Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-02-19
For the Ellsworth American.
. Gladys.
BY FLoSSIE.

Gladys North had been addicted to scrib-
! bling when q child, it being her favorite
amusement, and as she grew older her es-
says at school were always those to win
| the teachers commeudation and the prizes.
! But she was eighteen when she began TO
| put her talent to some use.
She had been happy, peasure-loving
care-free girl but all at once she became
aware of anxious lines 10 her fathers face,
| of little quivering of her mothers lips as
she gazed around the dearly-loved home.
| of omnous meanings in their sadly spoken
| word>-uttered when they thought she
| would not notice. 1t was quite useless
| for her 20 ask their trouble, She soon
| found in their love for her they would
| spare her every pain, but it was ,taken
| Kindness after all
| With happy Inspiration she thought of
| her fathers old fiiend and legal adviser,
TO tell her if her father was in business
difficulties.
Il am afraid that he is" MIR Hartley
answered frankly, with searching look
at the girls re>olute face, But lie is not
| in any immediate danger, indeed, he may
ward it of success! fully He does not like
his partner. and must say his dislike is
well founded. Carton i decidedly not a
IN an - be trusted. But if your father can
keep asharp eye on his acts until he can
b " his interest in the business, he will be
all right-always excepting unforeseen
events, you know"
Gladys went home with grave face
ami that night, alone in her room beside
her opened window, with stars smiling
down upon her, she pondercd over wlat
was to be done, if the worst came t. the
worst, and suddenly the thought of her old
talent for writing came 10 her.
Gould She succeed:
AT least can try" she said at last
taking courage from the cleaning stars.
Not word did she brea he of her pro-
jcCt. but worked in secret behind locked
doors. Fortune favored her, and her first
simple tale brought to her eager fingers
crisp new bank note. 1t was followed by
others a. fast a~ her fertile brain could
work, and people began to wonder who
was the author Of the bright, yet simple
sketches that We're like he breath of the
summer wind The nom de plume told
nothing,i ii was simply Starlight. in mem
Org Of her evening conference with the
stars.
To Gladys the best praise WAS that spok
en- by her parents who were quite unaware
that Gladys had anything TO do with Star
| lght"
The shadow on her fathers brow grew
deeper a. the months went by. He had
not been able to look after Carton effec-
tually aud could see nothing but ruin
ahead He wa, far too honorable q man
t. seek aid from others " hen he could not
clearly see his way TO repay. He could
only wait for the cries-and then
Gladys waited As amxiously Ms he.
ley kept her well Informed, aud she had
condded to him her secret when it be
came success. He faithfully kept silent
regarding her identity with the new writ
came aware Of her object, and the bank
notes were certainly no smaller in conse-
qucnce
One day-rather more than yeav after
Gladys began her labor of love-Mr Hart
ley called for her in his carriage.
My dear" he began, as soon as they
were on their way down town, 1.-The time
has come for action. Your father has just
left me in immediate expectation of final
crash. | cannot tell you how much he de-
serves respect. He refused all nv offer.
Of aid, saying that 1t would probably only
put off, not finally prevent his ruin, ana
while he could now pay his creditors and
only suffer himself, a year later he might
draw Others into the vortex. He will, of
course, gladly accept aid from you, and
| want you to promise to be guided by
me-"
What am | to do:" Gladys asked quiet
ly, though her pale face told how much
she Was moved
Your funds are not quite sufficient and
| want you to take a loan from me. which
you can easily repay by your pen, and at
your leisure. 1t is indeed the only thing
for you to do, but you must keep my share
in the transaction secret. Just say that
you have earned it. and you have done so,
for if you had not proved yourself to be
such resolute, reliable young woman,
with ample resources of your own,
should have found some other way to help
| him"
You are very kind, indeed. Mr.. HIATT
ley. 1t would be quite useless for me to
attempt expressing my gratitude. l will
gladly accept your offer, only help me to
save my father"
As she spoke they drew up before the
bank and Gladys went in to get her funds !;
then they drove rapidly to Mr.. North's
place of business, and Mr.. Hartley, placing
a package in her hand, bade her go in
alone, he would wait for her.
Afterward it seemed like a dream, in
which she walked past the staff of smiling
clerks to her fathers private room and en-
tered. At sight of her bright face Mr.
North arose hurriedly from his desk and
came to meet her.
"Gladys, dear child" he said, making
an effort to return her smile, but failing
miserably. 'Did you wish to see me?
I am very busy" with glance at his
companion. whose complacent greeting
Miss Gladys had almost ignored.
Yes, l know" she answered in clear,
happy tones. "But / am sure you can
spare me a moment. | wish to see you
alone"
Mr.. North gave an apologetic glance at
Mr.. Carton, and that gentleman walked
smiingly out of the room. Not until
Gladys was sure that he was beyond hear.
ing did she speak.
Papa" she said, 'you have wan ted to
know who Starlight is, and have come
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