Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1894-03-22
Written for The Americaa.
LAkEHURST LEAGUE.
( Concluded from last ,ceek. ]

| himself before Mrs. Iursts house. The
windows were open, revealing the softly
| lighted room beyond. and the dainty head
of charming Mrs. Hurst beside the case
ment Obeying sudden impulse, be
| opened the gate, and ascending the steps
10 the versnda dropped into chair Just
without the window.
why, Robert Kent, how YOU startled
me You come like shadow of the
night. But am glad to see you, never
theless, for John has gone 10 town, and
am quite alone. Tell me what YOU are
| doing with yourself now a-days," she
sdied lightly.
Nothing. A. usual. But the days are
unusually long. Tell me. Mrs. Hurst, how
long are we to be boyco,ted as we have
been this SUMNER"
Mrs. Hurst laughed
~ ncy-though do not know-,hat
It depends in m, a.ure on yourselves"
"How, pray?"
II must not betrav secrets, Robert. or |
shall be expelled 10 disgrace Think can
didly for moment, aud see II your con
science does not tell you the reason Of
this crusade against you. and then the
remedy must suggest itself"
Il am afraid we are a hopeless lot" he
said presently, a dswniug Intelligence in
his flne eyes.
is there no slternative.-
None, | am quite sure"
Then what are We 10 dor
why not sccept the gauntlet thrown
DOWN Eater the lists and show Your
selves worthy antagonists. You haze
brains. II you choose to u-e them;
strength. aud you will no, exert IL. an
opcu held before you Way let those girls
outsuip you 10 The race Of ifc: They ate
marching ahead, and no longer coutcut 70
be dragging you in The rear. they are lesy-
Ing YOU behind This league Of theirs
may seem 10 YOU q mere bsgateile but At
the bottom of ii lie~ earnest purpose The
girls have practiced self denial this sun
mcT, and The results may prove Of no
small Importance to them 10 after ,csr~.
They arv more Independent. more alert
Thry arr slrrady mskirg plans fnr The
winter which viii he OF great benefit. aui
they ~in steadily mount toward thc gnsi
Of That wider HE for whicA th-y ar. .trly.
Ing Shall ynn be- conteut 10 remain b.--
hind, to drag 90 YOUR day, n an almle--
existence
Her clear. relentless tones >,nng him 10
the heart; his face flushed snd pA'ed sgaiu.
and H. sruse abruptly, with quick mpa-
tient footsteps pacing the serania The
hot blood surged within h,m. hts pulses
throbbed heavily. tumu, Of conflicting
emotion ragged In his brain. lie felt a. +
4 veil had been torn from before his eyes
showing him in lash OF binding light
the end ~ lhe path hr hsd been trraGtng
There was dumb sort Of anger again~t
himself. agsiust the woman who had thus.
with unrrring hand. dashed io ,he ground
the structure he bad raised aud called
life. Life His life had br-n the mereet
fr' th upon the ocean. and npw il had been
blown aside By sudden VIII. revealing
10 hi- startled eyes the dark -ullen waters
beneath. rushing swiftly toward preci-
pice-
Was ihtre tlme to reach the shore be-
fore being bruised and battered on the
rocks below. Aud then, suddenly. BE-
saw with that inucr eve of the mind.
girli>h dgnre standing on the nauk above.
a
Inn. her band out~tretchcd 70 grasp ID,
. hen he should have reached her and htr
voice ike Gear, sweet he'll rang acros,
the waters the one ", ri Come"
He threw up hi, head proudly, sni for
the nrst time steadfa-t purpose shone
in his flashing eyes His was not a ma
Iure that once disturbed could ever gloss
over the >urfsce again, and 20 on In tie
same cli wsy. He had never before had
the probe applied and he could no more
arrest lis course than he could fy. Il must
90 = the very bottom Of his soul, tearing
out the old careless thoughts aud ideas.
bringing them up to be condemned By his
newly awakened conscience
His lips curIed in bitter ,corn at the
memory Of himself never again could he
be content with the old, idle frvoiou, life
it was If door had been shut, leaving
him on the outside Of familiar spot,
while before him stretched an unknown
country-and 1t seemed rugged and hilly,
and the paths were thoruy, But far away
=
cess in well doing. and his naked soul cried
out for strength to reach the goal.
Mrs. Hurst, sitting motionless by her
window. listened nervou>ly to the rapid
walking.
Have done any good. or have | only
made him angry" she asked herself.
He has never been so roughly handled
before, and perhaps he needs it."
Her anxiety lessened by and by, when
the disturbed, angry tread became steadier
and gradually slowed to a thoughtful pac-
ing. Then it ceased altogether, and
Robert sat down again beside her. His
face was deadly white, revealing traces of
the storm that had passed over it. though
q calm rested there then. She waited for
him TO speak, which he did in moment,
his voice low, and full of suppressed emo
tion
Il have been purged by fire, Mrs. Hurst;
heart and mind and soul are empty save Of
ashes, and two things else. One is my
gratitude to you for applying the match,
and the other-I can onls speak of it to
one, and not to her until lam more worthy.
have said that heart and soul were empty,
and please God they shall never be filled
with the tares again"
"Oh, Robert. am so glad Thank God
that He put the right words into my
mouth. aud opened your heart to receive
them. He must have guided you here to-
night. Robert, you have not only your
self to save, there are others over whom
your influence may be strong for good.