Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-12-02
For the Ellsworth american.
Muriel's Party.
Bi FLOssIi

MuTlel came dancing into the room. and
dropping On foors,oo at my feet, crossed
her hands upon my knee. and looking UP a,
me with laughing e,es, exclaimed
"Auniie, have go, sn idea"
"An idea ?" echoed with . smile. That
!, nothing new, my dear. you are al~a.s
having ideas. Wonderfully silly one, too :
som,tIme-."
New auniir. YOU are NOT nice at ell when
YOU say that the gIl answered. trying to
fro"n. bat utterly failing. But really,
this on. - "'os. # you are not. Let's have
a soap bubble party"
What? You viii have 10 explain.
Muriel."
"All night. You knos .e have been
having all sorts of parties thi. fsll and win
Ter. and every one is getting sick of them.
Some Of the girls we're wishing for some
tang new, ana We formed committee 10
think up something. | am the chairman,
and 50 have thought. Viii YOU let mr do
lls' as wish. suntie Please say yes "
Nure +, soft voice and pleading ways could
always make ME consent to ANYTHING she
asked, 50 answered yes"
You are the best, darling, aun,r, in the
world ~ and delighted little hug accom-
panied The words. Then MurieI settled
down again in her seat, and unfolded her
plans for-to use her own words-"a lovely
time" Presently she ran away to consult
her dlgnihed papa about money matters
He was very indulgent, End ii needed little
urging 10 get whatever she wished.
Muriefs mother-my sisler-had died
long ago, when Muriel was only baby. and
Mr.. Blike got me to come and care for his
house and his motherless child, TO whom he
devoted his life. He was always yer, busy,
but, unlike some men. he nearly always
spent his evenings at home with us. and
often took Muriei down to hi, Office 10 STAY
with him during the day She had grown
up TO be pretty, wInsome girl, with ten
der heart and merry. careless disposition.
She was fsyorite in the village smong old
and Young; many a lad worshiped at her
shrine, hut she seemed unconscious Of it and
had a smile for one as much as for anothe r.
But am wandering from my story. and
must return.
The next morning after Mr.. Blake had
gone TO his office, Muriel got her writing
desk and sat down by the window in the
breakfast room. where | occupied low
chair beside my work-hasket. The sun
poured in upon her dainty little head. with its
crown of beautiful hair, which was neither
gold. nor brown. nor red, but rather COM
bination Of ali. and wonderfully bright. We
sat there silently, and the pile of perfumed
notes grew larger and larger. when the door
opened TO admit Fred Browne Muriel
looked up with a smile as he sauntered to
her side.
Are You busy, Muriel am going down
to see Mr. Blake, and thought would call
for you. 1t is fine morning for walk"
"Just wal, moment, please, Fred.
have only few more to write now" an
swered Muriel, and Fred came over to nv
chair and talked idle nonsense until she was
ready.
went to the window and watched them
till they were out of sight. Ny bright little
pet had given her hand and her childish
heart to this Fred Browne, with her fathers
consent, bu, never liked him very we'll.
Not that had anything especial against him,
but he was too much of a swell, and too
careless of the comfort Of others to make q
fl, husband for my tender Muriel.
People called him the village dude, and
he was well named. He wore the lates,
style in clothing. his hair vas always just SC
smooth, he wore all the jewelry that he could
and look decent, and vas seldom seen withou,
bis eye-elass and cane. The elder Brown.
was a man Of considerable means; be he'd
placed his son in good position, and at hi,
death Fred sould inherit the property. Blu,
l would rather see my darling the wife Of ,
man without dollar. if he had good
honest heart, and do not believe Free
Browne will ever possess that.
Muriel came back in . couple Of hours
laden with parcels that she carried up:ts
her room at once, and was busy there nesrl!!
all day.
That evening when my brother-in-lav
came home, be tossed MurieI several let
ters. The child-she vas always child I,