Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-03-30
Nonsense, what does that amount tor"

have father on earth somewhere II he has
not died within the last three years. am
a nobody. as it were. and do you think I
would marry a man like you? What would
your proud mother say?".
"You need not marry my mother he re-
piled, II want you myself. Now l know
your story, ask you again to be my wife.
oh, Clara. If you only knew how l love
you, you would not refuse" And she did
not refuse. but dropping her head on his
shoulder gave herself to him forever.
Just behind them, sauntering along,
came Leon Burns and as he saw Ernest
he turned and went back to the horse not
wishing to intrude. He saw Hortense on
the porch and going towards her seated
himself by her side and said, 'Hortense.
Miss Call" she prompts.
well, Miss Call, may call you Hor-
tense?"
Yes, sometime. when | want you to,
but not to-day"
Then l will say Miss Call have some
thing very important to say to you"
/ 80. have your"
at is something my thoughts have lin
gered on for many days"
"Oh, is 1t? well, say 1t quick. l can't
bother all day with you"
~ want you to be-
| We'll, l won't be anything" she inter
rupts saucily. And II that is what your
thoughts have fingered on. you had better
get gooG novel to read, or you will go to
destruction"
"Hortense, want you for my wife.
What If you do? You cant have every
thing In this world any more than the cook"
With these words she got up and moved to
the other side OF the porch. As the house
hid her from his view, she sank into a
chair laughing, while Burns comforted
himself that he did not ask her right. He
ought TO have told her he loved her. but he
would ask her again. Some one else was
silent observer Of this scene, and al.
I though he was amused, 1t hurt him to hear
his cousin take so solemn a thing lightly.
and in a little while he Joined her. She.
not knowing he had witnessed all, told
him of II. He did not laugh, but looked
gravely at her and asked. Does my little
cousin know that 1t was not Kind to treat
/ him that wayI You should have thanked
him for the honor. but refused firmly. 1t
may be nothing 10 you. but great deal to
a man"
Hortense rose and In her hsughtiest tones
said Cousin Graston. l have manners to
suit my own taste, and was moving sway.
"Horense. come here, have story 10
tell you"
III you are done preaching, l will" she
replied seating herself by his side.
Perhaps my story may help you think
OF others" he began. when was about
twenty two years Of age | met young
and beautiful girl She was younger than
! was by three years, and loved her a
never can love woman again. | asked
her 10 be my wife and she laughed in nv
face. saying she could not see how | could
think she could love me, and walked away
saying, Isn't II fun TO be refused, Gras-
tom! Since then have hated women and
vowed never to ask another one TO marry
me. and that's why your cousins fussy
old bach" When be had finished his story
his face was white as death, for though 1t
was years ago, the old love was not dead
Hortense readily promised not to laugh a,
any one again. but she was too full of life
to redeem her promise when opportunity
afforded, but she avoided Burns all she
could
The next morning Clara White robed in
pale blue which became her so we'll went
into the garden to await the breakfast
bell. She had not been there long when
she heard Cowan's step. and his voice
He exclaimed, 'Ah. how nice you look
Good morning. Ernest" she returned
Its not often you flatter."
The bell sounded soon and as they arose
TO answer its summons he said, Il shall
write home to- day"
As they were going up the steps lady
dressed in black came towards them but
SO engrossed were they with each other
that they did not see her until she stood
before them exclaiming, MY children e
and they were both clasped in her arms.
Mother how did you know" asked
Ernest.
| Come to breakfast for am awful hun
cry. and then you shall know why am
| here " shp answered
As soon as the meal was finished the trio
started for walk to get away from the
noise. When on their way Mrs. Cowan
began, II received letter yesterday
But, mother, tell US how you knew
Clara and l were to be married." he in.
telrupted.
ITO be married." she echoed but seeing
the look on Claras face she took her in
her arms and said, Il am glad, but the
letter SAID my brother would be here very
soon, and SO | came early this morning,
but l am delighted to know you are to be
my daughter, Clara"
1t was happy party that gathered on
the porch to plan trip to Germany.
"Clara, we want you to sing a song"
said Hortense, dancing gally from the
house. With smile she rose and entered
the house. and soon her clear sweet voice
was heard singing:
Last night the nightingale awoke me.
Last night when all was STILL"
How like birds her voice is" thought
the two on the porch. When she returned
to them mother and son were in deep con-
versation and she turned to 60 back but
Mrs. Cowan called her to her and said,
my brother, l spoke of this morning has
been searching for his lost child. He and
his wife, now dead, were in Germany and
had a German nurse for their child. The
nurse and child were both missing one
evening, and he has spent his life in lock-
ing for his child. The child was three
years old, and it is now fifteen years sine e
he lost her, but he is sure he would know
her."
The rumble of the stage brought the
story to a close, and Mrs. Cowan pressed
forward with others who were eager to
| cIosn lovad ouos in their arrua Tho 10 AZ