Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-03-09
At S|SC0NSETT POINT

/ lAupAriEnts IVY uF L. y. AINiuEe.l
Marion Bridges pushed the papers
covered with figures TO one side. She
had studied them until her head ached.
Read up or read down. they spelled
| renewed effort" And she had so
| hoped that her tutoring during July
would end her summers work. Girl
like, she yearned for some real vaca-
ton days.
| But IL she WAS to return 10 college
| the third week In September there
was much yet to be done Her slen-
| der income--for Marion was an orphan
would barely pay her way through
| her last year at college, with its at
| tendant commencement festivities and
expenses. II she drew on this income
for a vacation jaunt, IL she even stay
Ell in town at an inexpensive board
ing house, there would be shortage
before the end of the college year.
She rose and walked YEARLY to the
open window. Would IL pay-this
struggle to get her degreef And aft
after year In schoolroomi Was 1t
her sphere? Would she become old
and dun colored and silent like Miss
Haines, who had taught algebra dur
ing the freshman term?
To drive such thoughts from her
mind she picked up the morning pa
per her eye falling on the help wanted
column.
wanteS-Next Monday loo neat. bust
S-fH - Nc Nara IN fnk
Good wages. reasonable board The Sis
consett Hop Growers Company, Slscon-
sett y. \.
Good wages; reasonable board"
And the climate and scenic attractions
Of Sisconsett drew hundreds Of sum.
mer visitors each year.
Why notg" she murmured. II would
not he vacation exactly, but II would
I'LL that awful gap until the third week
in September So she went downtown.
with her head held high. but her heart
sinking, to buy dark calico for two
working dresses. She made them at
home through the kindness of her land
lady. who not only loaned her the ma
chine, but fitted the waists Ii was
when she was finishing the low turn
over collars witt . bit Of strong lace
that his letter came
She had not expected TO hear from
him, and yet she was not surprised
There had oeen moments In the lab
oratory which had set her heart beat
ing oddly, but then she reasoned that
his interest was due to the fact that
she was one OF the best scholars in his
branch.
Yet his letter stated distinctly. 81
Will stop of In New York TO see you II
only for a few hours"
She looked at the heading OF the let.
ter. He was at Cape May. There
would be time to let him know that
she was leaving town. And leave she
must before he came. What would
he Think Marion Bridges picking
hops, Her cheeks burned crimson and
her hands trenlbled as she snatched
up her sewing. She would leave at
once, even If the picking did not be
gin for another week. Board was rea-
sonable, and she would get breath OF
fresh air and rest before beginning the
work. She knew she could never keep
the truth from him il they were face
to face. She wrote brief note:
So sorry that win not be in town next
Monday. I am just leaving for Siscon-
sett on a little vacation Wishing you a
very pleasant summer, yours sincerely.
MARION BRIDGES.
II WAS at the end OF her first days
work. and she walked with the long
line of chattering girls TO the weighing
room TO get her credit slip. mar
in loose fiannels was checking of the
list. He started. flushed slightly. then
smiled and held out her slip.
1t fiuttered for an instant In her fin
gers, then fell to the ground. With
white face and frightened eyes she
bent down. picked it up and hurried
out of the Office
He found her sitting on a ledge over
! looking the river. T,., rising moon
cast an homogeneous silvery sheen over
her prosaic working dress. She had
| intended 10 change her frock every
night after supper. But what was the
| usef Nothing seemed to matter now
that he had seen her in that line OF IN
/ eouth, Ill hammered girls. He sat
down beside her. kindly looking across
| the stretch of trees sloping 10 the
| noisy little river instead OF into her
| eyes. which bore traces of tears.
Il see you have found my fayorite
| spot already. This is my third season
here. you see, and know every pref
| " nook and Granny about the place"
Il suppose you are studying sociolo-
gyF' Then she added YEARLY, We'll.
| you ought to see it in many phases
here"
No" he replied quietly. II am here
solely for the sake of the wages. My
salary is not large enough TO support
my mother as she has been accustom-
ed to live. and l usually hunt outdoor
work TO rest my mind and build up
my body during the summer
! Marion looked straight into his eyes
/ s.Noyg small raY, must 4f.f,,t- r,,a q,