Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-06-27
A NIGHT IN TOWN.

FOR me. L We u touCh OF inc govt NY stAA'
said my father as we sat at the breakfast
table idling over our home grown straw.
berries and elauing over the rich country
cream.
And then you might possibly induce
Jack TO come out with you tomorrow for
over Sunday.
Father looked slyly OF mother as he
made this last suggestion, for was there
ever a Sunday during the whole long sum
mer that Jack, my dear, old Jack, did not
spend with us at ApplegateS
Father gave me my instructions l was
to 60 to the bank and have check cash
cd. a q. 600 check, pay his fre insurance
premiums, settle bill at one OF the shops
and bring home the hundred or SO l would
have left.
Before boarding the train telcgraphed
Jack to meet me at 8, SO when l arrived
In town made straight for the bank and
drew the money, intending to hurry
through my errands so to have all finished
when Jack and l should meet. But just
IS stepped from the cashiers window
Mr.. Allan stopped me, saying;
why how do you do, Miss Clydes
How very intent on business we are. =
looked up smiling and then felt con-
scious that Harry Allan was looking at
the package of bills in my hand.
"Oh, yes, replied, just attending to
few errands for father, How are you.
We have been hoping to see you at Apple
gate this summer.
a Ieasure yet In store for me. Jack
Osborne has kindly offered to chaperon
me some time, and If can get away from
business you may be sure that will avail
myself of your hospitality.
Chatting and laughing and intechang
ing town and country gossip, Harry and
l walked down the street. ! thought at
every corner he would leave me, and l
hoped 50 deyoutly. as l was impatient TO
pay out the money that was already be-
coming a care and burden; but, no, he
had never seemed so attentive. Finally
the recollection of mothers injunction
came to me, and l told him l had 10 do
some shopping He looked as II he We're
about to accompany me.
''Oh, no. Don't come with me. l am
buying a gown, and "a word Mt the wrong
time or even misplaced smile might per
vert my Judgment. Come up tonight If
you wish. III be staying at the house.
Without giving him time to rrmonstrate
or even 10 say goodby l turned into the
nearest shop. When l had finished my
purchases. 1t was time to meet Jack, and
the thought of him drove all care for the
money away The rest of the afternoon
was spent in a much more profitable man
ner than in any way concerned business
Our gay little dinner was given up en-
tirely to mirth, the very idea OF dining
alone being so deliciously novel that IA
Tiers 81 900 never entered my rattle
Drained head until we started FOR home,
and then it was but a momentary anxiety.
as felt in my inner pocket only to find
the crisp notes safely there
Jack and opened the house and
brought out rugs for the porch, and Were
talking the nothings that we always talk
when I saw Harry Allan approaching.
Jack grumbled at the threatened Interrupt
ton to our tete-a-t ete but both Of us real
ly liked Harry, and we felt il was only
selfshness that made us dislike To have
him with us, we welcomed him, and,
after all, we had very pleasant evening.
Wont you sing for US, Miss Clydei"
asked Harry later in the evening, and so
went in to the piano, leaving the men TO
their cigars. But after one or two songs
Jack followed me in l remember singing
l Wish ! We're Where the Gady Runs,
but l did not at all. l would not have
been anywhere in all the world except
right there, with Jack leaning over the
piano and joining in the music with his
deep mellow voice. Harry was forgotten,
and when he came in to bid me good night
it was with start that l remembered he
was one of the party.
You surely won't stay here tonight,
Will you Miss Clydei Can't induce you
to go home with me? Mother would be
charmed to have youS
"Oh, no, thank you, Mr.. Allan; / am
not bit afraid, and then, you know, l
have to get down town so early have not
yet attended TO fathers Business, and If l
staid at your house I would disturb dear
Mrs. Allan, who, l know, is used to her
late breakfast BY 10 O'Clock l expect to
have my errands done and be on my way
to the station.
dorothy, dear don't stay here; do go
to Mr. Adams or the Browns"
why, Jack, you are as foolish as mann
ma. You need not talk about it; am de-
termined now to stay and prove TO all you
fussy bodies that an American girl Is quite
safe in her own house, even il alone. -
well, II you are determined, l suppose
there is nothing I can say, especially as
Jack advice does not 60" laughed Har
~, and, bidding me goodby, ran down the
steps Jack staid few minutes longer,
and then said
Good night, foolish little girl. You
will be sorry tomorrow, when you see me
looking worn and haggard after a sleep
less night worrying about you. You ought
to be made to obey, but l declare l can't
undertake task at which your parents
have so signally failed. "
And dear sweet Jack kissed me good
night and left.
When he was really gone l regret
ted the foolish pride that had made me
stick to my threat of remaining alone in
that great, dreary house, but repentance
came too late. Feeling nervous and excit-
ed, l took book to my room and read for
half hour or So trying to quiet my dis
turbed nerves.
Finally, getting somewhat sleepy, be-
gan to prepare for bed. AS stepped to the
dressing case to braid my hair for the