Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-01-04
FEATHERING
THE NEST
q, LwELLEN TETERs
Copyright, 1906, bv Lrelien Teters


s to every day and can't attend to
feathering the nest himself, and she
lives way up in the country. He wants
me to select four room fat and get
nil the furniture Would you help me?
I'd be so grateful"
She glanced away from the eagerNess
of his face. The open piano reminded
her Of the pupils coming for lessons In
the morning. Some stockings stuffed
tightly In her workbasket near by
warned her of necessary darnlng.
There was hat to trim over SO she
could go to church on Sunday, Count
less other petty duties arrayed them
selves silently before her in stubborn
protest.
1t had required veritablc pocketing
of pride for her TO apprise Goring of
her arrival in town, because OF his for
getfulness of her in the time following
their last meeting. Had he not been
tie only one she knew in the big, throb-
bling city doubtless the dainty little
missive would never have been sent
But fate ponds on trivialities, and
May Carlton feared solitude more
than she feared the past. A distasteful
sutton was wooing her with all of the
gilded responsiveness of his wealth,
championed by her aunt. But Goring
did not know of this. He knew only
thct May Carlton was temporarily
domiciled at chilly. stuhfy boarding
house which breathed of frying meats
at no matter what hour he called and
that there was wistful pleading In her
eyes,
I'VE will go to lunch first" Goring
put in insinuatingly; that is, IL you
will?"
Thank you, but / am afraid I can.
not possibly go until afternoon" she
said firmly, with inward sacrifices, n The
hat could go until next week; surely
there were greater sins than not at
tending church.
1t was much easier selecting a fiat
than the furniture, as they discovered
after weary pilgrimages through de-
partment stores trying to perform that
miracle commonly known as buying
what one wants at the price one can
afford. for the fat. provided over by
a smoky, generously whiskered janltor,
who insisted on taking them for his
prospective tenants and asking them
at disconcertlng intervals the size Of
their family, was decided on almost
at first glance merely because Miss
Carlton liked the parlor mantel and
Goring admired the size of the ice
box.
But each time she returned from the
cheerful little home that they were so
engrossed in preparing for the bride
and groom it was to sink aghast ut
the loneliness of her own life as she
climbed up the three interminable
fights of stairs to her room. Her few
scholars barely sufficed to meet the
exactions of her iandlady. The thought
of the little fat uptown Knocked her
with its insinuating air of home and
domesticity. The instinct was strong
within her for a nest Of her own. 1t
was only because of the inherent fond
ness for the home, as the bird builds
its nest and feathers 1t tenderly for its
mate. that she had been interested In
the labor.
When Goring called for her that aft
ernoon to complete the final arrange
ments in the little home. there was no
trace Of the grief she had endured the
previous evening. AS he was an
nounced she was even beginning let
ter to her distastefu, sutton, and she
thrust 1t into her pocket in her haste to
accompany Goring.
do you think they'll like it?" she
asked anxiously.
Like it? They'll be crazy over it!
Wouldn't your
yes. l would like it," She stifled
sigh that echoed in her heart.
She had been about to sign her
name to that bit of paper which
would mean for her q splendid man
sion. horses and all the accessories OF
allEe-ee. but her heart yearned for
the tiny nest in which she stood and
the one man to share it with her.
Something suffocating arose in her
throat.
I'm sorry it's finished" Goring
broke in. II had no idea it was so
interesting. Tom left three days ago
Ior the wedding; they ought TO De
here tomorrow. / suppose they won't
have house warming"
Il May Carlton looked at him impul-
sively; tomorrow was ber last day
In town; she had resolved to seal her
late and go back to that other man,
AFRAID to pit her puny strength longer
against the world. she longed for one
more taste of happiness. reluctant to
take the decisive sep.
why couldn't we arrange it as a
surpriser' she cied eagerly. at will
be awfully chesrless for bride, COM
Ing to a dark house without one light
10 greet her oh, pleasew
d Goring glazed into her flushed, visit
ful face, thinking of that summer time
past and the man who rumor said
mad robbed him of her love-
well. VIC will. I'll see caterer