Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-12-12

70. 1873 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate)

90, 1928. by Mcclure Newspaper Synd1cate.)
npUT-ny dear, Ellen is only
~ twenty-five, and John Baxter
must surely be"
Hes forty-eight, but what of it?'
Mrs. Gray's sharp little eyes peered de-
family into the shoc face of her visi-
tor. ELLEN is dependent. She may
never get another opportunity like this;
and Baxter is-in many ways-suitable.
Ellen will be able to indulge herself to
her hearts content. she will have
jewels, fine clothes, travel. How could
she attain these things except by
marrying money!"
The little lady with the gray hair and
sympathetic eyes looked troubled. II
know that from the standpoint of
wealth Baxter is eligible. But, after
all what is the real value of money?
Can it purchase love? Can it buy real
and lasting happiness|'
Money" said Mrs. Gray, emphatical-
lv, "can buy even love and happiness.
Money is the most important thing in
life. My niece will be happy. l have
no regrets about having Influenced her
for her own good. am glad she has
me to thank for wealth such as a girl
in her position never dreamed Of"
Mrs Grafton shook her head doubt
fully. "You are making mistake.
Adele" said she, as she rose and drew
on her gloves. money is an important
factor-a wonderful possession. But
there is limit to the things it can do
You are unnecessarily making sacri-
flee of Ellen. With her youth and good
looks she can afford to wait"
81 disagree" said Ellen's aunt, with
a decisive movement Of her hand. II
have done the right thing by my niece.
and Ellen will find it out"
"There is no knowing what Ellen will
find out" said Mrs. Grafton, thought
fully. "Well, goodbye, and I hope
hope the dear child will be happy"
81 have no doubts on that score" an
swered Mrs. Gray. Goodbye, and
don't worry"
Seven years had passed since Ellen's
marriage Seven years of fitting from
summer resort to winter resort, from
Europe to America, from North to
South. East to West; the enved OF
friends and acquaintances, and the
boosted pride of Aunt Adele. On the
eighth anniversary of her marriage FL
lens daughter was born, a fair-haired
little creature, with heavily frnged VIC
let eyes and rosebud mouth. Ellen
took the greatest pride in her, spent
many hours in the nursery for the
sheer JOY Of looking at her.
"A very sweet little heiress," said
| Aunt Adele.
"a treasure of baby" declared
| Mrs. Grafton, when she came to see
| Ellen two months after the infants
] arrival.
Ellen smiled wistfully. Mrs. Grafton
was panied to see tears in her eyes.
Dear friend" said the young moth
ar, TREMENDOUSLY, 81 am afraid-afraid.'
"Of what, my childY' asked Mrs,
| Grafton. She had no children of her
| own, and had gone to school with Ell
| Ions mother.
"I-dont know. OF losing her, sup
| pose"
Don't be absurd, honey said Mrs.
| Grafton. "There is no reason why you
| should be afraid"
"Of course Pm a silly. Aunt Adele
says l ought to be the happiest woman
| In the world. I suppose l am, really,
| especially since baby came" She bent
| forward and kissed Mrs, Gratton's
wrinkled cheek. "I'll try not to in
dulge in any fancied sorrows"
A year later saw Mrs. Grafton in
| Ellen BaXter's sumptuous home again,
greeting pitiably white and trem-
bling hostess. In the older woman's
arms the flood of her grief broke loose,
| and Ellen's tears, interspersed with
| broken sentences, poured forth tumul-
| tu0usly.
"You see, dear friend, before l mar
| ried John, Aunt Adee assured me that
with so much money | could not help
being happy. l was afraid, because
| John was so much older than I. But
he seemed fond of me- and Aunt Adele
| said It was all right. Oh Pm not com
planning. John was very, very KIND,
hut Johns money couldn't save my
baby, my sweet, precious little baby,
and there doesn't seem to be anything
n life to look forward to.
ooh, why did Aunt Adele say THAI
| money could make everything right? |
! really didn't care for that trampng
round the world. The things that
money brought me were such useless,
trivial things. But my baby-almost
| every poor woman has a child, anG
| mine-mine couldn't be saved! What
| Nh what, is the value of money?'
Mrs. Grafton silently allowed her to
weep and talk, knowing that that
! would be the salvation of the over
! charged heart and brain.