The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-02-18

obOiC ONCl W tuC bdDiO oh NhANi w NSAAN
still see the little case lying where Freda had
put it down.
Our first feeling was surprise at seeing the
photograph of young man, having always
supposed Mr.. Morton to have been middle
aged, if not elderly. Indeed, we had in
ferred as much from various little speeches
made by the girls.
We were so absorbed in the contemplation
of the photograph that we did not perceive
Mabels entrance until she stood beside us.
'Oh!" she said, $50 Freda has shown you
that. Is he not a handsome man?"
Every handsome" l said. "What terri
BILE grief his death must have been to Freda. :"
An odd sort of look came over Mabel's
face. people get over such things" she
said after pause.
"Was he fond of Freda?"
Exceedingly fond of her, and she of him.
But here she is" as her step was heard on
the stairs. "Put down that picture, Rose
And Freda came in, dressed for walking
in her coquettish little widows bonnet
"How cool and comfortable you girls look
in your hats!'' she said. think must get
one. too. and leave off this horrid bonnet.
| TIM sure. dear Mr.. Morton would not like me
to get sunburnt. Would he. Mab9"
.eYou know best" said Mabel shortly. 81
certainly think you ought to get the hat,
she added after moment
During the walk, Freda was the gayest of
the gay. laughing and talking incessantly.
As we parted from her at her own door, she
SAID: $50 Mabel tells me you have seen my
husbands picture. What do you think of
| him?"
| muttered some commonplace about the
portrait, in the midst of which Freda sudden
| ly snatched away her hand, which she had
left in mine, and ran into the house.
One day my mother and were sitting at
work in the drawing room, Edmund being
seated, book in hand, in low chair, which
was partly concealed by a couple of tall
palms. Suddenly Hilda burst into the room
in a state of the widest excitement.
Mother, Rose-whom do you think l
have seen just now at the postofficeP Dear
Mr.. Morton"
'Do you mean his ghest?"
81 mean himself in the fesh-asking
where Miss Heath lived. He has pleasant
voice.
But my DEAR" said my mother, didn't
l6 ul6 Dl6 Ol du llluOps, L uCdh N"0
he lost at sea, or anything of that sort"
81 never heard particulars Of his death"
said Hilda considering; 81 believe he was
sailor, so probably he was lost at sea. Any
way, he is Longmede at the present mo-
| ment"
"How do you know it is hep"
"Rose and / once saw his photograph. /
| could not mistake him; he is a striking look
ing man.
"Could this be his brother?'
"Dont you remember Freda once telling
us that she had no people-in-lawP Besides,
| this man has slight scar across his fore
| head, which / also noticed in the photo
graph No, no, it is dear Mr.. Morton. |
| wonder if Freda will be glad to see him!"
she added, significantly.
Then | suddenly remembered Eemund and
glanced in his direction. He was very pale,
and the hand that held his book trembled.
When my mother and Hilda had left the
room he said
"Rose | shall go up to London tonight and
try if the berth that was offered to me on
board the Venetia is still to be had. wrote
refusal yesterday, but by going up to-
night may still secure it.
"Must you go, Edmund?"
81 cannot stay here" he said, ''and think
life would be more endurable at sea than ON
shore Come and help me with my packing,
Rosie, there's good girl
rEdmund went to town that night, in spite
OF his mothers remonstrances, and Hilda
and | remained devoured by curiosity con-
corning Mr.. Morton. We debated as to
whether it would be right to call, but dis
liked intruding.. However, on the third day,
having heard nothing of Mrs. Morton or her
newly found husband, we decided that 1t
would be only kind to call. and were just
setting out when ring came to the door,
and in walked the two sisters, accompanied
by the original of the photograph, the latter
displaying a goodly length of limb in addi-
ton to the handsome bearded head with
we were already familiar. Mrs. Morton was
still in mourning, but she had discarded the
widows bonnet and wore small straw hat
similar to MabePs. My mother went over
to Freda and kissed her affcctionatelo, speak
ing some words of congratulations. aud then,
turning to the stranger, greeted MIN also, ad-
dressing him as Mr.. Morton.
my name is HEATH" he said, in quiet,
well-bred voice; and then Mabel, seeing the
look of blank establishment in my mothers
face, struck in:
"0ur brother, Mrs; Leslie. Just come
home from Australia"
"Your brother! Winnifred, my dear, [
beg your pardon. am sorry for having dis.
tressed you''-fOr Freda was sobbing hys-
terically, with, it seemed to me, more laugh
ter than tears in her voice.
''She is distressed because she is ashamed,
Mrs Leslie" said Mr.. Heath. Il have
come here to-day to insist upon both my sis
tiers making full acknowledgment OF the
deception they have practised upon your
family, and to beg that you Will kindly
make it known to anyone whom it may con-
cern."
Deception
"Winnifred passing herself off as widow.
Not married. Then Mr.. Morton"
is myth. The girls fancied, | believe,
that living alone they would have more free
dom if one of them were widow, and Wlnl-
fred, being already in mourning for my
them homeless, bought widows cap and
called herself Mrs. Morton. The false posi-
ton once assumed was not easily abandoned,
although it led them into more absolute de-
ceit than they. had at all foreseen. They
now wish to explain the matter to, you as
their chief friend in Longmede, and to ask
your pardon for having deceived you"
1.-THE deception has not affected us much"
said my mother. Your sister would nave
been quite as welcome here under her true
name. How did such plan enter your
mind, Winifred-what suggestedsltIto your
at was only on our way through London
that thought of it." said Freda. Mabel
and went into jays to buy hats. and while
owls bonnet on the table, and tried It on.
1t suited me exactly, and Mabel said, What
pity you are not really widow, freda!
You look so nice in weeds, and if you were
we should both be far more independent
than we can be as young ladies' The idea
of pretending to be widow came into my
mind then, and thought it would be good
fun.
mabel did not like it, but made her con-
sent We bought widow cap and bonnet;
we were already in mourning for grand
father, and / determined to call myself Nor
ton. 1t really is my name-Winifred Nor
ton Heath. We talked so much to each 9TH
er about Mr.. Morton that we came half to
believe in him, and to be rather fond OF him.
We did not understand at first how difficult
it would be to keep up the pretense, or low
many lies we should have to tell. l was
many a time longing TO tell you the truth,
but was afraid"
II am sorry you did not. my DEAR" said
mother, grayely. However, that can't be
helped now. Did you expect your broth
err"