Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-05-23

DIVIDED.
BY FLOSSIE.

! ness broken only DS lnt OCtHs iOhhl can
ing of whip poorwill to its mate. The
pure, pale moon looked serenely down
upon an old white farm house, guarded
| by giant trees that cast dusky shadows
across the oldfsshioned garden below
/ At the north were huge barns and gran
aries, with long stretches OF field and
meadow beyond and below the garden,
separated from it by a low stone wall
was large orchard, radiant now with
! bloom.
Two people stand beside the wall-one
girl tall and fair in her pose OF careless
grace, her white face cleaning In the
moonlight, the dark eyes shining with
subdued delight, perhaps little tinged
with remorse. Her companions broad
shoulders were in relief against the glow
OF the moon, his head bending toward
her, his lips quivering like woman S
with emotion.
why have you kept this from me,
Mollie?" he says somewhat sternly.
The girl flushed little. II did not
want anyone to know until had quite
made up my mind, ;" she answers in a low
tone.
"Were you afraid l might be able to
alter your decision? l cannot think that
you mean this
why" she asks sharply. ''ls it so
incredible thing that l should wish to
leave this" with All expressive sweep OF
her hand toward the house.
II am tired to death OF this humdrum
place, the endless round Of teamwork,
and the dull, unrefned people. | long to
spread my wings in finer atmosphere,
and to make something better Of my life,
and now that have the opportunity, is it
likely that l shall hesitste?o
Not If you are tired OF it all-of me. y
Il am not tired OF you, Robert" she
says more gently. "But ! cannot let this
chance go by, even for your sake
Because you do not love me-
''If to love you means to sacrifice every
hope OF wealth and fame and to settle
down here on farm, then do not love
you, " she answers impatiently, and then,
seeing how his face blanched in the pale
light. she adds: 'Do not be unjust,
Robert, do care for you, and always will,
but you must not come between me and
the career | seek.
IL do not ask hat Mollie. ! would not
say nay to your going now, could | be as
sured that when your years OF study are
over you would give me the right to pro-
tect you, and care for you. could then
devote my time, oh, SO gladly, dear, TO
making suitable home for my queen
where art and duty should ever go hand
in hand Will you promise that, Mollie?'
Il cannot, Robert, must be unfettered,
free to do as l will. Success may be far
away, may never come to me, and, at
least, ] look forward TO years OF toll and
patient striving. Could bind you to
long waiting, with perhaps disappoint-
ment at the end? No, no, do not ask it,
II wish hat woman had died before she
came here to fill your head with such
ideas?H he exclaims so hotly that the girl
shrinks from him, putting out her hands
as if to ward off his anger.
"Hush, please. Those ideas, as you
call them. were mine before | saw Mrs.
Tren ham. She is the good fairy who
makes it possible for my dreams to be-
come;realities. ! am so grateful to her
for her rare kindness"
And what will they do here without
you?"
Mollie opens her eyes wonderingly.
Il have received no great kindness from
them, that should consider their miss
ing me. They have sheltered me, 1t is
true, and in return ! have been their
slave. Why, Robert, you have always
scolded about it; you were TO take me
from them when you could, but now
Are you quite consistent
Zone forgets to be consistent at such
time, Mollie. Then no words OF mine
will move you?'
NO, l have fully decided, she
answers, land in the silence that falls
between them, Robert Joslyn struggles
with and conquers his anger because of
the wrong she was doing him.
"W hen do you co." he asks presently.
Tomorrow, early. Mrs. Trenham is
impatient at the last, nervousIy pluck
ing leaf, and tearing it to bits Is she
speaks.
Then this is our farewell? Dear, you
will never know what bitter disGppoint-
ment you are causing me. ! have loved
you and trusted you, and hoped that very
soon l should call you ty a higher name
than sweet heart. l have pictured a life
OF happiness, Mollle, with you as my
guiding star, and now you suddenly
break he tie between US. leaving me al
at sea, and for what? Dependence ON