Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-09-21

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she read to Miss Marcia and dutifully
drove with her all the fine afternoons.
to say nothing of playing the three
games OF chess required to put tie
elder lady in proper state for sleep
She also. as In duty bound exclaimed
over the Heistone diamonds when
Miss Marcia exhibited them. But it
took her aback to have Miss Marcia
say abruptly after month OF all this.
IF John marfies TO please me. his
wife win be fortunate II he does not
everything goes TO charity. IL Ii should
go. wonder would you he sorry for
him.
1T would depend Loris said, flush
ing family. Very sorry-unless he got
something he cared more about"
lin. l fancy you think he cares
more for--yon," Miss Marcia said
polntedly "IIe thinks so too. That is
why you are here / brought you to let
you see that you don't fit in. You
would only make him mlserable-eve
more miserable than you would make
me. hope you are sensible enough to
see what Is best | will give you S10,-
600 the day you marry-some other
man than my nephew-Dr. Hickson.
say. I'm sure he is wild about you.
Marry him before John comes home"
THANK you for nothing. don't
want either your money or your neph-
ew," Loris said haughtlly. her face
scarlet. She turned to go. with ges-
ture Of farewell.
Miss Marcia stopped her by saying
fretfully: You must not think of leav-
ing See how 1t storms outside The
worst March sleet ever saw And IL
you really don't want John there is no
reason why we should not be good
friends. Stay with me. l will make it
worth your WHILE
'You cannot" Loris said, running up
TO her own room. there to rage and
chafe until she went punctiliously
down to dinner. There was no getting
home until the weather changed The
walks We're CLAIR ice. the paths drifted
She was prisoner until morning at
least. As prisoner it behooved her to
show herself brave. Therefore instead
VI EhtfNa'7 ebApb-A CIV W az
gaycr than she had ever been and after
it sang of her own notion the old, old
ballads Miss Marcia loved The BRAY
cry appealed TO Miss Marcia wonder
fully.
But after her clear Good night" To-
ris did not sleep. Instead she lay with
her head locked In her hands, culver
ing In every fiber.
Had she liberty TO come between
John Helstone and this fine inherit
ance? She knew the old story-the
fend begun in troth plight and troth
breaking. She loved John-oh. how
dearly-but could she really make up
to him for what he would lose? Miss
Marcia's case, too, appealed 60 her
strangely: she was old and lonely.
Then under this soft mood there crcpt
fiery one. John was her lover-hers.
Miss Marcia had shamed and insult
ed her. 1t would be darling venge
anee to smile Mt her and say: Let the
money go to charity, Aunt Marcia.
We can take care of ourselves"
Loris began suddenly to stiie. she
sprang up and darted to a window, but
could not open it. Gasping she few
to the door, opened 1t and saw flame
and smoke below. All the big hall was
like furnace, with the servants asleep
In the south wing and Miss Marcia
snoring and unconscious across the cor
rldor
In minute Loris had her door open
and shut and was dragging her from
bed toward the east window. 1t gave
on piazza roof, whence escape might
be possible. Lorls saw instantly it was
easily possible to her 1.-the strength,
yet Miss Marcia moaned and prayed
and hid her eyes. Like lightning Loris
thought of what the elder woman
meant TO her own future. II she were
out of the way? With sudden hatred
Of self and superhuman strength she
clutehed and tugged and strained and
at last got Miss Marcia on the roof.
Then Loris dropped down and called TO
men running wildly about: "A ladder!
A ladder! Save Miss Helstone" And
then she sat down, suddenly faint,
while strong and willing arms com
pleted the work of rescue.
Miss Marcia never did things half
way. As soon as she could sit up she
caught Loris' hand. saying through
tears: Forgive me! Oh, do forgive
me! l had insulted you. but you didn't
leave me to burn alive! You-you are
the wife of joint"
Il have thought SO all the time,
Loris said. hiding her happy face in
Miss Marcla's breast.
An Unfortunate Choice.
Mrs. Black, with family of eight,