Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-12-02


must know. and she is just splendid. Tall
and stately, and you nigh, think her cold at
first. she is to some, suppose, but never to
me-"
Mr.. Blake looked up interested.
"When is this friend of yours coming,
Muriel,"
Tomorrow, papa. And will tease her
to stay until after the party"
"Aroiher party. my child ?"
"ies, but something new. here, at least.
| read something abou, il one day. Come
and see what am doing" and putting her
hand through his arm she led him away.
did no, pay much attention to Mure's
news. saw that a room was prepared for
the guest, and thought no more about II.
Muriei drove to the station TO meet her
friend. and brought her IN the parlor where
| was sitting. My first impression Of Lillian
Warwick was not very favorable. thought
Of those significant words Of Tenn,son.
"Fsul,ily faul,less, iely regular, splendidIy
nsll"
She vas tall. blonde, naughty, ice itself;
hut her smile was superb. never saw anv-
thing like it. Her gray eyes would high, up.
her red lip. curve daintly. her face soften
beautifully. thought Of Mures words.
"iou may think her cold a, first. but she is
never so 10 me-" ii do not think she ever
was. To Muriel she was like mother; sh.
treated her like a child. and petred her even
more than | did. Muriel wor-hiped her.
and chung to her perssten,l,. Miss War
wick only smiled when demonstrated with
| the child, and drew her closer
Mr.. Blake was also fascinated. and the
two grew intimate. |, with my watchfu
eyes, saw vha, Muriel and even Mr. Bake
we're unconscious OF. Isaw that our CUES,
was gradually filing the vacancy in the
household that my sister had left, and iha,
IN time my child would perhaps have
mother. | was far from blaming Mr. Blake
FOR ! soon grew 10 have high opinion Of
! Miss Warwick, and when Muriel married
and went away he would be lonely with only
me for company. 1t would be better for
him TO have companion. and was not
worried about my own future. / had a com
Portable income. and Murel would always
welcome me 10 her home.
Fred Browne was with us much, and the
three. sometimes four. people had gay times.
Nuriei's party vas not forgotten the girl>
worked so many hours each day. and at .ast
Muriei called me to her room TO see their
work The tables and chairs we're covered
With clay pipes, beautifully decorated by
Nuriel. sk.llful fingers, and Miss War
wick's exquisite taste. The bowl. had liitle
spray, of flowers. and motto painted upon
them, and the stems were tied with ,tny rib
bons. and they managed 10 get MANY differ
ent eolors Two pipe. we're just alike, one
for Iady and the other for a gentleman. ex.
I planned Muriel. and then she ,eased me to
lie, them have some deep dishes Of chotce
ware that | had put ava, IN safety, to use
on the night of III. party.
You see, aun,i-." Muri-l sad. I'VE have
planned to have the bubbles blowing IN he
hall. II i. quite large enough, and much
the bes, place. We are to have some small
table. there. With the bowls Of sud. on them,
and those old bowls are just what We want"
We had managed to throw Vel. Of mvs-
terry o,-r the affair. and every one was eager
10 find out about it. but no one va. told,
and hen the appointed tine came, our
rooms were veil filed. Miss Warwick was
there, ike floating iceherg IN her heavy
white gown, aud beautiful pearls, Every
one spoke Of her and her rare smile when
size talked 10 Muriel, OF Mr. Blake. or my
self
The guests were in the parlors when the
doors into the hall were thrown open. aud
our two servants entered. each bearing
basket Of pipes. One dIslributrd the con-
tents Of her baske, among the ladies. and
the other among the gentlemen: Then it
aas announced:
Ladies and gentlemen, YOU vii please
step into the hall and fnd the party
Such a rush as there sas for the ha !, an
then their curiosity Was satisfied. For the
half hour there was fun indeed. They blew
bubbles Til the air was full of the beautiful.
many eolored balls. and the floor was COW
cred. Some went up on the stars and blew
bubbles down on the heads OF the others;
and there was muth laughter, and now and
then a little scream as one of the balls broke
on some girl. By and by they went in the
psrlor and had music and games, and then
back 10 the hall again. Then the gentlemen
we're told 10 seek the mate to their pipe, and
take the lady TO the dining-Ioom where re-
freshm ents we're served.
Late in the evening Muriel came to me
She was very pale and felt her hand
tremble . she placed IT on my arm.
"Aunte, COME she whispered. and fol-
lowed her TO the library. Opening from
this room was a tiny apartment. fitted up
with low, easy chairs, and a soft divan where
one could lie and read or rest We called
it our "cosy corner" Muriel drew aside
corner Of the curtain and made me look
within the room There on the diyan sat
Miss Warwick, and on his knees before her
was Fred Browne. He was telling her of
his love, and talking Of Mure as simple
child, for whom he never did and never
would care. He pleaded with Miss War
wick to consent to their engagement he
could easily break all lies 10 Muriel, he
said, and they could 60 away for time
when they we're married. Miss Warwick
sat there, calm, cold, scorn ful. When he
paused she spoke.
Il have heard enough, Mr.. Browne, to
convince me that you are false, heartless
scoundrel, uaft to marry any one. DO you
think would be false to my friend who
trusts me, and take her lover fir ON her No,
would scorn myself if did shall let
Muriel know of your conduct 1t is for
tuns,e for her to learn your true nature in
time to save herself. Now you will excuse
me if leave you."