Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-08-10
WINNING THE PRIZE.
Written for THE AMERICAN by MAY Mont.
ford"

VIC IOst dllu lIitC uuSIGs III Inc RHTueD Hl1u
the perfume of the lilacs came through
the open window filling the breakfast
room with fragrance. Everything in
side was coy and homelike. large
maltese Angora cat sat purrng lazily in
the sunshine, and the room seemed filled
with beauty and brightness. The bright
ness of the room, however, was not re-
Elected on the faces OF its occupants, for an
uneasy look Of anxiety seemed to shadow
the frank, handsome countenance Of
Ra amerton as he disposed OF the cot
fee toast in manner that showed a
lack Il appetite.
II wife sat opposite him at the break
far stblea dainty little figure in pink
ing dress. Her light hair curled
and waved around a face which, to close
observer, showed beauty and undeveloped
strength of character, but Just now there
was pout upon the red lips and the fair
white brow was wrinkled into very un-
becoming frowh as she said to herself: 81
wonder what makes Ralph so moody this
morning" Presently she spoke.
Ralph, my dear, 1t will soon be time to
clean house, you know, and there are ever
so many things to be bought new this
spring. ] want some new lace curtains
and a new chamber set for the front cham
Der, and the parlor carpet is positively
shabby; we really must have new one.
And Ralph" she added coaxingly, "why
can't have piano, his spring? | want
one SO much, and you told me when we
-
would buy me one rs soon as you could
afford it. | think it Il can to make me
wait any longer she continued wilfully.
\ blank look of perpiexity had been
deepening over Raiph Emertons face as
his wife spoke, and he now laughed rath-
er bitterly as he rose FROM the table, say
ing more harshly than his wife had ever
before heard him spesk; "A piano, in
deed, Marion; what would you do with a
piano with no home to keep it in?n
But we have home, Ralph what do
you mean? faltercd Marion, alarmed by
her husbands words and manner.
II mean this" replied Ralph, that I'M
less can raise $500 before the first day OF
June, this home Will be ours no longer.
1 have tried in every way possible to raise
the money, but cannot obtain it any
where"
Lose our home' this pretty little house,
our home where we have been so happy
all our married life, Oh, Ralph Ralph, it
cannot be true!'
My poor darling" said Ralph kissing
away the tears, ~ wish it were not so. |
did not mean TO let you know it, darling,
till the last moment, but when you asked
for piano had to tell you the reason |
could not buy it, for | have not got the
money, and II had, it would have to go
to pay the mortgage on our farm. | have
never told you much about my business,
dearest, for when | married you three
years ago l resolved that your life should
be as happy and bright and free from care
as it was possible for me to make it, for |
loved you so we'll that wanted to shield
you from all anxiety"
The golden head OF Marion Emerton
nestled closer to the strong shoulder OF
her husband. "Yes, ] know you have
been very kind to me, but l married you |
for better or worse, and don't want you
to think that i am such weak minded |
dependent person that | cannot be help |
Iidtt III tlults VI iIOQDlc ds "cil dS pIOs-
perity.a
Ralph pressed his wife closer to his
breast and his voice trembled as he an
swered: MY dear wife, l never knew be-
fore What treasure had gained. Now
for an explanation. You know that when |
we were married three years ago, l pur-
chased this farm, paying cash for all but |
$500 and giving mortgage for that |
amount | thought that it would be an |
easy matter to pay that sum before it came
due, but the last two years have been
very hard seasons for the farmer. On ac-
count of the drought last year, none Of
the crops realized what | expected then |
the year before l lost large number of
hogs with the cholera, and the little
brown mare that broke her leg in the
pasture and had to be killed last week, l |
expected to sell to Smith for 300. That |
would have gone long way toward pay
ing the mortgage. SO you see, my dear,
that ill-luck has seemed to follow me on
every side. | nave no money and the
mortgage will be due the first day of next
month"
"But, Ralph, can you not see the man
that holds III ;aerjgas, and get him to
give you another year to pay it in? We
will be very saving, and perhaps you will
have better success with your crops this
year SO that we can pay it all up.
NO, Marion he viii not wait any
longer; h. has chance 10 dispose of the
farm for cash down now, and he needs
the money very much, he does not think