Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-07-01

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"Only by marriage. Even if he were
l don't think that would protect you"
This was not the only safeguard
Mrs. Treaddle threw out against pos
sible loss of her brothers fortune. She
gave Reginald Knickerbocker, young
profigate with whom she had been
carrying on an intimacy, instructions
to win Matilda, thus preventing Scher-
merhorn from doing so. Having thus
put up the bars, Mrs. Treaddle felt that
she had her brother corralled.
"Oh, aunty," said Matilda a few days
later, what do you think? Mr.. Knick-
erbocker- But l suppose I shouldn't
tell"
"Tell me everything, my dear"
Last night when we were alone he
put his arm around me-"
Indeed? What else did he do?"
'Oh, don't like to tellv
You'd better, my dear"
"He kissed me-"
''Well, my child, l congratulate you.
Mr.. Knickerbocker is one of the few
fine young men in New York fashion
able society"
isn't it nice that he's not like Uncle
Schem"
every nice l trust it will all come
out right and you will be very happy"
A few evenings later Matilda entered
the drawing room in her accustomed
timid and noiseless way and saw Mrs
Treaddle and Reginald Knickerbocker
sitting on tete-a-tete hand in hand.
The young man dropped the hand and
the lady looked annoyed, but she was
equal to the emergency.
Come here Matilda. l want to con-
graduate you. Reggy has been giving
me his confidence just as if he were
my own son. He has told me of your
engagement to him"
"Oh, Aunty, how you surprise me!
Mr.. Knickerbocker hasn't proposed to
me-" She turned away with her eyes
bent on the floor.
THAT is only because was wait
ing" said Knickerbocker, rising and
advancing toward her, "for your
aunt's permission"
"Why for that?' asked Matilda, turn
ing pair of wondering eyes ON him.
you dear, unsophisticated child"
said her aunt. In our set it is not
considered honorable for man to win
girl without permission"
"Oh, dearr' said Matilda, a mild dis
appointment in her voice and eyes.
I'm so sorry. You can't be honorable.
You didn't have permission when you
kissed me-"
Mrs. Treaddle put a lace bordered
handkerchief to her lips to hide a
smile. "Mr. Knickerbocker had my
permission to win you from the first"
she said.
Matilda looked as if she We're going
to cry.
whats the matter, child?' asked
her aunt.
ooh, nothing! Mr.. Knickerbocker
asked permission to love me, then
loved me afterward. Suppose he hadn't
got permission. l should have been so
disappointed" And, putting her hand
kerchief to her eyes, she glided out of
the room.
A month passed, during which Regi-
maid Knickerbocker spared no pains to
make himself agreeable and restore
confidence One day Schermerhorn
Wrinkle asked his sister If she were
not going to give Matilda an entertain
ment.
AN entertainment! Why, Schem,
are you crazy? Give that country chit
an entertainment? 1t would cost me
my position in society,""
But Schem insisted on it In quiet
way as the proper thing, and Mrs.
Treaddle did not dare disobey. On the
evening Of the entertainment Matilda
appeared In a simple white dress, with
a rose in her hair, looking for all the
world like Greek statue. Mrs. Tread
die was astonished to find that the
introduction instead of injuring her
reputation in society had made hit.
Mrs. Treaddle," said guest, what
a pity to introduce such charming
girl and announce her engagement at
the same timer
Her engagement stammered the
hostess. "Ah, yes-to Mr.. Knicker-
booker. But l did not know it was to
be given out tonight"
Mr.. Knickerbocker! Why, your
brother announced to me himself that
he was engaged to Miss Thorne." Mr..
Wrinkle at the moment was passing
with Matilda on his arm and heard the
remark.
Martha" he said to his sister, this
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little chit! Little cat! She has
been stealing around like snake and
deceived us ALL"
mot at ALL" said Matilda, with dig
nifty. "You deceived yourselves"
ELIZA B. ARTHUR.