Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-03-27
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said AIRS. Sidney Molli>on. "The idea Of
that yoaug second rate bootkecper send
Ing silver hand mirror as a present to
my daugbtcrl Mr. aollison, do you hear
me?''
Mr.. Molllson's eyes were in the evening
paper. but he said he was not deaf.
II should think you would have high.
er opinion OF Beryrs worth than to sane
ton such MATCH"
My dear Dora, have not sanctioned
the match"
"Yes. you have. You gave the young
man employment in your Office. and only
last month you raised his wages TO SIS
week. That was giving him encourage
ment."
How
"You know perfectly well. When he
was earning only SIS. be had all he could
do e. liay for his board and clothes"
swell il was Toms doing"
MIR. Mollson wac neither brave nor
generous. so. he sought refuge behind his
Bachelor brother. who was associated with
him ia the firm OF Sidney Molison & Bro.
II was retreat skillfuIly executed. how.
ever. for IL Mrs. Moliison had one pet
purpose In life besides marrying her
daughter to wealth and position il was 10
codlie Brother Tom so be would remain
a bachelor and leave his share of the
estate to her children. Up 10 this time
she had been successful. Brother Tom
was 40 aud prematurely old. He was
persuaded thai he had every ailment
known to medical science or patent med
ieine advertisements. He sometimes
reached his Office by IL o'clock in the
morning. but Ii was with an effort and
after Mrs. Mollisou had served his toast
and coffee in his room. He said 10 her
often when she broughs his breakfast,
Dear sister Dora, | don't know how
should live a day without you" There
was streak OF laziness in him. Some
times | wonder" he would add, IF there
Ii another woman Ia the world who would
be so good 10 me-"
And Dora would answer: "You wicked
mani Have you been thinking again OF
getting married? You know you could
not live month with a wife whom you
would have to wait on"
That's So" He always conceded the
point when she made him comfortable.
but, you know, there's no danger. be-
cause IN never fluid another woman Ike
you"
All this passed through Mrs. Mollison's
mind when her husband shifted the
blame from himself to Tom for the unde-
sirable attention young Mr.. Blythe was
bestowlng upon their daughter. To Of
fend brother Tom by asking for the
youths dismissal or by abruptly forbid
ding him the house was not to be thought
of. She remained in a silent study long
enough for Mr.. Moilison to turn his pa
per inside out.
"Sid," Mrs. Molllson resumed In soft
/ err tone that limited at a crafty purpose,
ave decided what 10 do. 1t is a case
requiring the exercise of diplomacy"
you've got plenty of it,"
s'Beryi must give back the hand mir
ror. but to soften the boys disappoint-
ment / shall write him about 1t first and
invite him to come here for dinner next
Sunday. Then when Beryl has offended
him by returning his gift shall have
girl at hand TO console him--Janet Craig.
She Is that blue eyed thing whom Beryl
went about so much with last summer.
She's rather old, l imagine, and will
jump at the chance OF healing broken
heart IL IL will bring her husband.
Then we shall be rid of the bookkeeper
and Beryl will be cured Of her infatua-
ton. What do you think of the pianT
'Looks well on paper"
''And IL will be successful" Mrs Molli-
son was supremacy confident.
II wonder Mr.. Mollison paused to
remove his spectacles and regard his wife
cautiously before finishing the remark.
"wellT' She smiled patronizingly.
81 wonder what will happen when you
meet woman whose wits are equal to
your own. Tbcre'n be a pretty how dye
do, I'll wager"
My dear. / have always been able to
take care OF myself" said Mrs. Mollison
The Sunday dinner that was to be the
funeral feast of the b0okkeeper's IN
timely romance was planned with per
feet exactness. Bur for some reason the
plans began To 80 wrong before the blue
eyed thing" was In the house ten min.
utes.
Janet on ente.ing ran into Mrs. Mol!i-
sons arms ami kissed her. Then. see
ing Beryl looking sad, she ran away
with her on the pretext OF removing her
wraps, but really 10 learn what the trou-
bic was.
"Ohp Her blre eyes opened with hor-
ror and amazement when she heard the
story. "The poor fellow is invited here
to be slaughtered"
"What can do. Janetr
.sAiy dear, l don't know. You'll have
TO OBEY your nothef, suPPoSS' "".
Janet pressed one slender finger against
her temple in thought.
"And it's such a pretty hand mirror,
Janet" Beryl walled.
II suppose your mother intends him
Tor my partner at dinner just to keep him
away from your
'.Yes: it will break Arthur's heart"
''Where is Uncle Tom?" Janet inquir-
ed.
s.Oh. he's in bed. He never gets up on
Sunday. His health isn't good"
s.Healthr The blue eyes snapped.
"He's being eoddled to death. But he
must get up"
s'But. Janet, dear, mamma won't allow
IT,"
sWe shall see."
The young ladies' entered the drawing
room together. as guileiess as two kit