Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1924-07-02
GRANDMOTHER'S
DREAM OF LOVE
BY JANE GORDON
- - n - . . . . - =, "a ~ - q. - - . =. .
20, 1929, Western Newspaper UnionO


guarded her with Spartan firmness.
Elspeth's mother long ago had dared to
marry the man of her choice. When
her own tiny daughter was to be left
alone in the world Elspeth, the mis-
guided daughter, wrote asking her
mothers protection for the child
1t was the doctor who attended Els
beth In her last hours who brought the
infant namesake to her grandmother's
home The child had grown up happily,
deserving the kindly care lavished up
| on her, but not deserving the espionage
which barred her from much innocent
youthful pleasure.
Grandmother Grayson was deter
mined that second unhappy marriage
should not blight the life of her
charge. And as years passed the young
Elspeth was obliged to leave school,
that she might give undivided care to
her now invalided grandmother. Her
days were spent industriously, with but
occasional evenings in youthful society.
Her friend, Lucy Wells, came as often
as She might, to drive Elspeth to her
own cheerful home for an evenings en-
tertalnment.
On a certain moonlit evening the
faithful granddaughter went joyously
to drive with Lucy's brother to Lucy's
home.
With all grandmother's vigilance the
young woman, with her dancing blue
eyes, her bright, happily contagious
manner, had acquired a sweetheart.
Bob Wells was very much and very
honestly in love with his sisters
friend. And so, at the top of the hill,
just where the moon shone it's bright
est, Bob caught Elspeth in his arms
nnd kissed her. Moreover, she did not
resist, but, as loving child might have
done she raised her own arms TO en-
circle the young mans neck, gazing
into his eyes in understanding trust At
this moment of absorption in them
selves they were unaware of John
Trouts machine crossing the hilltop,
unaware of his astonished and abrupt
stopping. But John Trout had wit
messed all that he wished to see and,
turning promptly, made his way to
the village and to the home of Mrs.
GraySon.
GrandmotherS wrinkled face whit
ened, her crippled hands shook in agi-
cation. Il will speak to Elspeth," she
said. When the informer was gone
her mouth closed sternly. SO Elspeth of
her conscientious care was one of the
4 bn, ho1i
and it was the new car of Bob Wells,
of course, which made the rashness
possible. He would be forbidden the
house.
Weary with her sad surmisings, poor
grandmother fell asleep. She seemed
to hear, as she lay with closed eyelids,
a tinkle Of sleigh bells; to see bright
eyed young woman in quaint fur cloak
and bonnet run lightly to the roadside
where a Gutter" waited. The young
man who had assisted this girl of an
olden time into his sleigh bent tenderly
to tuck the fur robes about her; they
We're off down moonlit road, to the
music of jingling bells. Around a
sharp corner, the sleigh almost fitting
in the deep Snow-a girls laughter, the
mans echoing. A joy ride? The young
woman of that flying sleigh never
heard the term; a joyous ride, certain
ly. AT the top of Comber hill, the trees
making shadows in the silvery light,
the young man who had tenderly
tucked the robes about his merry COM
panion now leaned close to fold her in
his arms-to kiss her soundly. Pres
ent-day rashness? All, mol A far past
day; no car-just an old-fashioned.
cozlly-close sleigh. 1t had been Uncle
George, going his homeward way, who
saw the caress and FASTENED on to tell
Elspeth's mother. The young man had
not been permitted to see her again.
AS well, naybe-Grandmothe doing
before the CRATE, could not know. She
had married later, when she was no
longer young, worthy man, and had
been happy until her own stern rule
had driven her, the daughter, to run
away with her unworthy lover
The sitting room door opened softly.
Grandmother was not sure for a mo-
HIGht WIZ Stppl DtlOIC OtliGI
girl of long ago, with the bright dream
in her eyes so soon to be destroyed,
coming home from her moonlight cut
ter drive-to beg leniency-denied?
Grandmother" said the present-day
Elspeth softly, Il did not intend to be
so late. The night was glorious and
Bob drove me the long way, both going
and coming from Lucy's. Have you
been lonely?"
The old woman sat up and took her
granddaughter face in her hands In
her dimmed eyes grew wistful light.
"No, dear, I've not been lonely-with
my dream. Ellie, tell me-you love
this young man? He loves you"
The girl caught her breath. THAT is
true" she replied. "But 1t shall make