Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-07-03
AT THE BREAK
FAST TABLE.


gin with generalities when they intend
to end with the specific"
well, then, perhaps do. She's re.
lated to the Gordons, and she's from
the west"
"What part of the west?" 1 ques-
toned.
Aunt Julia spread out her hands.
ooh, Illinois or Iowa or Idaho. It's all
the same. isn't it? And what was the
place you came from, Indiana?"
II wonder that you ever put up with
ne" suggested.
"Your mother was . Massachusetts
woman"
"And this-ah-this young lady for
whom am destined-how did she
overcome your prejudicesT
"Well, she's q Yankee, too, on her
fathers side"
"Ah!
II know you'll like her, for she's
pretty and clever, and she knows how
to wear her clothes. Altogether
Altogether she must be q marvel
since she pleases my fastidious aunt"
''Besides"-and then Aunt Julia broke
Off and began thoughtfuily to butter a
bit Of roll.
"Besides"- echoed.
"Well, she has money, or will have,
though of course that's minor consid-
GRAFTON. One should look first for fami-
ly and brains."
"Still money enables one to use those
to advantage"
Aunt Julia agreed.
"And without money, brains and fam
lily are only an aggravation. You be-
come miserable because you know
enough to want the things yo1 can't
get, and it doesn't do you any good to
know that you're somebody if you have
to go around looking like nobody"
Don't be intricate. I'm going to in
troduce you to her. She's been stopping
at her cousins all spring. I've seen a
good deal of her, and I've decided I'd
like her for niece. 1 want you to
think Of it seriously-for my sake"
For your sake I'd be almost willing
to-"
you're not bad looking, you've lit
tie money, and if you only work you
may make a name for yourself"
l bowed. please go on. My great
trouble is that I've always had too poor
an opinion of myself, but if you talk
like that 1 shall believe I'm man Of
ability"
you have far too good an opinion as
it is. You're too particular. You think
that no woman is good enough for you.
l don't believe you ever really cared
enough for woman to even think Of
asking her to marry you"
l finished my coffee. Have it your
own way" l answered, fetching some
thing of sigh.
"We'll meet her today"
"Where?" l exclaimed, leaning for
ward.
'I'm going to take you to Harriet
Mohun's coming out party this after
noon. She'll be there"
"Oh, but see here" protested. "This
is going it bit fast. I no sooner get
my foot on my native soil than you
introduce me to young woman, with
instructions to fall in love with her.
You haven't even told me her name"
Didn't IY' said my aunt sweetly.
Its Mallard."
"Mallard," said 1, and I began very
deliberately to fold my napkin. mot
Betty Mallard"
81 should have hazarded Elizabeth"
l jammed my napkin through the
ring. Has she talking eyes and skin
colored like rose petals? Does her hair
fluff a good deal, and is her smile like
soft silk if you touch them and yet
strong and fine to look at? Is her
nose straight, but thought tip tilted?
And does everybody in the world do
precisely as he wants them to because
she can twist anybody around her fin
ger and they're glad to be twisted?"
"Bless the boyw exclaimed Aunt Ju-
liza. 81 suppose she might answer your
description. though it is a trifie too full
of color to be called exact. Do you
know herr"
Its Betty"
81 infer that you do know her." And
Aunt Julia pushed back from the table.
YES"
"Well?" she questioned, rising.
rose too. "She's the woman you
said you didn't believe had ever hap
pened," l answered soberly.
"You mean
"That once asked her to marry me"
"But-but l don't understand. She
couldn't have
"She refused me-"
Aunt Julia stiffened. "That vas
"Two years ago."
"Then that's
Eyes, that's why went abroad-and
staid." l tried to laugh down at Aunt
Julia, but I'm afraid the laugh wasn't
a success.
We were standing side by side at the
table now. The little lady put out her