Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1924-01-16
TIE UNSEEN HAND
BY MARTHA B. BARTLETT

| %, 1928 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate)
n LONG the river road came a shin
| Ia ing dark-red sedan on its way
| to a tavern, ten miles distant rear
| light showed that the car was about
| to stop. The man, over forty, fastidi-
| Gus in dress and cynical of expression,
muttered softly, pronouncing name
| not listed in any geography The
young girl, beautiful of face and form,
| looked inquiringly at her companion.
Engine trouble" he elucidated, after
| examination, "and no gas, either
| Deuce of a fix, Two miles from d fill
| ing station. Not a house in sight
where I could leave you while go
for help"
The girl peered through the shad-
| ows. "Whv!' she exclaimed "there
| is tiny white cottage, almost hidden
| near the wintrow. l can easily stay
there until you return"
Five minutes later arrangements
were made faithful st. Bernard
| was Quoted by the white-haired woui-
an. She laid aside the slippers she
| was knitting and busted herself with
| making tea for the unexpected guest.
and deftly spread small table.
Now, dearie." the woman smiled
| cheerily, "come right up to the table
| Do you like it strong or weak. and do
! you take cream and sugar? I'm so
| glad to have company. I was Just
| about to prepare supper when You
knocked. How long will your hus-
| band be gomez
The eyes of the girl grew black with
| emotion and her cheeks famed. "He
is not my husband not yet-but-
but"
Some time, perhaps!" then noting
the flushed face, 81 beg your pardon:
did not mean to be inquisitive."
"Oh, Won are not" the girl cried
81 want to talk to someone about It.
We are to be marred-that is, If he
can obtain a divorce But, at any
rate, pc can be such wonderful
friends He is travelling salesman
he often comes to my Office in the city,
| whore | am employed as a stenogra-
| phcr. We go to dinners and theaters
! together. And his wife? Oh she is
impossible. Now my father and
mother have lived in harmony for
twenty-five years. Mother delights to
| make pies and dOughnuts for father
md to darn his socks. But this man
| has no. such hNpniness. lie tells no
| that he cannot live without me aNd
often quotes: All for love, and tn"
world well lost"
The woman leaned toward the gin
"And was there never anyone else
someone nearer your own age?"
ooh, yes, down home. He was my
ideal-fne, clean, ambitious, but stub
born. So we quarreled. I wanted a
sapphire and diamond engagements
ring and he said he could not afford
! it. However, he must have had
money, for they tell me he has built
a bungalow Oh well"-the girl lifted
her head defqntlv-"ths other man
gave me a rim. Look :" and she cx-
Eibited a glowing sapphire
The wOm@ns face was very grave
Methodically She cleared the table and
F., returned the silver to a closet in the
wall, Tmpulsivcly She opened the door
to a tiny room, and invited the girl
70 enter.
On high table, not unlike an altar,
We're two lifr-size portraits Above
them shaded electric light glowed
softly.
The girl stared at the mars picture
with WIDE uni lieving eyes. No, it
could not beet it was unmistak-
able
Your husband?" inquired the girl,
family.
81 thought he was" answered the
woman 1--WE went through Il mar
rage ceremony, lived with him two
years, lonesome most of the time, for
he was away-on business so he told
me, Then enc day a lady in sii''s and
furs drove to my door, She proved
that my marriage was illc~N, and
hat she was Indeed the Iav ful wife
She brought M to this ulac, gave mo
money to start anew, and ! have heon
here ever since.
"At first l longed to die, but my
baby girl, with her soft, warm arms
!. helped me to live. This is her pie
turn"
And the u'tlo "irl-where is she
now?"
The woman closed her eyes rs If in
sunnlication for strength. Drawing
aside the lace curtains, she pointed
80 Waite slah, ra.Gfy discernible in
'Ne GNihNr'rg da"';nCss. Swift, hot
tears rushed to the eyes of the young
girl.
I'VE VI 60" tho woman whispered
81 keep this room as on inner shrine.
l have never shown Ii before. Now,
perhaps, you WoG!t. Ike to look at
ny haH'i"'or',> so"othing cheerful,
after making YOU cry"
Perhaps the girl did not hear; she
was busly writing. She ran to the