The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-01-29

1t was Harry Endicott's voice, and the
words were addressed to the depot MASTER
as ne ran up the steps, not seeing Inc rany;
ing his hat as he caught sight OF her, But IN
an instant he recognized her.
Miss Bancroft was his amazed exclama-
ton, arr
yes she said, laughing. Il am glad
you have not forgotten me. Pernaps you
would like to know why am here;
81 certainly should, be replied for sup
posed you. to be settled in Saratoga LOT the
summer.
my trunk and had parted company on the
way AS l found yours in place OF 1t came
to bring it to you, and there It is;
The old man looked mystifed and shook
his head, but the younger people ete evdloenty
81 cannot return to Saratoga before to-
morrow" she resumed. took it for grant,
ed l could find accommodations at the hotel
here"
ened to explain: ''but 1 am sure they can
give you room at the farmhouse where my
self and chum are staying, Your baggage
will be there in season this time," he added
with another burst of laughter, ana oHerlng
her his arm they walked OFF together.
Dodge, standing in the doorway, was not
a little surprised to see his friend return
chatting with lady.
y have not only found our .d trunks Ks ne
explained, as ne uTeW uSdIcI, tuC OMu-
er of the other one. Miss Bancroft, allow
me to present my friend, Mr.. Dodge"
There was room enough and to spare un..
der the farmers hospitable roof, but TWO OF
his city guests lay awake for long hours, oc-
cupied with perplexed, but pleasant thougnts'
Miss Bancroft seemed to be aroused TO
newness of life, as she rose the next morn
ing in the still, sweet country air, pulslng
with bird-song and fragrant with a thous-
and odors. She was not at all tired from
1a,. Sortr inr nf hafOrQ
Wheeler's medicine is certainly helping me,
she thought, although previously she had no.
ticed no particular Improvement, There was
almost flush in her cheeks as she prepared
for breakfast, reminding her of her looks
before balls, late hours and fashionable liv-
ing had blanched her cheeks and lips.
Il am glad to see you looking so well this
morning, Miss Bancroft" This was Endl-
colts greeting, as he met her in her exqul-
site lilac morning dress, at the homely break
fast table.
Il Should like to stay here for weeks" she
said, rapturously, as they seated themselves.
Il have not been in such delicious country
since / was a child" =.
'sIf YOU would accept our country ways
and country fare, Miss, we could keep you
as long as you choose to stay"
She glanced at Mr.. Endicott. His eyes were
alight, and she trembled, her cheeks flush
ing still more, as she said, turning her eyes
out of doors.
''Then / will write to my father and tell |
him have come; and l will stay week,
any way"
Mr.. Dodge evidently tried hard to make |
the best of situation which he could not |
enjoy.
fDo you think you have made a fair esx- |
change?'' he asked her. as he unpacked in |
the hall and showed her the contents of the
trunk she had brought from Saratoga: Rub |
Der boots, rubber blankets, flannel suits, am |
uniton, knives, nets, fish hooks, old hats. |
She looked at them with greater interest than |
she had felt in anything for months, and |
asked innumerable questions concerning |
their uses and properties.
Il wish was a man," she said energetl- |
cally, land could camp out too"
But somehow it happened that the trips |
the young men had planned were shortened |
and modified, so as to include moderate dis |
tances, and the lady was invited to accompa- |
ny them Dressed in stout gingham dress |
belonging to her hostess, and q broad garden /
hat she was equipped Tor the etk2sditl snS
the color in her face seemed permanent |
restoration. 1t was not the medicine, she |
concluded, but the fine country air, which |
she found was making new woman OF her, 7
mentally as well as physically.
But in ten days came letter from New |
York, in the envelope of the firm, yet IN |
strange handwriting,
''YOur father is not quite we'll" it said. |
HE has had several fainting fits in the Of
fee, and been obliged to leave business for |
little while. He wishes Mr.. Endicott to re- |
turn at once. Do not be alarmed at what |
have written-"butp poor Louise Bancroft |
never read the rest, nor saw the signature
which the old book-keeper added with many
fiourishes, Robert Brown She turned
toward Mr.. Endicott with eyes blinded with
tears, and thrust the letter upon him. "Oh, |
my poor fatherr she moaned, and she |
stretched out her hands helplessly He |
ham in, 10 70 20 tondor q c a !
.'Louise-Miss Bancroft he stammered, |
try to bear it for his sake He needs you,
to be strong now more than ever, we VIII
go to him at once;" and few hours later
they stood together by his bedside
The worst was over before they eeached |
him. He had suffered much, but was quiet |
during those few hours which remained to
him. He talked quietly with his superlnten-
dent, concerning the business which he was.
to leave. 'I'ye tried hard to pull through
he said, pathetically ''but it was no use. Sell
everything, Endicott, only see that my debts.
are paid to the penny. Louise Will have
everything that is left.
the agonized girl, as she realized few min
utes after that her father had gone. II have
lost hina--I have nothing left she cried.
SIS my life-my love, nothing to you,
Louise for they are both YOURS as long as
There was no answer from the stricken
woman to whom he spoke, but she held out
her hands to him as she had done once be-
fore, and this time he held them and her close
to his heart.
Louise Bancroft did not marry rich man,
after ALL 1t did not ''seem to be expected OF
her," after it was found that the payment OF
her fathers debts found her penniless.
Every year she goes with her husband to a
little red farm house among the hills. His
friend Dodge has gone abroad, but in his
place they take poor Bob Brown. and
Harry Endicott, his partner in the new foun-
dry they have just started, gives him gun
ming and fishing to his hearts content. There
are many things besides vacations worth
working and waiting for