Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-02-19

TO herself as she gathered the gar
ments into her arms and carried them
to the basement. whore she bestowed
them all upon The new laundress. That
v man left IN hurry before her
lays work was done. fearing that
Beth would change her mind.
Two days later Howard started up
20 Beth's in his car to take her out for
long drive. as arranged with her
over the phone. What was his amaze
ment. therefore. as he drove slowly
through the downtown streets to see
Beth In her gray walking suit and
toque Just disappearing around cor
ner. He called to her. but she did not
hear, and the young fellow stopped the
machine. With set chin and frightened
lips and hurt eyes he drove slowly on
up the hill and past the house, where
Beth In blue dress waited In the haIl.
When she saw Howard whiz by,
never once glancing at the house, she
was first Indignant and then angry.
And after an hour OF deliberation, dur
Ing which her wrath increased she
rang for messenger and put into his
hands note and little sealed packet
which contained her ring.
She came down to dinner pale and
wan. Her uncle looked at her sharply.
seeing traces OF tears. and decided that
he woultnct.
I'm sorry to speak about this
again." he said. clearing his throat.
but IL you must go Summing insist
that you take some escort with you.
I'll go If Howard will not. I was
amazed to see you down there among
the secondhand stores in that part of
town after what I told you the last
time. don't care why you 60: it is
not safe nor respectable. either"
Beth was staring at him open eyed.
II was not down there this afternoon"
she said Indignantly.
The doorbell rang. and Howard was
ushered into the lining roor, by 'he
maid. He came IN to t.:e table and
put little pac.ot DON ~ tho cloth.
Beth" he said, you don't mean 1t.
do you? I can't let .:'ou hrea', Our en-
gagement like this withogt telling me
what Is the matter What have I
doneT
Eeth stood up. looking like fawn
at bay. Her eyes were dilated with
fear. her had; c,inciea. She looked
from Howard 10 her uncle. but did not
speak. Finally her uncle went over to
her and put his arm around her.
"what is 1t, little grip he said as
one would sneak tn A child
Beth began to sob aud then to laugh.
ats all 80 funny" she sobbed. II
guess it's mostly my fault. gave that
gray suit away. and the hat too" The
men glanced at each other and then
laughed. Howard made step for
ward. but Beth ran behind her chair.
"And I was at home" she said to
him-"I was at home. and you did not
stop-when yos had asked me to go.
And was all ready and waiting for
you"
But, Beth, met that gray suit
downtown. l was sure 1t was you.
and didn't know what to do. didn't
know until afterward that had gone
by your house. Don't you see, dear
But this time he came around behind
the chair, too, and Uncle John sat
down and pretended to eat his cold
dinner.
When Uncle John reached home the
next night he found the old smoking
jacket and slippers laid out for him.
He smelled the sulphur with which
they had been fumigated and asked no
questions, though he didn't really need
to be told where they had come from.
He had seen Beth and Howard In the
big green car steering toward the sec
ondhand district In the morning. and
he had had his hopes aroused.
Not long afterward. while Beth was
busy with her trousseau. her uncle
came in softly and heard her saying to
a caller: But there's nothing so I'M
wise as indiscriminate giving. had a
lesson, and know"