Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-05-04
THE PASSING OF THE
SUMNER BOARDER
By TEMPLE BAILEY
Copyright, ,oo,, BY 7. c. Mcclure

Miss fremont held Cornelia In her
arms FOR a moment as she kissed her.
The figure of the girl was rigid, and
the lips she touched were cold. but
Miss fremont did not notice the lack
of enthusiasm. She was used to con
quests. and she was sure Nellie loved
/ her.
/ She whispered In the girls ear. Her
voice was penetrating, and, as she in
I tended. the clear tones reached the ear
Of the man who stood close by.
When you are married, let me
know. and | viii come and dance at
your wedding" was what she said.
! Then she gathered up her rustling
skirts and waved her bunch of Ameri-
can Beauties at the pair. and the coach
drove Off.
| Cornelia turned to the man beside
| her.
Did you hear what she saidf"
Yes" he answered absently. his
eyes ON the iiuttering bit OF white veil
far down the road.
III. u
| shan't let her know"
| The man turned. his sunburned face
showing his surprise.
81 thought You liked Miss fremont"
so did. and do vet, but tell YOU
now. Dave Clinton. that IL mother
| takes boarders again next summer |
shall go away and stay Her voice
WAS fierce.
An uneasy look came into the blue
eyes of the young farmer.
| "Apd leave meY'' He tried to ask the
question easily. but his voice was not
ls,eadv.
She laid her hand on his arm, with a
kind of doubling appeal
"Wouid Won care IL I went-if she
was here?"
The man shifted his position uneas-
nv. 81 don't see that you are called
unon To ask me that uuestion. Nelie-
he said.
But | do ask it.. Her fingers were
locking each other neryousiy. IL did
like her" she went ON. .for she Is so
beautiful. and she Interested me-until
vou began tn notice her.
He tried to take her hand. but she
flung herself AWAY from him. Then for
moment there was tense silence.
~ love Won. Nellie" he said at last.
You don't, YOU don't, You love herv'
she cried passIonately. "Aud | wish we
had never seen her" She ran swiftly
nm the nath ana shut the door of the
bouse behind her.
Thar night the family sat down nj a
small table i'm the big kitchen. The din
| ing room had been restored to its orici-
| nal position ms a living room. and the
| parlor was closed The sumner of
| warmed over potatoes and eggs. with
one kind of nreserve announced the
| return of pIain living
After sumner Nellie washed the dishes
| In the big nantrv inst outside the
kitchen. Her mother was I'm the milk
| room skimminp so when Dave came
| and stood beside her they were alone.
"yyhat,s ths matter NetieY, he said.
"Are you mad at meY''
| She raised her blue eyes.
| "No Dave she said ouiefly.
| She poured some ho. water into her
nan so reckIesslv that her fingers were
burned and she uttered nm Involuntary
| cry
| Dave reached over and took them.
red and Wet as they were
.sPoor little f,npersr, he said.
| NaI,e,s ayau hIozad ~ won't have
vour nitv Dave CIintonw Her voice
was bnsbaa hut vehement
| without another word the man turn
| al awav hat She called him bsck I'm a
wbisper.
| az want IN see Won when 7 finish. TN
eo,ne down 70 the orchard scat.
| Tba orchard was snicv with the scent
| ~ onnIas and np,,er the moonlight the
| ora,,, rod .,Iobas shovvad dark in the
| shoaoyv of tho leaves Dave sat on n
| pat,,ral bench made nv tho pnarled
trunks Of two old annie trees and
watched Nata come down the nath.