Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-02-12

So you've come TO take Harris's place
Young scamp he was. He dropped in with
Mat one evening after choir meeting, and
told my wife he'd turn out bad. can look
straight through a fellow like him."
The fact was, as Mrs. Frost distinctly re.
membered, that when Mr.. Harris first came
TO the house her husband had pronounced
him fine young fellow whom 1t was a shame
to spoil by making a minister of; but she
would as soon have thought Of applying a
match TO her kerosene-can as attracting the
attention Of the chcleric captain to any dis
crepancies IN the opinions he expressed, SO
she remained discreetly silent, her patient
face looking shade meeker than before.
Matte came in with the "bite," mince- pie,
apples, bread and milk, and bologna sau-
sage.
Il used 10 keep chunk of bologna in
my pocket when | was bov up in the pilot
house learning he river with old Tom Cor
win, and ike the taste of it yei," said the
captain. filling his capacious mouth. Yes,
sr, followed the river a good many years,
no boat made better time than the City o!
Columbus while was captain but go,
sick Of II. its uneasy life. so | settled
down here in the lumber business. That's
my lumber piled up opposite the church and
You won't tiud a nea,er stock in that line
this side Of Chicago, sir
lie always mouopozed the conversation.
even when people called expressly to sse his
wife OF daughter. and he continued Dragging
about himself and even about Matte, Who
sat quietly BY, until Mr. Liscombe rose.
shook hands all around. and departed.
The days and weeks passed. Mr. Lis
combe drew his pay regularly and kept the
children 10 the school house the allotted
| hours Of the session. but there his useful
ness as an instructor seemed To come 10 All
end
He doesn't know whether he's hearing
Latin or Geography, complained the rector.
The school is going 10 pieces. 4 man IN
love is good for nothing else | wasn't my
self. he added with a smile
"Do YOU think Matte really cares for
h.m p asked his wife.
! Il don'G know; she give. him encourage
ment enough. Ross Arnold is home from
Philadciphia for visit. | heard him ask
10 see her home last night. but she declined.
SAVING she had an engagement with Lis
combe"
Nh Li.combe had heard her, too and ii
that for tso months hsl. tremb!ei in his
heart and on his lips. Bu, his tongue al
waNs refused 10 DO It's Office and 50, to-
night, although he intended to tell her he
( loved her. he found himself saving Were
YOU much acquainted with Harris, Mis-.
Matte used 10 see him at the divinity
school"
VI - Matte removed her hand from his
arm Tor an instant. but only 10 take her
handkerchief from her pocket, and replied.
with sweet emphasis;-
He was very dtferen, person from YOU.
Mr.. Liscombe"
I The tender infection Of her voice gave
him The long solght courage, 40. Miss Mat
4 tsc, he cried determined to say it no. IL he
choked in the attempt, If ,ou onl, knew
What YOU have become -
lark :" Matte turned her head, "I.n't
that ate 81. John calling me ?"
Ns.. IT was she. hutryiug brea,hlessi, to
o,eEtake them. Mr.. Liscombe did no, like
Kate 81. John. She was Naitie's verv m
innate friend, and had interrupted so many
tete-a-ie'rs that hc dreaded the sound OF her
Voice. She sas telegraph operator ana
boarded one door above Capt. Frosts Mat
tie often vent To the office 10 b. company
for her IA the evening, sitting out Of sight
hehind the wire screen until o'clock, when
Kate was relieved from duty by the night
operator.
TIE dass grew warmer and the ice went
out Of tine river. but Il stll heaped up N
great. broken sheets IN the lake, aud i,
might be several days before boa, would
venture through.
4. -. L
said Matte a. they walked home from
church. Mr. Llscombe had been telling her
importan, news he had just received an ap-
pointmenl 10 parish in the eastern part OF
the State. but would not take his departure
until Easter. Only one thought was in hi,
m5ni-tha, he would take her with him to
his nes home. He had never vet declare
hi> passion but her birthday He would
present her with volume Of Teunysun with
such tender passages marked that she could
not help but understand him.
Capt. Frost was out OF town he had gone
up tn the pInrrie- 10 see about some timber
and his wife, taking advantage of MS ab-
>ence. had driven over 10 PLAIN View, vii
lage SIX mile. distant, to spend few day.
with an old friend. leaving Matte to keen
the house aud sleep with her old friend
Kate. Il did not look like very brilliant
celebration of her birthday, but she seemed
unusually animated as she saw tina, every
thing about the house was orderly, and then
went TO the school-house door to speak to
Mr.. Lisconbe. She frequently stopped to
STE If he had the list of hymns or TO tell him
that choir meeting would be half hour
earlier or later than usual TO oblige one o
the girls. But no errsnd of this nature
brought her today. He thought she seemed
agitaled she stepped into the vestibule
and. without waiting for him to speak, .h.
said
Mr.. Liscombe, will you do me great
fayor?'
Il will do anything in the world for YOU. :
he replied earnestly. for once forgetting hi,
ba,hfuiness.
Then will YOU meet me in the church TO-
night at : O'Clock, and not tell single
soul? ?"
In the church a, O'Clock Yes, | will
be there" he said
'.Be sure" she cried almost breathlessly
''don't make any mistake" and moved
away, but turned back TO add Remember
you must not tell any one at ALL
What could it be ? Was she made des-
perate by the news of his approaching de
parture and would tell him that she could
not bear him to leave her :? His gentle hear,
was filed with dismay at the thought oi
causing her pain, but if she only would take
the initiative and say she loved him, how
inexpressibly relieved Mr.. Liscombe would
be-
He was promptly in the church at the
hour she had designated, and, lighting one
small lamp waited quite happy and conf
dent for her to come and bring his fate
\ long, deep steam whistle broke the
quiet of the evening. "A boat has gotten
through the lake." said Mr.. Liscombe. I'M
mediately there was din of shouts and
hurrahs. The first boat through was a grea,
event. and almost the entire populace rushed
from their houses and down to the levee 10
welcome the first break in their long monot-
onous winter. But all the boats on the
Mississippi would not have drawn MIR. Lis
combe from his station in the church. watch
ing to see the door open and the mistress OF
his heart appear. 1t did open-she came,
but to his sudden dismay she was not alone.
Was he mistaken? Could that be tall, hand
some John Harris Close behind came Kate
| - Inhn and a sfrapuar