Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-07-07
A BURNT BARRIER,
The Lover Laid His Pride at His
SWeetheart's Feet.
BY MARIE MoNTRosE.

by MAMIE WIN U nOSGs
| copyrighted, 1909, by Associated Literary
Press.l
| Down the dust white country road
sped Doxy. palpitating and panic
stricken, her eyes bent on volume Of
smoke that was rolling up from the
sheep dotted pasture. She went cross
| LOTS and came to the charred remains
of the old farmhouse, where knot Of
neighbors, helpless and wondering,
gathered round the pathetically small
! pile of rescued household effects.
Doxy was not young woman, but
she was Of the type that time touched
| gently. Her eyes were soft and gray
and expressive of past but unforgot-
ten time. Her optimistic fatalism was
not wanting in this hour of trouble.
Il don't see how you managed to
save so many things" she said to her
| friends, each of whom at this encour-
| agement began to point out what he
/ had snatched from the flames.
"See, Miss Barton" cried lad. tri-
umphantly thrusting tin can into her
hand. ~ hearn you say as how this
ere was yer bank, so grabbed 1t fust
thing"
"Oh, Jim, there is $50 in it!'
Her father, Seth Barton, now arriv-
ed upon the scene. His heart was full
Of memories which were smothered in
| the philosophical remark, Never could
have saved her in this windw
you and Doxy II come right home
with US and stay" cordially invited
the nearest neighbor.
The others followed suit in this prof.
fer Of hospitality, rendering wide open
| doors.
"You are so kind. but we'll stay
right here" said Doxy in response to
each invitation. "Our upstairs is fitted
up snug as nreside, you know"
/ Her fathers stoical face frightened
He had a catlike clinging to home
not from love Of every heart beat fol
II, as in Doxy's case, but because he
could not bear the thought Of uproot-
ing and transplanting.
The neighbors carried the goods and
chattels to the barn and helped Doxy
| arrange . temporary home. While the
men were aiding in the evening work
their wives prepared supper. Any
event, joyful or calamitous. In the dis.
trict was deemed an Occasion" wor-
| thy Of general repast. After supper
they departed for their homes. Seth
| settled down to his evening pipe and
weekly paper as If nothing had hap
pened.
In hA ~ hoA -
the dusk stole out and went through
the garden to the blackened ruins Of
| tottering walls and crumbled mortar.
All the voices Of long ago called to
her. most persistently the voice Of the
| youth who ten years before had wooed
| her.
| There had been the lovers quarrel
and Jed Knox in a moment Of hot
headed anger had sworn he would
never again cross the Barton thresh
old.
Time and events showed him that
he was entirely In the wrong and that
the quarrel had been Of his own max
ing, but he held stubbornly to his
| oath. With quiet and firm dignity
Doxy had refused to see him else,
| where than In her own home.
| AS Jed's stubbornness increased he
grew bitter and morose. avoiding all
mention Of Doxy.
She started at sight of man COM
ing from out the ruins. but in an In
slant she recognized Sol Upper. the
village carpenter. early in line for a
| contract.
SOL" said Doxy briskly. II want
this as you can"
"Waal Miss Barton. tell me how
much you can put into house."
There's the $50 Jim saved. the bank
account, little insurance, some that
Hobbs owes u.s.
After mental accounting she gave
the total Of her capital. Sol shook his
head discouragingly.
You can't do it noways for that
money"
KNOCK out the cellar" commanded
Doxy, land take off the blinds. In the
fall l will use the turkeys for blinds"
THE turkeysw repeated Sol wonder
ingly
THE money l get7for selling them,
l mean"
When the blinds were off. the bay
window deducted. the gables torn off.
the back porch taken away. the stairs
removed and general clearing Of fire.
place. attic, paint, plaster, lath and par
titions had been effected. the amount
of cash available was triumphantly
reached.
The architecture appealed to Sol as
easy to build, but was not in accord
ance with his ideas of what dwelling
should be.
"Your house won't have no insides
Miss Barton, but I'll be on hand to
morrow to begin" said he disapprov.
ingly.
When he had gone she again resum-
ed her twilight reveries.