Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-10-10
BERIIE,N
ADECLSION
By Ina Wright Hanson
Copyright. 1905 bH Homer Spraous
By Ina JYrighf Hanson

going slowly up the stairs. Exactly
like Berthe. This morning we were to
spend our last afternoon sailing; at
noontlle he sent a messenger to say
he had changed his mind and would
come in his automobile; now he tele-
phones that we viii so on our wheels
TO the redwoods."
"Unstable as water. but handsome as
a king-caght to be- was her thought
a few minutes later. They were walk
ing down the garden path to the BIZ
cycles waiting at the gate.
Here's a flower FOR YOU" he said
gayly, STOPPING TO pick pelargonium.
Fitting symbol of You is this Martha
Washington. Not bit high toned, but
smiling alike on the rich and the poor;
deiicately colored, but sturdy for all
that. my Martha"
She responded absently TO his chat
ter. She was glad he did not seem to
expect much of her in the way Of
conversation.
81 suppose you have been wondering
why changed my mind so often"
Lucy nsid NdlhCA W haitS anu Nhttb
ed down them and over the level
places and along the cool shady path
to the redwoods They were sitting
where streamlet leaped forward to
kiss the feet of the ferns: where the
redwoods gave out a soothing fra
GRANGE. A few steps away was garish
sunshine, but here shade and GOODNESS
nj ar NEoaf{sasu hla7 hAa RI
lghtened. and she smiled winsomely
into Bertle's face.
why she queried.
Because am going to ask you
something, and / wanted to choose the
best place for IT, This is the best OF
all, isn't it, beloved? ! want you to
marry me. Martha. tonight and go
away with me or not go away. | don't
know that | care anything about see
ing New York. anyway"
.fYou want me to marry you tonight
for fear that by Christmas or Septem-
Der or tomorrow you might change
your mind? Thanks for the compli-
ment. and no, thank you, for the offer"
Berries face was white. She was
savagely glad she had hurt him He
might realize little of her suffering
EDO you think l want husband
who changes his mind on subject as
many times as there are hours in a
day? What pleasure is there in you.
BERTHE Harrison. and what confidence
can one have7 We were to read to I'm
prove our minds. You began with VII
liam Tell at the arrow scene: then you
took a chapter in Merchant OF Ven
Ice next you thought Burton Holmes
travels
Don't. Martha" Berthe interrupted.
''Probably / shall thank yeu gone time,
but Just now l can't stand any more
than a homeopathic dose"
IL BERTHE had got furious with her
or IL he had cried-she felt as II she
would not have been surprised to see
him cry like a girl-she could have
kept on pelting him with her sharp
words, but to have him quiet and
whitehall was something she could
not bear. Tears droppei on the Martha
Washington in her cold hand.
Forgive me, dear; didn't mean
pardon me, Martha; / think YOU
meant exactly what vou said In the
fash of your words / see what won
der / have failed to discover hereto
fore. Isn't there saying that If you
can properly diagnose a case the cure
= In half erfectedP If overcome the
fault and make a man Of mvself may
EXPECT your favor. MarthaY'
She shock her head
II can't have any faith In YOU. BERTHE
but after all YOU are not TO blame
You can't be different. There are too
MANY odds against YOU. It's heredi-
tary. My father knew your father
wen. Genini is your birth slgn--two
forces pulling In epposite directions.
Then your fortune stands In your way
and even your name. You caa never
expect a Napoleon OF a BERTHE"
'.Can any good come out of Naza-
reth?'' he said bitterly. But You re-
member the best did come out Of Naza-
.~kgs