Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-02-24
Where the
Heart Is.
By GRANT OWEN.


The hanson rolled slowly up the
.venue through the mellow sunshine
AZ the Indian summer afternoon. Its
ala occupant. very broad shouldered
ronng man. leaned back on the cush-
.ons and smoked contemplative ciga-
rette abstractedly watching through
,,,,f closed eyes the stream of traffic
yhirling past.
He was good uatured. indolcnt
looking young man. one of the kind
who very evidently enjoyed being at
case. Yet in the dark eyes was a GER
.oin light of determination, certain
hint Of latent power that made one
nuite inclined to forgive his apparent
laziness.
suddenly the young man sat erect.
he leaned far forward. peering intent
~ at a figure on the crowded side
walk He watched 1t steadfastly for
moment. while his Incidence fell
from him like a useless cloak. and his
ewes opened wider and wider.
Impatiently he fiicked the cigarette
N the pavement and stood up to open
the trap above his head.
"Hir' he called to the cabby. Il
say, there. pull up to the curb and set
me down, will you? And be quick
about it."
The hansom swerved sharply and
drew ND at the curb. The young man
s.rambled out. quite forgetful Of his
usual slow dignity In his haste. He
thrust up bill to the cabby. and with
out waiting for his change he went
brIskly up the avenue In pursuit Of the
figure he had just seen.
He elbowed his way along. now side
stepping some group which blocked
his headlong progress. now all but
breaking into q run In his eagerness.
Ahead Of him he caught neeting
elinipses Of a large hat with blue
feather that seemed to serve as nee
essary incentive to his hurrying steps.
When he had almost reached 1t the
Oiue IediHtI tuIueu a SvAhSA Ahe" "
quiet side street, and the young man
In hot pursuit followed after.
Here the sidewalks, being less crowd
ed, gave him better opportunity for
speed. In a moment he had overtaken
the blue feather and touched its wear
er lightly on the arm.
She turned, and her eyes rested on
him with sudden eager light in them.
"Tedr cried the girl happily. Tied.
Of all the people In the woridr'
"You have led me a frightful chase.
Patty" he painted. with mock severity.
'I?" she laughed. "How"
81 was In a hanson on the avenue,
and saw you passing" he explained.
II pulled up and gave chase afoot-"
what are you doing here?" she de-
manded, although her eyes told plainly
that she knew very well the answer to
her question. And why are you here,
anyway? Surely you are not up here
with horses this time Of year. didn't
suppose there was any power on earth
that could drag Northcroft from Vir-
Sinia at tnlS season..
"a little clipping from a morning pa
per early In the week is responsible for
my appearance" said he. 1T stated
that you and your mother had just
returned from abroad"
"Oh, really!" she mocked Il suppose
should feel vastly battered to be able
to bring you up here. Think of it!
The wild turkey shooting must be
something wonderful now, TO say moth
Ing of the Rediields hunt. They're rid
ing Just now. of course"
Yes. they're riding" said he. But
somehow it's pretty tame sport when
you're not along, Patty"
She looked at him suddenly, and q
faint red crept into her cheeks. "Oh.
pshawF' she laughed. "You virgInians
certainly know how to pay compli-
nents, don't youg"
She said It lightly enough, but her
voice was not altogether steady. The
young mans sudden and unlocked for
appearance seemed to have discon-
certed her somewhat.
"eFirginians," he repeated thought
iuiiy. Then you don't count yourself
one OF us any longer, Patty?"
Well, l fear I'm bit weaned from
ue Old place." she confessed. "You
zee, since father died and we came
oack here to live with my mothers
people I've been made to feel that I,
or part Of me at least, belongs up
mere. Father was the virginian. you
know"
lne young man stiffened. you've
eaanged, Patty" he said fatty and
Ssn something like disappointment in
Us voice. you used to say that you
we're Virginian to the backbone-that
'asse was no place ON earth like It,"
mat was before I had seen the
"ner Places" said she.
! see," said he. with a certain odd
"astraint "of course"
oA by bit he drew out Of her an ac-
.Ouat OF her travels and experiences
sutlng the mast fhroo yaors Ha If,,.