Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-06-17

ed decided offer OF marriage, and not be-
ing able To get il she took refuge in a STRAIT
agem. This consisted in suddenly making
the discovery that Mrs Johnson's health
was in absolute want of some German
waters-in fact, she decided tina, it was
quite dangerous for her to spend the spring
in England. with all the change of heat and
cold. The old lady was therefore soon per-
suaded to yield to such tender solicitude and
away the couple went, leaving Mr. James
Fox in a rather awkward dilemma What
was he TO do? II he wrote cool letters to
Miss Nelly she would be offended, and all
his chances would be lost in the event of her
inheriting Mrs. Johnsons property on the
other hand, II he played the part Of lover,
he committed himself. and gave her the ma
terials for breach-of promise case should
the good lady die when his name only fig
ured IN her will, and should he then turn MS
attentions to Miss Laquerton. What, then,
could he do !?
The worthy Fox was bafiied for the mo
ment, but after deep dehberaton he hit up
on great idea which his chemical studies
suggested 10 him. Chucklng to himself. he
went to a chemists shop, purchased several
/ drugs and mixed and remixed them Till
magnificent black ink was produced. which
had the grand advantage that in about ten
days after being committed to paper it
would fade away, without leaving the slight
est trace. Emboldened by the happy re-
suits OF his experiments. he became al once
the most tender and zealou. correspondent
any woman could wish for His letters. IN
fact overtowed with promises Of everlasting
devotion. Miss Nelly beam.d with JOY. for
hp no a,I
1 selfish was the attachment OF her admlrer.
} ncer such circumstances il was not sur
/ prlslng that the German waters speedily did
! Mrs. johnson so much good that her care
/ tu nurse considered that the cure could be
shortened. and accordingly the couple re-
turned to Eng land much earlier than had
I been expected.
4 Whether. however the waters had really
disagreed with the old lady, or something
+ else had upset her. was never quit. clear.
+ but soon after returning 10 England her
! health and strength began seriously 10 faii.
! She complained bitterly that Miss Nelly had
/ Induced her to undertake an unnccessars
and useless journey and ever since she had
/ neglected her altogether. The end of It
/ was that one day, IN the height Of her anger.
she burnt the then existing viii, aud made
(
( possessed, This decision seemed to have
exhausted her remaining energy, for she
! died not many DAYS after.
/ Mf. FOX, who had been appraised Of the
state Of affairs by his partner and friend,
/ almost lost his senses, stul h.s excitement
/ did not prevent hm from investing soma
money IN ha; band, and Grape, and looking
I a mougnfui a. # the sorrow Of the whole
{ too, melted assy in tears aud could only he
oomiorled By her jamie, a. she nov called
Mr.. Fox But the latter seemed 10 have
turned quite dul. with grlef. He did no,
appear TO understand her at all. and. as day
by dsy She became more d-monstrailye, he
grew ie.s sifec;.ona;e. The afternoon be-
fore the funeral Miss Nelly Was extremely
broken-he ear;ed. and smld her sobs remarked
how comfortable and happy She had always
7 been with her late friend. 10 her aston,.h-
ment Mr.. Fox attempted 10 comfot. her By
saying. with cool civ,liy. Il hope you ma,
soon meet again with such happy hoin. as
You have had here iili now"
On hearing this. Miss Nei!,'s tears .ud-
denl, dried up. and with eyes d..ated With
aslonishment and anger, she cried Il, IS
You whom | expect 10 make me ,hls happy
home -
Mr. Fox, however. simpl, shrugged has
shoulders. saying IL do no, deny tha,
may have once had such idea. but q late
have grown wiser Everything alter, N
this world why, then should our opinions
not do the same That is uha; We ca.l
progress
( Upon thi. he bowed and lei, Miss Nelly
/ crying and fainting in an arm chair
( lie did not hear ANYTHING Of her till few
days later, when gentleman called upon
him saying that he had been lu,rustcd with
Miss Nelly Brown. affairs, and sugge.ting
tina, perhaps Mr.. Fox. before the, ven, fur-
4 ther, would prefer making some private ar
rangemen, abou, his breach Of promise Of
I marriage with his client.
And what proof Of that promise la, Mis-
/ Brown except her saying 50 ?" asked Mr
Fox
"Oh," answered the young man. Il have
seen box Of letters from you"
4 Have you read them ?" continued Mr..
Fox ssrcasticalty.
Not Yet. replied the other; "bu, have
seen the box"
We'll, YOU had better 70 and read them
first before YOU take any further steps, and
II you can find a single line from me to Miss
Brown, | am quite willing 10 let her have
, ample damages without their being awarded
+ BY court OF law"
There was something so dlaboi!cal about
I Mr.. Fox that the Young defender Of innO-
cence found 1t best to retire for the present.
leaving his opponent TO rub his hands tn
umphanrly and build castles IN the a!r about
the country seat and the horses and car
rlages he was going 10 buy in order TO daz-
zIe Miss Laquerton, whom he felt Justified
IN seriously thinking about now.
Miss Nelly had meanwhile been informed
of the conversation at Mr.. Fox's office. aud.
with an indignant exclamation about such
( incredible untruths," she went TO fetch her
/ letter box. There, sure enough, were the
I letters, all in little packets, neail, lied up
with blue and pink ribbons but strange to
say, she could not see an address; and, oh
heavens when she undid the packets they
contained nothing but paper-sll white pa
per. without single word on it. The willy
lawyer had evidently deceived her BY some
demoniacal trick.
The shock was so great to the poor love
sick lady that she had scarcely the courage
TO show herself when the will was to be
read but she rallied al last, hoping against
hope that il might still be in her favor,
when she could treat with scorn and con-
tempt her talthless lover and his patry
damages.
MIR. Fox, although he considered himself
already master of the house and everything
in it, felt considerably excited on the morn
ing Of the day appointed for reading the
will, and when Mr.. Piumley as chief
executor, sat down and slowly got hl,
.pectacles out, his junior partner became
so faint and his heart futtered to such an
extent that be fsnced all his hopes and
beautiful castles in the air were crumblng
away as in dream. Why did not his old
friend at once read the document Why did
he make the suspense so long Why did he
continue to stare FIRST at the paper in his
hand, then at those around him, and then
once more at the paper without uttering a
single word ; and then at last, when be did
speak. why did he stsmmer, 81 L do not
know; see nothing-in fact, it is the same
paper but--?"
Could it be ? Yes. sure enough there was
the paper on which the will had been made
out, but there was nothing upon it now; it
was merely blank, white sheet.
Good heavens With what ink did YOU
write out this will ?" burst out al last Mr..
Fox.
"Wi,h what ink ?" repeated the old gentle
man INDIGNANTLY Huitb your ;pL A.