Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-06-18

mirer of her daughter-which had made her
take this cruel stepp 1t was impossible to
knock again and ask il was ridiculous to
stand staring at the door. He turned, de-
scended the steps and walked down the
street.
Before he had gone half way he met a
hated rival, very nice fellow, whom he
had only begun to hate in the last three or
four days, since he had noticed that Miss
Braeegirdle sometimes gave him very charm
ing and encouraging glanees. Capt. For
tescue walked on slowly, and listened for
the confident rat-a-tat-tat of his rival. He
heard it, fingered, and looked back. The
door was opened and the visitor instantly
admitted.
The unhappy man who had been turned
away from the same entrance sighed heavily
and went away down the sunny street, hang
ing his head. He told himself that 1t
would be only fool, or mailman, who
could pretend to misunderstood so plain a
refusal this. Perhaps it was meant kind
ly, he thought and groaned at the thought.
Miss Bracegirdle was no coquette and did
not care to have men offer her their love
when she had no intention of accepting II.
lie was so desperately enamored Of her that
he busled himself in trying 10 see this cruel
cut a. a Kind deed His hopes were gone
hat he could not bear so suddenly to lose
be 'o!. lie determined he would not wor-
~ hvr hy his unwelcomed presence where she
could not easily avoid him, nor permit him
self la be laughed at by his successful rival.
SO he excused himself from certain engage
ments at houses where he knew he should
meet her. lie gave up dancing and took 10
cards instead.
Mamma said Miss Bracegrdie, one
day, doesn't it seem odd that for three
weeks Capt. Fortescue has not called p
''lt does" saws Mrs. Bracegirdle, land
,e,. when | come 10 think of it. We have
not met HIM out anywhere either. He must
be i'll, or more likely he has gone out Of
town. He will call when he comes back"
This she said. noting that her daughter
looked pale and out Of sorts But. secretly.
she was uneasy herself, Capt FOr,escue
had shown signs Of being 80 hot wooer
that il seemed very improbable he would
leave town without a word 10 them. At the
next opportunity she quietly made some in
quire, about him, and learned that Capt.
Fortes cue was neither i'll nor out Of town.
This was bad news. indeed. for Mrs. Brace
girde knew perfectly well that her daugh-
,ers heart was seriously touched; and, as
Capt Fnriescue was perfectly "eiig lble, all
had promised fairly Now that fair promise
was destroyed. There was nothing TO be
done except to tr, by other distractions to
erase the Impressions which Capt Fortescue
had made. Mrs Bracegirde devoted her
self 10 her daughter more iender,y than
ever and the CIR understood her.
Amid all the eaeIy and the many engage
mtuts which came with every day. there
ua, melancholy about the house which
had never been there before. II was i'm
possible for them 10 banlsh il altogether.
E,en Master Harry, cheerful youth d
about ii, became aware of il at last, and de
clared his sister was not "half as Jolly as
she used to be One day. when his mother
and sister were taking a quiet half hour be
fore dressing for dinner, he came into the
room, carving an umbrella.
Il say, mother, this umbrellas been in
the stand for month. The fellow il be
onsed to has forgotten all about it, ex-
pect don't YOU think might have it2"
isn't il YOURS ?" said Mrs. Bracegird!e
Il gave YOU Il silver handled one last year.
20. | lost that long ago" replied the
youth, cooily land | may as well have thi.
instead. Its like mine but ever so much
sweiler. There's a name engraved on i,
bu, could have that scratched out"
LET me see the name said Mrs Brace
gIrdIe She took II and read "For,escu- p
An odd look came over her face. Ste
said nothing for a moment, but seemed
plunged in thought then she rose, and went
dos stairs 10 the dInlng-room. She rang
the bell, and the stern eyed maid appeared
"Ellza, she said, "can YOU remember tie
appearance of that youny man who came one
day and asked for an umbrella lie came
twice, think YOU said. and asked for me
the second time. WiIl YOU describe him II
YOU can z"
"lle vas quite gentleman TO look a,
ma'am,' sad Eliza; "hut this sor, mostly
sie. lsll. and broad shouldered. and mill
iary looking, with blue ewes, very snort
hair, and long, heavy. fair mousrache.''
That will do, EiIza," SAID Mrs. Brace
girdle ",oa can go
\, soon as E.lza had left the room Mrs
braceglrdle sat down and wrote a note.
Then she tore 1t up and wrote another,
which was merel, an informal invitation 10
lunch next day.
NeH sIe td4itu marry down 10 utF.
Harry she said, Il want you to 90 10
Capt For,escues rooms and take ths note
and The umbrella. See him ii YOU possibly
can, and try TO explain about this unhappy
umbrella and that wretched, stupid Eliza.
Then she told Master Harry the story at
which he laughed immensely.
Now, YOU must not laugh, but think how
you can do the thing nicely Harry. You
can manage ii admirably, if you choose. Ii
Is too absurd TO pat on paper. And make
Capt Fortescue promise TO come to lunch,
just TO show he bears no malice"
Harr. put on his best manners and ac-
complished his task we'll, though he felt
much aggrieved at having to give up the
umbrella Capt. Fortescue came to lunch
and this time Eiza admitted him, and
blushed as she did so.-Lonioa World.