smiling, s'the
letter intended for your cousin Frank !;
but never mind" he hurried on, 81 re-
peat emphatically what have already
,ro,ooo6. Univ not 1of vOlIr cousin come