Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-11-19
For the Ellsworth American. 1
The Tawny Mustache,
BN GERTRUDE MAY.


BY GERTRUDE MAY.
She saw him first on the corner of Main
and State streets. THIS is how it hap
pvued. 1t was in heavy snow storm she
was in the cutter with Della Allen, and
was driving They were dashing around
the corner. he crossing the street. The
wind was blowing the snow into her face
IN binding fashion, so she did not see
him. until her horse was stopped by
strong hand on the bride.
II was done 80 suddenly it almost threw
Della and herself from the seat. She had
come Very near running over him. OF
course it was her place to beg pardon; but,
Instead, she flashed an angry glance at
him, for having presumed to lay hand on
her horse. and saw heavily built gentle
man, whose great coat and fur cap were
completely white with snow He still had
his hand on the bride as If waiting for her
to speak; as she did not DO so, he coolly
twirled his tawny mustache with the hand
accepted - then walked on. The horse
a. suddenly released as he had been stopped
dashed ahead at furious rate and she did
not succeed in getting him under control
and broken into an even tro,, until they
struck Delaware Avenue. Then, for the
first time the two girlS locked at each
other. did you every know such impu
dence?" Her checks were brilliant, her
eyes flashing with the excitement of tam
ing her uuruly horse. He came near be-
ing our death" gasped Della, looking as
If she was going to faint.
Il should actually enjoy running over
sucn man" said May, to whom the lin
pudeI ce' seemed the all absorbing theme
How We did dash around those cor
ners, and Delia's voice trembled
Il don't feel as if could go home with
out giving it to him." said May
Il remembered every lib | ever told"
from Della.
Il should know him anyw here; he had
tawny mustache." from May, and sne
the cool manner in which he had twired
said mustache made her warm.
20, dear, expected fully to be laid out
in my new white six"
There is no knowing how long they
woull have continued this random conyer-
sation, each enlarging on her own thought,
without paying the slightest attention to
the Other If it had not been for the last
remark of Della.
May heard it and laughed. ''On the
whole, Del, it is a pity didn't let Dandy
take his course, Ne could have gone out OF
this world in style. Had ey's party would
of course have been given up, and | would
have made last dying request to be buried
in my gorgeous new pink silk. Wouldn't
| have cut a gay figure in my cotfin?'
20, May, How can you talk so reck-
and the little color that had come into
Delia'> face receded May laughed.
"WLy, Del, is pink silk any more wick
ed than white: Besides, you silly little
thing, we weren't near our death Dandy
wouldn't have dared kill me.
Why. asked Della
because he knew very well that if he
did, on my way up would dispatch mes
sage down below, for his Satanic majesty
to kindly send handful of small imps to
haunt his stall, and mix sulphur and pow
! dered birthstone with his oats" There
was a mischievous twinkle in her black
eyes, though she spoke in her gravest
tones.
May Hamlin, how can you:" At that
moment she drew rein before Mr. Aliens
house. May saw the girl safely on the side
walk, then said, Never mind, Dellie, when
Lent comes you will see how good can
be-" and drove on, while Della went into
the house, saying to herself, Il wonder
what makes May Hamlin so ironical? She
turns everything into sarcasm, and is full
as wild as Dandy"
The next time she saw him was at Had
ley's grand party on Delaware Avenue.
| She was robed in that gorgeous new
suited her marked brilliant style; one
would have singled her out the instant cne
entered the room. She was, as usual,
holding levee; the center Of group of
gentlemen made up partly of exquisites
who live on the froth Of life, and partly
of sensible, dignifed men, all held by the
charm of her conversation. She was Wit
ty and sarcastic; she made them first
laugh, then think. 1t was wonderful how
many home-thrusts this girl covered with
the guise of fun and irony. Her voice
was low, cultivated. and never changed
its soft, musical utterance, no matter how
animated or discordant her theme. lie
was standing outside the circle, apparent
ly giving unbroken attention to the insipd
platitudes of the belle. His organs of
hearing must have been remarkably keen,
for he answered correctly every time, and
yet heard every word that passed in the
circle. At length glancing up she caught
his eye. The recognition was instantane-
Gus. Her face flushed. He cooly twirled
his tawny mustache, and contradicted
some tlifiing remark of the beauty who
looked at him in blank amaze. At that
moment one of Strauss waltzes fioated
through the rooms. He abruptly ex-
cused himself to his astonished compan-
ion who had been counting on his asking
her to dance; saying, as he did not waltz
himself, he might be the means of pre-
venting her.
As the dancers began to sway through
the rooms, he sauntered to the conserva-
tory. Fannie Hadley saw him 60 and fol-
lowed him. He was their guest thus it
WAS her right, and the most casual Oh.