Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-02-11
> Observation-Disclosures
BY Martha McCulloch. William,


"iN@NoHtss' ttOtneu all In rad.
ed calico and tapping sun hat. her new
pink lawn lay deftly hidden In the
depths of her berry basket. with her
bronze ties and clicked silk stockings
nestled snusiy underneath. She was
going surreptitiously a barn dance.
albeit her grandmother thought dane.
Ing among the deadly sins. She knew
she would get wigglng afterward.
Still. she did not mean to let the knowl-
edge in any way dim the splendor of
the day.
The Radley house lay just beyond
the berry field. Once she reached 1t
she was safe. Mrs. Radley had indeed
melted her going, offering to take her
IN the earryall along with her own
girls Mrs. Radley was SO plump and
yielding and obstinate even Grand
mother Willis could not quarrel with
her. She was as motherly as she was
plump. Now. for two years she had
been persuadng her son John to marry
Augusta. so as to let the poor thing
have little fun and the chance to feel
that her soul was her own" John and
Augusta had laughed Jointly over his
mothers matchmaking. They were the
best friends In the world. but had quite
other views for themselves.
Here's hat. Gussie. | knew you
never could smuggle out that fine chip
fiat you. have net worn twice this sum-
mer," Mrs. Radley said. setting a pic
turesque rough straw turban upon the
runaway's head as the last hook on the
pink lawn snapped into place. My,
but you do look prettyw she went on.
Then over her shoulder to John, She'll
outsh!ne everybody. won't she. Jack?"
Except one" John answered. Rose
Lee III be there. you know. That re-
minds me. She's to fetch her city cous-
in. There's a chance for you, Gus.
Rose says he has more money than he
well knows how to spend"
II wonder II he has changed" Gus
said. laughing, 'or II he is the same
little whining beast he was that sum-
mer nine years ago"
why. where did you ever see him"
bVbl III OpSh hpubNis
Again Gussie laughed. His grand
mother and mine were cronies at the
springs" she said. Don't you re-
member our going to the mountains?
Those two old ladies thought | was
born to take care Of Jody. How |
should have hated him if / had not
been so sorry for anything compelled
TO suffer that name! He was so sick
ly and spoiled and just plain hateful
along with it. Ugh! I'm sorry he's
coming He quite scorned dancing
with me-said | was clumsy-but | al
ways believed it was spite. beat him
so far when it came to climbing trees
or even throwing rocks
"And you never told me word of all
this" John said a little reproachfully.
Gussle tweaked his ear. answering
softly: "Of course not. You have been
in love with Rose since you wore trou-
sers. wouldn't say things about
Fits"
Six double sets were already dane
ing under the big bush arbor when the
Radleys drove up. High above the
dancers a string band played for dear
life, while the leader of it called the
figures In loud. merry voice. Out I'M
der the trees other people sat. usually
young people, fittngly paired and so
rapt one in the other they had eyes for
little else besides.
A slight young fellow, with single
glass dangling from his buttonhole.
leaned against a near tree trunk. look
ing discontentedly about. He darted
at Gussie and caught both her hands
saying: How dare you be late? You
must have known l was plning for
another real good fight"
"You cried Enough and promised
to keep the peace ever after the last
time" Gussie protested. Besides.
do not fight enemies any more"
I'm ahead Of you" Fits said, draw
ing her hand through his arm. 81 not
merely keep the peace with my enc
mics: love them dearly-one of them
at least"
your pretty speeches must be sadly
In need of air." Gussle said, with lit
tie sldeong look at John. 1t amazed
her 10 see him frown and turn away,
gnawing his mustache. Fits caught
the look and smiled a little. but press
ed toward the arbor. saying as they
reached the edge of 1t:
"You are going to dance with me.
Now. can you longer doubt my devo-
tion?"
"Oh. I don't know. You were al
ways devoted to yourself" Gussie said.
smiling wickedly.
Fits pretended to frowh. Il see you
are not properly impressed with the
change in me-" he said. Understand
l have escaped from the JoGy stage.
Instead, behold Joe Fits, very much
at your service. DO You know came
down here just to find you:'
mo. and don't think | shall ever
find it out" Gussie retorted, beating
time with her foot.
In IFS last WllriS