Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-12-04
Asking For
Ellen
How She Tested Their
Mettle
BY cLARIssA MAcKIE

uFuSHeu II grain OI uust ITOu MS pale
mauve coat sleeve and glanced nerv-
ously at Ellen Dugane.
Nellie he began softly.
"Ellenw corrected Miss Dugane loft
lily.
But Steve Morris calls you Nellie"
protested Harold Indignantly.
rs your name Steve Morris" de-
manded Ellen.
'of course it isn't. Well. if you will
treat fellow that way when he's
asking you to marry him
is that what you're trying to do?"
interrupted Ellen Dugane, with mis-
chievous eyes.
OF course 1t is" responded the tor
mented Harold, hopping his brow
with snowy handkerchief, yet vague
ly relieved that the phrasing of the
momentous question was not now nee
essary. "Will your
"Will II" unused Ellen Dugane,
pressing a slender forefnger against
her white forehead where her dark
curling hair grew low over straight
black brows and blue Irish eyes.
why should l marry you, HaroldT
Because l love you, Ellen. Isn't
that enoughT' he asked boldly.
ut might be enough for you, but it's
not enough for me-" decided Ellen.
Harold's long, pale face heightened
with disappointment. But he be-
gan when Ellen faced him with a
queer light in her eyes.
you've met my father, haven't
you?" she demanded.
Yes" wavered Harold.
well, you go and ask father II you
can marry me. If he says Yes I'll
do It" Ellen resumed the slow rock
ing of her chair.
Il don't know him." protested
Harold-"that is, not very well. I've
met him only once"
when was that"
an the hall one evening last week.
He was coming In just as / was going
out. He seemed to be put out about
something" Harold's tone was remi-
niscent of past unpleasantness.
Ellen giggled Il thought it was
some one else who was put out" she
cried significantly. There. you needn't
be minding my jokes Harold. Only
was saying you've met pa-you go and
ask him If you can marry me, and If
he says Yes I'll do 1t"
I'm not afraid Of Mr.. Dugane," an
nounced Harold with all the bravado
he could summon to down the grim
recollection of the great brawny black
smith whom he had met in the little
front hall one evening.
Ellen looked little anxious as she
watched her sutton striding briskly
down the street toward the edge of the
village. where her fathers smthy stood
beside the road, convenient to the ne
cessities of the farmers as they went
to and fro.
81 wonder-I wonder if Harold will
dare to go and talk to pa" unused Ellen
doubtfully as Harold's dapper little
form disappeared from her view. If
he does Her fair face paled as she
thought of the result either way.
That was on a Saturday afternoon,
and for Harold Spencer it had happen
ed to be a half holiday from the store.
1t was also a half holiday for Steve
Morris, young market gardener, who
had also been paying court to Ellen
Dugane. Now he drove up to Ellen's
door In a shiny top buggy drawn by a
glistening black mare named Nellie.
A few minutes later Ellen and Steve
were driving toward the mountain
road. Ellen with deep flush on her
cheeks that had not been there before.
Steve was a handsome, black haired,
black eyed young man with strong
chin and a resolute mouth that was
very tender now as he looked down at
the face of the girl beside him.
Nellie" he half whispered Nellie,
look at me"'
But Ellen's fair, rosy face was turn
ed away toward the distant hills.
"Do you name you don't want to"
he insisted.
II don't mind looking at you, Steve,
only-only I have to be fair to every
body" said Ellen in a distressed tone.
All the coquetry was gone, and she
was only a girl being wooed by the .
man she loved. In the instant she had
what Steve Morris meant /
to ask her that afternoon she realized
that in fairness to Harold Spencer,
whom she had sent on hopeless
quest to her father, she must withhold
her answer to Steve until Harold had
proved his valor. She wished she had
not been so sure of the slim youths
4
"You have to be fair to everybody,
iarlin'? What do you mane?" Steve's
lrm was stealing around Ellen's slim
waist
TN marry you If father says Yes"
,reathed Ellen quickly. you go and
lsk father. and IL he says Yes I'll
marry you"
1.-The divil you will" quoth the as
onished and indignant Mr.. Morris,
his arm. I'm not ask