The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-02-03
Misteaaneous.
THE PROMISED KISS.

ess. who was on her knees before my trunk
engaged in admiring my wardrobe while she
chatted. turned Immediately to nv sister.
my dear Julia. we are actually crammed.'
said she. There hasn't been such summer
rush for The Naples since can remember
First came the Athertons and Wilson's; ther
Hattie Lattimer and her sister; then Harry
Vernon, Charlie Wayne. Fred. Lawton, and
and his pretty little cousin, and consequent.
| ly her ardent admirer. Mr.. Maynard.
thought We were certainly full, and james
was Just saying. last night, that We couldn't
possibly accommodate anyobdy else, when q
carriage drove up, and out sprang Hugh
| Cheston."
"Hugh Cheston?' said I my face flushing
"Hugh Cheston % exclaimed my elder ss
ter. Gertrude. who was tumbling over the
contents Of her trunk in search Of some
thing. "Oh. I am delighted"
"He's the best catch l know OF, Louise,
said Julia.
"Well of course he had come 10 spehd a
week or two. and James was just rs glad to
see him us il there wasn't soul in the house
and we had whole suits of rooms replied
Mrs. Analie; but was at my wits ends for
place to put him in. But at last, 70.
membered what good little soul you are,
Matte, and 50 ventured to let him have the
chamber had reserved for you. You won't
think il Imposition, will you, dear?"
"No indeed. can manage capitally with
you. julia" said I.
"It's very good Of you. He's just re.
tnrned from the continent" continued Lou
Use. "(oh, what love Of bertha, Matte y
and brought homo French valet, who is
almost as handsome as his master, and who
is turning the head OF every maid in the
houss. How delightful il is to hear them
talk French-mastcr and man Matte where
did YOU ever find this perfect trimmingW
al haven't seen him for nearly FIVE years, "
said Gertrude: "but used to be desperate.
ly in love with him. Such handsome eyes
as he had 7"
"He is very rich. which is much moro to
the purpose" said Julia, whose twenty six
summers had brought her to appreciate the
practical part Of life. Matte, you homely
little thing" she added, "what are you
dreaming about?"
got up from the floor where | had been
sitting for the last ten minutes, with my hair
about my shoulders, and went to the mirror.
did not want them to see what bright
color there was upon my cheeks.
NY sisters were dressed in q few minutes
more, and went down stairs with Louise.
When the sound Of their voices had died
away, I threw myself upon the carpet BY q
chair and fell to dreaming. Five years befor,'
lit did not seem long-l had seen Hugh
Cheston, and for the only time in my life.
II was on the night Of party given at my
fathers house, in honor Of my sister Ger
trude's eighteenth birth day. Little more
than two years before l had lost my dear
mother, and the idea Of q crowd Of gay peo.
pie thrdnging the room where she had rested
in her coffin on that last sad day, filed my
childish heart with grief and indignation.
But no one took any notice Of me. knelt
there by the window Of my little room, which
was in wing of the house and overlooked
tho terrace Of the main. building-my face
wet with tears. and the most wretched feel
ing | had ever felt. lingering around me.
Suddenly light from the ball room
streaming out broadly upon the darkness. o.
some one drew the window drapery aside.
and an instant afterwards two persons stepped
out upon the terrace. Ii was my sister Ger
trude and u gentleman. could hear their
words plainly as they passed backwards and
forwards. rhcy talked carelessly and gaily
about great many things, some OF which
could understand. but Others could not.
At last was startled by the words OF my
sisters companion.
"What is that ?" he said.
"what?" said my sister. "What do you
mean. Mr.. Cheston?"
81 thought caught glimpse Of child's
face at that window, !" replied the gentleman.
"And If I am not mistaken 1t is wet with
tears"
drew back quickly with beating heart.
but I heard my sister say. oh. 'tis Matte,
my little sister. | suppose. The child Is
averse to our giving this party tonight, and
declares that We are all heartless and forget
ful OF my dear mother. Of course as you
are aware, the idea is very absurd, but no
one could make her believe il, and she has
shut herself up in her room and cried oil
day."
Gertrude had told the truth. These were
just the facts Of the case. II her words had
called forth smile from her companion. |
should have hated him forever: but peeping
carefully from behind the curtain saw his
face as he passed by the lighted window',
and Il was grave and gentle as could have
wished. He made Gertrude no reply.
A iew moments afterwards they stepped
through the window into the room again.
Leaning hack into my old place dropped
my head into my hands and fell to thinking
but not ol my troubles. Suddenly was
startled by hearing my name called. After
q moments bewildered hesitation I leaned
forward and looked ont. Mr.. Cheston was
standing alone upon the terrace.
"Won't you como down moment?" he
said smiling at my frightened face. al want
to talk with you 2"
Springing up, I left the room, and trip
ping lightly down stairs, stepped through
the hall-door upon the terrace and stood be.
fore him with beating heart. He took my
hand, STOPPING down looked kindly into my
face.
"what have you been crying for'" he
said gently.
..You know" replied. laconically.
$50 I do. little Mattie," he said smiling.
"; land called you down because | wished
70 tell YOU that don't think you foolish ut
all, as the Others do. and that I'm very sor-
~ for you.
I allowed him 10 kis me, which was .
liberty I should have Indignantly resented
under any other circumstances.
"In few months I AN going away. ana
ahall Be gone for several years" he said, .i-
ter pause. during which he looked keeniy
but kindly into my downcast face. "Whsn