Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-11-30

y
In claiming your Old friends in Warn
field, Mr.. Bracket"
1t was merely banal greeting, but
the commonplace served to place Brac1
kett on the right footing,
Most certainly, and yet l feel that
| should apologize for this intrusion.
had | not come to make apology for a
greater one that was made in my
name"
"You allude to Mr.. Stinson's eallT'
she laughed lightly. Mr.. Stinson does
me the honor to consider me force
in the political situation. | assure you
| appreciate the compliment, as the
president of the Hypatia. But as
Elizabeth Heath, must beg TO decline
it,
Bracket made slight movement
toward her. II beg you TO consider
the man and his total ignorance as to
the enorniity of what he was doing.
II was Il distinct shock to me TO hear
your name upon his lips, and
II understand" she replied quickly.
Believe me, did not connect you
with it in the least In fact, when he
mentioned that you would call to dis
cuss the matter was very certain that
you were entirely innocent of all
knowledge of his errand here"
Bracket flushed darby.
Il trust you will treat this incident
as If it had never happened, and of
course there need be no question of
your support in political sense"
Here they both laughed uneasily.
$50 much So" she responded, that
| will use every effort to further the
cause of Governor Bracket"
Bracket sprang to his feet, his dark
face aglow. "Elizabethr'
Miss Heath held up warning hand.
MIR. Bracket, fifteen years have come
and gone since any man has held the
right to call me by that name. We
We're speaking of politics"
Bracket submitted mutely as she led
the talk around to other questions of
the day lightly and easily, giving him
time to find himself In the talk of old
friends and places.
"And the general, how is he and your
mother?'
She looked at him wonderingly. is
it possible that with all of Mr.. Stin-
sons information he did not tell you
that | am living here alone with only
Aunt Janef Father and mother died
within one month of each other ten
years ago"
Bracket turned abruptly and walked
TO the window. He understood many
beautiful truth of this woman, who
had lived her life so bravely. The sun
light in the square was binding. Per
haps that was why his eyes were wet
as he walked swiftly down the long
room and drew her hands into his.
Elizabeth, there was fate in stin-
sons call, the fate that has watched
us both through all these years. There
were ghosts that knocked and walked
my starved heart last night, ghosts
that would not be silenced. / was n
coward then, coward not brave
enough to humble my pride and tell
you of the burden that lay between us,
and when death removed that burden
it was too late. l thought, but | am
here now to plead my case afresh, here
Mt your mercy. We are older now, and
there is little youth left us. and for
Gods sake don't let pride stand be
tween us and that little. VIII the pres
ident of the Hypatia work for me as
my promised wife? VIII she. ESZa
beth?"
Old Peter shuffied down the hall uR-
noticed and stood in the doorway a
brief second, then he ambled away,
hopping his eyes.
Il thought that was Massa Johp
Bracket rs certain now for suah.'