Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-04-02

"Tired9 No." answers Madge brightly.
But, oh. Mrs. Erstein, have had an ad-
venture."
IAN adventure?" echoes Mrs. Erstein.
smiling at the excitement in the girls
tone
"Yes, a real adventure all to myself.
was coming home slowly, because | could
not miss seeing the sunset, and | was so
busy with my thoughts that did not nc
tice anything behind me, but all at once
became aware of the sound Of hoofs and
there was horse just upon me. | was
so frightened just screamed and sprang
aside as the horse swerved away from
me-"
why, Madge, what narrow escape.
WAS it not? But the best part follow
ed. heard some one exclaim in quite as
alarmed tones as | used, am sure, and
then the horse was pulled up hastily and
the rider got down. Oh. Mrs. Erstcin, |
cannot describe the profound bow he made
me. He made profuse apologies for his
carelessness, and then he walked with me
all the way home. He is staying at this
hotel and bis name is Cameron"
Madge, careless Madge, is startled.
Mrs. Erstein half rises from her chair and
then sinks back, her white hands claspng
themselves tightly, her breath labored for
an instant.
why Mrs. Ersten. are you illf"
mo. oh no. Go on, Madge, This gen
tleman, isis he young, child?"
Yes young and handsome Do you not
agree with me that it was quite an sdven-
ture?"
Yes, Madge, and judging from your
tones pleasant one. All, well. it is past,
like everything else that is nice. viii you
ring for lights dear?"
Madge Elton, under the light of the
lamps. is small. Slender. sunny Little
Sunbeam" Mrs. Erstein playfuly calls
her. Her hair is Of an indeScribable hue,
composed as it is of different shades and
streak- OF color. Here it is darker, there
it is golden as the sunlight and it clus-
tcrs around her brow in dainty curls. Her
eyes are sunny. her lips curve in be-
witchng smile Her skin is fair but a
row Of frcckleS crosses her tip-tilted nose.
\ frowu is quite absurd on her fair face,
but pointing comes a. readily 10 those
cherry lips. As ,the laughter does to her
eyes She is thoroughly child yet, and
4
dian, thinks she will never be anything
else. She Chatters away over their tea.
not noticing that Mrs. Ersten replies only
in onosylable~, ami merely toys with the
food before her. Later Madge Is at the
piano She plays with unwonted vigor
for while. then. restless little body that
she is. suddenly ceases and exclaim~:
"Oh, Mrs. Erstein. do you suppose |
shall ever see my handsome stranger
again."
With the words upon her lips she whirls
about 10 find the room empty. The win
dow is swinging wide, and Madge, famil-
lar with her friends ways, knows that She
is having a solitary hour on the moonlit
balcony She longs TO run out after her,
but Kindness prevents, so She contents
herself with taking siIkenfurred kitten
in her arms, and curling up in the big easy
chair, fails fast asleep.
A few minutes later there are footsteps
IN the hall, the door opens and Simpson
announces "Mr. Cameron" that young
gentleman stands within the room. gazing
ed, Sleeping maiden.
II beg your pardon
He turns swiftly toward the direction Of
the voice and sees lady standing near the
open window through which she has evil
IDENTIFY entered.
1t is who must ask pardon" he said
with a low bow, coloring little under her
earnest gaze, For venturing to intrude
upon you. but was so unfortunate as to
nearly run over this young lady to-day,
and | wished to assure myself that the
fright had not made her ILL.,"
Thank you, Madge was not at all dis
turbed. She told me about it, Mr."
Cameron, Lionel Cameron, F" he hasten
ed to say.
"Ah-thank you. Will you not 81,
down? Madge, Madge."
The girl opens her eyes. putting up one
hand TO hide yawn, and meeting the eyes
of her handsome stranger, she colors
warmly at being caught in such plight,
and rises hastily, disturbing the sleek
kitten who news discontentedly. Mrs.
her.
"Madge, dear, you have not forgotten
the gentleman of whom you told me, Mr..
Cameron"
And then Madge, herself once more,
holds out her hand to Mr.. Cameron,
answering his kindly words of inquiry
readily.
His call is not lengthy one, but he OBJ
tains an invitation to come and see them
" hen he has nothing better to do from
Mrs. Ersten who is favorably impressed
by his frank countenance and pleasant
ways.
And it happens that he has nothing
better to do" rather often, and he is an
inmate of Mrs. Ersteins pleasant sitting
room more frequently than he is seen any
where else.
As he was travelling by himself for
Measure and Mrs Erstpin and Madoe
were only attended by their staid respecta-
BILE servant, he began to accompany them
on their excursions about the quaint old
city, and was almost Zone of them" But
the ladies grew tired of that place and
went on. To Mrs. Erstein's real, and
Madge's professed surprise, Mr.. Cameron
joined them in day or two, and after
that wherever they went he accompanied
them. Mrs. Erstein sometimes wondered if
she was doing right in allowing the init
macy, but Madge was such child, and
Lionel seemed so much older that she
scarcely thought harm could result. And
beside, the young man treated Madge too
much like an elder brother for her to fall
in love with him.
But Madge, saucy, merry, little Madge,
knew very well what attraction Lionel
Cameron found to keep him so constantly
at their side, though she took care that he
should not suspect how much pleasure it
was to her to be in his society, and she
h.,