Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-06-14
Susa1nah's
independence
II Was short Lived. but
served lts Pssrpoe0
NJ cLARlseA MAc1klH
Copyright b. American Pres Asee-
a1a eleR fml
By cIARlssyA MAckls

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
That Sunday had been one Of Mis-
rettice PenHeld's lugubrious days
~bep the WHOLE world was CARRIED In
/. dark dismal blue. She had looked
M from her melancholy book Of ser
mons TO discover her niece, Susannah,
smiling radiantly at Martin Wayne's
nortrait in Its shrinelike frame on the
bookcase. Susannah had the grace TO
blush rosily a. her eyes met Aunt Let
tees dispirited glance.
isn't he handsome. Aunt Letticer
she asked daringiy.
"sHandsome Il a. handsome does,'"
ouoted Miss Penneld gloomily. Some
times l have qualms regarding your
future happiness. Marriage II such
lottery you can never tell how ono Of
'em Is going to turn out Sometimes It
seems as II when there's the most rea-
son to expect happiness there comes
the most misery. And 4 doesn't do for
a girl to trust herseif 10 man just b.
cause he Is handsome"
Seems a. II I'd heard something Of
that sort BEFORE" Susannah said
scornfully. Aunt Lettice. rye always
noticed that you have qualms about
everything ON Sunday afternoons, new
er any other time unless its Z rainy
day. do believe It's that horrid
book Of sermons al about everlasting
torment and 20 forth. Now. I'm going
to prescribe cure for your melan-
cholia-therer'
Miss Penfleld gasped a. eusannah
leaned forward. caught the book Of
sermons from her hand and tossed II
page downward into the glowing crate
Ere. The flames ntckered up. and the
ancient and brittle pages curled into
charred fragments The old sheep
skin binding sent q black pillar Of
smoke up the chimney. while 1t smell
ed horrible.
"susannah Penneld." cried her aunt
Indignantly, "see what you have done!
That book belonged to my GRANDPA
Their. VOC know how have cherished
It You are lacking in respect to me
and to your forbears." Miss Penheld
adjusted her gold eyeglasses on her
Roman nose and sailed majestically
toward the door.
and rather frightened Mt her own rash
deed, but Aunt Lettuce was always 30
exasperating on Sunday afternoons
and there had been 10 many Sundays
since Susannah had come to live with
her an orphaned and penniless little
girl
81 am so sorry, Aunt Lettice." cried
susannah remorsefully. II wish I
could undo that mischievous deed"
~ must expect ingratitude from you.
Susannah. 1t u ever thus when one
performs an act Of benevolence. I
have always tried to do my duty BY
you ever since you came to me poor
and friendless, and now you turn and
bite the hand that has caressed you"
Susannah arose and stood before her
aunt. her pretty cheeks pale as white
roses, her gray eyes dilated until they
merged into black.
Aunt Lettuce. what are you say
ing? You exaggerate what ! have
done. I have been grateful for your
kindness-I have tried to be a. q
daughter to you, and now.
Merely because l suggested that
Jour future life with Martin Wayne
might not be all rose color" went on
Miss Penheld In monotonous COM
plant. II couldn't help thinking about
1t when saw Martin paying 20 much
attention to that rich Miss Fearing
not that he needs the money. for he
has plenty Of his own. but
susannah anticipated Miss Penneld's
departure by leaving the room hastily
through the library door. thus adding
insult to the injury she had imposed
upon that austere lady.
Through the gloomy library and tho
dim hall she went, mp the Wide red
earpeted stairs to her own room. whore
she locked the door and sank breath
lessiy into . chair before her writing
desk. Her face was still white. and
her eyes woss . nsw look Of trouble
Before this SAVANNAH had always
brushed her troubles aside. Today
they wers heavy enough She. too.
had observed her lover with Madeline
Fearing. but until Aunt Lsttics's IN
situation Susannah had never enter
tained q doubt Of Martins loyalty.
Now her honest heart was ahame with
5eaiousy and her pride was stung By
Aunt Lettice's taunt
Pen and paper were at hand. and Il
was the work Of an instant to write .
brief note to Martin. breaking Oh the
Engagement and inclosing within the
envelope = tiny box containing the
ring be had given her. Another note
70 Aunt Lettuce announced that hence
forth Susannah would make her own
way in the world and would Try 10
repay little BY little her Indebtedness
20 her aunt 6usannah selected hsf
piainest last years street suit. gather
"a feW nkhn~ wnrSuan rfo1 into = nhnh-