Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-12-08
For the Ellsworth American. |
After Twenty Years.
\ Thanksgiving story.
BY GERTRUDE MAY.

| BY GERTRUDE MAY.
! She did not know that she was a hero
inc. She does not know it now. Sh. does
not stop to think that courage can be of
mental a. well as physical exertion. There
are many like her In this great world Of
ours, people whom we think that We know
well, whose hidden lives hold q simple
grandeur that He alone can see W no reads
the inmost hearts Of men.
Lewis THORN was dead He dropped
out of this life very much as he had lived
in it, and his neighbors spoke of his death
with the same careless indifference that
they had ever treated him while living.
might as well have died years ago for
all the good he's ever done, either TO him
self or for any one else" said one.
He better have died before he put that
mortgage on the little place that's the only
homs his wife and Hazel ever knew" add
ed another, As the two we're discussing the
event in Quaid'- grocery store.
young man stood by the desk seem.
ingly busy with a long row of ledger hg-
ures, but really listening to the converse
tion with painful eagerness. Lou Mayors
was Hazel Thorm's lover. and had been
ever since they were children together.
Three hundred dollars is a big sum for
two women to pay. but Hazel ia smart as
steel trap She'll do It," third voice
said emphatically. and Squire Hsyme, W no
held the aforesaid mortgage, slapped his
knee TO give added Importance to his
words.
What! she amt going TO try that
calculated the frst speaker.
Yes. she is. Old Lewis made her prom.
ise that, and Mrs. THORN will hold her
right 10 it until it is paid" was the tr-
umphant reply Lou Mayors face grew
dark. He could not hope TO pay that
mortgage with his meager salary. and he
and Hazel were to be married at Thanks
giving, although they had KEEP, the fact a
secret The men went out one BY one, and
as soon as IL was time to close the store
Lou put up the shutters with an impatient
bang, locked the door with q click and
TUNED his steps toward Hazels home She
WAS waiting for him where the bridge
crossed the stream. His heart softened
when be saw the dark rings around her
eyes. and the flushed checks which told
plainly of protracted weeping. Ia the
quiet church-ysrd on the opposite hillside
newly made gave told where Mr. THORN
was resting. The lighted windows of the
cottage above them darkened now and
then with the shadow of his lonely wife,
as she paced restlessly back and forth
awaiting the result OF Hazel's interview
with her lover.
"Weli!" Lou's voice was hard and
strained and he did not offer his usual ca
ress.
1T is not well, Lou" she burst out, and
there was pitiful sob in her young voice
Did you know that father had mortgaged
the home to Squire Hayme?"
Yes" The word fell short and curt
from his set lips.
And that that he said must pay it?
1t is three hundred dollars" she fsltered.
More than the whole place is worth
Better let 1t CO." was Louis comment
"Oh, no, | cannot do that. The orchard
will pay more than that every year when 1t
gets to bearing nicely. But with the pou-
try and the bees | hope to clear the debt
before" she asserted timidly.
Then you are determined to pay iti"
Lou's voice WAS cold and stern.
"Yes-why. what else can | do? l
promised father just before he died, you
know, and-and death-bed promises"-she
faltered and paused questioningly.
Il know all Of that talk about promises
to the dying" he answered brutally, but
your father had no right 70 ask it of you,
and you have no right to fulfil it. Why,
you are almost my wife. Do you owe me
nothing?"
Was this her Louf Could any love light
ever soften the angry eyes that fell before
her surprised. reproachful gaze? Il know
Lou she answered softly, wave Of Grim
son flushing her face only to leave it paler
wife yet, and am my fathers child We
our wedding must be postponed"
Just like q woman" he cried hotly.
"Have you no regard for my feelings7 Am
not to be consuited7 Why Hazel. I've
| loved you ever since / could speak your
| name. l can buy that little new cottage
near the store on the installment payment
| plan. We shall have to reckon the cents
| for awhile but well have q home before
| we know it almost, and one better than
the old one, too. Leave this mad scheme
of paying mortgages. Let the place go,
and help me make q home nest, dearest?'
The love light chased away the angry
shadows in LOUIS eyes, and their pleading
was very hard to withstand. The girl ST.
lently watched the shadows deepen in
the quiet stream, and wondered numbly
if life could bring her another hour more
frsught with heart pain. But she was
firm and the end Of the stormy interview
was soon reached.
Lou Mayors went away in q rage, and
Hazel watched him 60. when word would
have recalled him. Then she slowly
walked up the hill to the cottage where
| her mothers form made q dark shadow,
as she watched at the window.
She looked up inquiringly when Hazel
| entered.
| .It is all over. mother" the girl said
coming straight to the front. 1.-THE wed
ding is postponed forever"
"Oh, the selHshness of mani" cried Mrs.
Thorn, dramatically.
IL don't know as blame him so muc
answered loyal Hazel, with . weary sig a.
Paying the mortgage and living will bt
hard work, mother. 1t may take me yeart
10 do it.
THAT makes no odds. If he loved
you" but she, went no further; she hat
no listener, for her daughter left the room
abruptly.
From that dsy , sad dignity took tn