Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-01-07
the open window. it is little she notices

| the beauty OF the June day.
| Two months ago she was the petted, in
dulgent ward and adopted child Of
wealthy old gentleman; to-day, a nobody,
with dreary future before her. For old
| Mr.. Darlington was dead passing away sud-
| denly, and the child he had cared for so
| tenderly was homeless. Mr.. Carringtons
brothers children, and they inherited his
| wealth
Just now they were in Europe, but had
| been communicated with, and had written
a brief reply to the solicitors. 1t was lying
on the table beside the girl. and she takes
1t up to read second time. Very concise
| and business-like 1t is and the only thing
that interests ter are few words at the
| last:
"1n regard to my uncles ward, she will,
| of course, be taken care of at the hall un-
til we return, when suitable arrangements
can be made"
Miss Wilton's bright eyes flash omnous-
ly.
Suitable arrangements, indeed! Am
child to be arranged according to his
fancy" she says angrily and then she
thinks of two days that stand out vividly
from the past-shrinks at one, smiles at
the memory Of the other, and tries to con-
meet the kindly dark eyes and smiling lips
of her rescuer with the writer of that let
ter
That they are one and the same she
knows. for only few weeks before she
had seen his likeness among her guar
dams treasures and recognized it at once.
Well, it was the way of the world, and
she must not expect to find every one as
generous and kind as her dear old guar
dian. Not one bitter thought of him
crosses her mind. He did not mean to
leave her penniless, she knew; he intended
her to have all that was his, for his nephew
did not need it, and beside there vas an
old misunderstanding between them, so
, old, that during her residence at the hall
she had heard nothing about young Mr..
Darlington, save from the chance remarks
the servants had let fall. But it is all
over now; all the ease and luxury; all
connected with the dear old home, and to-
morrow she goes out into the world to find
employment, and when the young master
| returns he will find no incumbrance with
his fair inheritance.
He shall know that can care for my
self she says aloud at the close of her
/ musings, and gets up to wander about the
house In a sort Of farewell, spending the
evening in the library among all her guar
dan's treasured books and herlooms.
The solicitors had demonstrated with
her in vain. She was firm in her resolve,
and refused to listen to their advice that
she should at least remain at the hall until
she found suitable situation. That one
sentence in Albert Carrington's letter
seemed burned into her brain. and would
not let her rest So in the morning of the
following day she came down In travelling
attire, bade the wondering, indignant ser
wants goodbye and departed.
In suite of rooms In New York hotel,
Albert Darlington and his sister have taken
up their abode for the winter. They have
just arrived IN time to sperd New Year
in the city, having stayed at the country
house of friend until after Christmas.
1t is still in the morning hours. and Mr.
Darlington is reading In his fav orite chair
by the fire, while his sister Is busyinp
herself with a bit of dainty work Pres
entity Mr.. Darlington puts down the paper.
What can have become of Miss Will
toni" he says. Hartley has found no trace
OF her yet. and | almost think he never
will"
What a tiresome affair it is, Albert?
Why could not uncle have provided for
| her"
"Or she have been sensible enough to
stay at home"
We'll" his sister says with a smile,
''the next time you have young lady to
deal with, do not mistake her for child :"
Mr. Darlington laughs. 1T was stupid
of me, l will admit, but she"
Il hardly think you can blame her so
much" his sister interrupted. They
were wrong in showing her the letter,
but il she had any spirit at all she
would naturally resent what probably
seemed to her an unwarranted assumption
Of authority on your part"
Mr.. Darlington flushed q little But
l did not mistrust she was more than
child. How much better it would have
been had uncle made his will in season
He wanted her to inherit what he had, Of
course, and | am sure we do not want any
part of it. He never got over the absurd
mistake in regard to me-
mo, and he never would had he lived to
be hundred and now all we can do is to
carry out his wishes as best we may, and
not let it worry US"
Silence falls between them, broken sud
denly by Miss Carrington why have
you never married, Albert?''
Her brother laughs heartily. "Why,
Millie, what do want of a wife?"
but seriously, Albert, you are getting
! old"
"Old?" he says in mock dismay. "Are
there gray hairs in my head that you SO
suddenly decide am getting old?"
perhaps SO, but really"
But really" he echoes, II have met
my fate. Does that content you, Mille?"
She looks up sharply, but his face is Sc
rious enough to satisfy even her.
"Oh, Albert! and you never told me-
Who is she?"
II do not know" calmly.
Then where is she?"
Il do not know that either"
Miss Darlington moves inpatiently.
II might have known you were not in
earnest" she says.
Mr. Carrington's eyes CLEAN with amuse-
ment, and he goes on as If not hearing
her words: ''She has beautiful brown
curls, and the merriest, brightest, brown
eyes you ever saw. The frst time saw
her l pulled her out of the ice the next
time she came flying through the air to my
arms. l shall go out presently and find
her again"
Mildred stares at him.
ALBERT! are you crazy?"
"Never was more sane in my life," he
returns coolly, and just then trim servant