Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1919-02-12

up at the hotel. l suppose you are
still with your aunt. I'm awfully glad
that l may have another chance to see
you before we leave for California.
VIII your aunt let me run in some
evening. just as used to do when you
We're home? Please write as soon as
possible.
ever your friend,
ROBERT EUSTIS."
Seems like good, straightforward
letter, Aunt Hudah murmured. HUI
dab won't be home till tomorrow night
but there! It would be all right for
me to tell him of my mistake, and in
vite him anyway. I wonder, and a visit
full look came into Aunt Huldah's face
she wondered if he knew about the
other Robert. Signing a little, she
wrote a note inviting Huldah's friend
for the next evening.
Next morning, she tried to forget the
past, and resolutely put her thoughts
upon the present--Huldahs return,
and the coming of the expected guest.
Early in the afternoon she was ar
ranging great bunch of roses in the
living room, when the door bell rang
loudly. much too early for either of
my young folks" thought Aunt Hull
dab, as she answered it.
The figure at the door was no longer
young. with its broad shoulders and
well-set head. crowned with curling
gray hair. Miss Huldah gave one
glance at the clear, searching blue
eyes; then gasped: Robert I" "Yes."
said the man at the door, you invited
me. and I came"
Yes. here he was after long years,
with pleading in his voice, as he an
swered her half whispered words. "the
invitation was intended for another"
with Il know. Huldah-I know it was
my boys. and I had no right to it.
And | won't cross your threshold till
you say I may"
Miss Huldah softened. Come in"
she said gently, "and I will explain :;
also | want to hear about you-and the
other Robert" ''There is not much
to tell" he said, seating himself
by the vine-wreathed window. "Shall
l begin where we left off, Huldah?"
please" she said. bravely. and the
man at her side began his story.
81 left you with my heart full of an
ger, Huldah. know now that I was
in the wrong, and I ask your forgive
ness. Then I went West and tried to
forget you by digging away at a stead
lily growing law practice. One day,
looking over an Eastern paper saw
the notice of the marriage of Edward
Thompson and Huldah Merriam"
cousin Huldah," Miss Merriam
gasped. 81 thought of no one but you
then" was the reply 'Later on
met a lovely little California girl,
whose love for me healed the old
wound a little. Robert was born, and
both our hearts were bound up in him.
few years ago she slipped away
from us, and since then have lived
solely for my boy. Otherwise, my life
seems an empty one. That is all, HUI
dah-or at least it was until today,
when I opened Rob's letter by mistake,
and saw the dear old name in the old
handwriting. looking back at me.
Could you forgive me. Huldah, and let
me begin all over again."
Miss Huldah's eyes were misty. and
her voice trembled but she laid her
hand on the judges with a womanly,
comforting touch. I'VE were both too
hasty," she said. you were hot-tem-
pered. and I was proud. And |
have been lonely all these years. It
was terrible mistake, we can't bring
back the old lost days, but" 1--WE
may see many glad ones in the fu-
ture," said the judge softly. And after
her whispered Eyes" no more words
We're needed. At last Miss Huldah
thought of her niece, and the invited
guest. 81 must see about dinner" she
laughed, Twill you stay, Robert, seeing
that your son, whom invited here to-
day, will no doubt accompany you
homer" "Poor Bob" chuckled the
judge, what will he say when he finds
that I opened that precious letter."
What he did say was made known
later in the evening, when the two
Young people devoted themselves TO