Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-08-04
AUNT AL|NE'S TRYST.
The Coming Of the Man She So
Anxiously Awaited.
ey JOHN RoxsuRY.

Little Mrs. Jordan bad run into her
aunts cozy home on her way to the
city.
Els It so unusual for me to look nice,
DoIlie?
Miss Sherwin turned from the glass
before which she had been giving a
final touch to the soft brown hair that
waved around her white forehead and
smiled quizzically at her niece.
mo" returned the little matron with
cordial sincerity; You always look
lovely to Dan and Nell and me- But
you never would buy yourself pretty
clothes while we were with you. and
as you were always doing something
for us you seldom took time to look
at yourself That new golden silk
Is wonderfully becoming. and that
mechlin at your throat. with the
quaint brooch of coral and silver. is
most artistic. And you have such a
pretty pink color in your cheeks. One
would think you were young girl GO
ing out to meet your lover"
The color of which Dollie Jordan
spoke deepened to rose. Miss Sherwin
laughed an odd. embarrassed little
laugh.
"You mustn't come Gathering me-"
she said "And-I don't wish to hurry
you. but you'll miss your train to town
II you stay much longer"
mercy me. So | will" And with a
hasty glance at the clock and hurried
kiss she rustled away at rapid rate.
Miss Sherwin turned again to the
mirror when she was alone. Dollie
was right. She did not look her twen-
ty-nine years. Indeed. the face that
smiled back at her was very sweet in
its bright serenity. The lips that part
ed over cleaning white teeth were
full and rosy. And the large gray eyes,
looking forth from under dark hrows
and lashes, had beaming brillianee.
Maurice won't see much change in
me-" she said as she put on her hat.
She slipped on wrap and took up her
gloves. But suddenly she stood still,
shaken by the cruel dread Suppose
he were not there! 1t was long jour
ney here from Australia Accidents
innumerable were occurring every
week. What If he were the victim of
one? What II he were III and could
not make the trip?
The one greatest dread Of all she did
not voice even to her inmost conscious
ness.
"How foolish you are. Aline Sher-
winr' she said. with an impatient little
toss Of her head. His last letter said
he would meet you at the old trysting
place on this day. the anniversary OF
our engagement there. Maurice would
never break his word"
She walked at a brisk rate the many
blocks which lay between her home
and the park. The charming suburban
pleasure ground was gorgeous in its
autumnal robes of amber and crimson
and living gold. There was a con-
tinual drifting of glowing leaves
through the blue. hazy air. And every.
where children were making merry
running and laughing and playing
games.
But when Alice Sherwin reached the
great stone fountain where the leap
ing water no longer glittered her hear,
sank with sudden. sharp disappoint
ment. There was no one there but 9
gray haired. specialized man. who
glanced up at her approach only II
bend instantly again over the paper
he was reading. She took out hel
watch and consulted it
tsMv Ia nm, fon min
utes too soon. How foolish Of me to-
to fear" she said.
She walked up and down the grav
eled path near the fountain. To ST
still was impossible. She watched thu
different avenues up which he nigh
come 1t was ten years since they
had parted. Five minutes gone! A
seven minutes!
And he need never have gone away
II 1t had not been for Mary's unex
pected death she might have gone will
him. But Aline had declared herself
bound to take care Of her sisters chi
dren.
Six months ago freedom had come t,
0cI. Ddu was tuuu anu piOSPcIluE
Dollie was married, and Nell had gon
to live with her. So Aline Sherwil
wrote to her lover that she was wait
1ng for him.
The clock in the tower changed on
the hour Of 3.
She started. and her reticule fell {,
the ground. Three. and he was no
here! Each clang of the bell had
struck on her heart like blow.
You have dropped your bagw TIL,
man on the bench picked it up and Of
fered It to her. lifting his hat. I'm
afraid you are disappointed" be sait
pleasantly. you were expecting som,
0neY
She hardly glanced at him. But sh,
was In the mood for confidence, ant
his voice was sympathetic.
YES" she said and sat down. II