The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-02-03
BE TRUE. AND FAITHFUL AND VALIANT FOR
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY MORNING,
because a kiss given in that way would be

"Because kiss given in that way would bt
of little value" said Mr. Cheston.
"I consider that very unkind speech,
coming Us It does from the lips of man who
Ia we'll aware that kisses are ladys favoritt
bribe," replied Gertrude, flushed, but laugh
ing. at Is most ungallant speech. Mr.,
Cheston, you must stand trial Tor punish
ment." ...
"I will make It short by choosing Rose
Lawton for my judge" he replied, laughing
and glancing up into the smiling eyes Of the
little beauty.
"Your chastisement shall DO to oonfesl
whom you kissed last" said she gaily.
"That Is not fair" he said.
"Why?" she demanded, quickly.
"Because," said he, the lady is present
and the punishment would fall rather upon
her than me-" Wheroupon, they oil burst
into merry laugh.
"well then. you can tell whom you intend
to kiss next" said Rose.
"That will not do, NEITHER" said he, al
should never be able to put my intentions In
to effect"
"Do you keep an account Of your kieses as
you do Of your expenses, Cheston f~ealled
out Mr.. Maynard.
eyes" replied Mr.. Cheston. quietly.
SHOW I have it" cried Rose Lawton.
"You shall tell US how many ladies you have
kissed during the last Eve years."
81 will do %, on condition that my word
shall not be doubted" said he gravely.
We will believe you, certainly, said Rose.
SHOW listen, good folks
"Not one" said Mr.. Cheston, quietly; up.
on which everybody looked astonished.
"Oh. Mr.. Cheston, you amaze US ~ cried
Rose.
"Hugh is probably faithful to some fair
lady who favored him BEFORE" said Mrs.
Analie. who had been listening quietly for o
few moments.
"Exactly," said Mr.. Cheston. rising with
q bow, and turning away to some one who
called him impatiently.
Oh, the significant glances and exclama-
tions Of wonder that were circulated through
the group after his departure!
"And what are you thinking OF, little
mouse ?" said Mrs. Wilson, bending towards
me. "Your cheeks are as red rs roses"
She would have been overwhelmed with as
tonishment II had told her.
Three weeks had passed, and Mr. Cheston
and were on no moro intimate terms than
we had been on that irst evening. We rare
ly met except at the table or in the drawing
room of IN evening and he seldom addressed
me when we did meet. By degrees | over
came nv sensitiveness and shyness regarding
him. He had forgotten, thought. the ro.
mantle incident Of my childhood, which had
always such charm for me, and wondered
at myself for ever supposing that he had re-
it beyond the moment 1t made
me o. little sad to know that all my pleasant
thou ghts concerning 1t were castles In the
air and slightly humiliating. taken In con-
nection with his polite indifference to me, to
know that those thoughts were so many.
MIR. Cheston was a great lion among the
party ut "The Naples" The ladies liked
him; the gentlemen were jealous OF him.
while they strove to initiate him. My sister
declared privately that she was sc.
10 lave with him. Everybody talked
ofhim; everybody admired him, either 90
cretly or openly.
The summer wore gradually away. Seve-
raj of our PARTY had returned home, and one
clear September morning Mr.. Cheston inform
cd Mr.. Analie at the breakfast table that he
should be Obliged to return to town the next
II frightened me to know how
shocked and pained was. and at the first
rose and left the room.
That evening, when the drawing room was
deserted by the faw that remained of the gay
company, and could hear their voices far
down the moonlit park. strolled into the
dark, silent room, and sat down upon
cushioned window seat. Instantly some one
started up in the dusky light, and coming
forward sat down beside me. 1t was MIR.
Cheston.
"Mattie," said he. al intend going away
before six o'clock tomorrow morning, and
shall probably not see you again." | did
not reply and he continued-"Haven't q
right to ask for goodbye kiss?
The lsght was not so dim hut that could
zoe laughing light in his eyes.
"You have right which the promise OF a
child gives you, suppose, replied, some
what annoyed by his light manner. TWAS
30 little for him to say goodbye to me. II
was 80 much for me to say good bye to him.
"A child in years yJu certainly were, Mat
tie, but more Of a woman ut heart. than
twice your age" he said Doyou
know that you made conquest OF me, little
one, when you kissed me upon tho terrace in
the darkness that night 2"
"A conquest Z" said, startled.
81 carried away that kiss with me-" he
replied. II loved the remembrance Of II rs
did my life. would not have parted with
L for all the wealth In the world. for II was
, sweet hope on which hung all my light for
The future. The lips OF no other woman
have pressed 10 mine since then. said to
myself that until kissed another your kiss
remained. Do you understand"
My eyes were full Of tears. but I tried to
mile.
"You were sweet child. Msttie." he con-
Iinued, sand have grown into sweet wo-
nanhood-such woman as l have been wait
ing to Hnd that might marry. Now | ask
you for that promised kiss, and II you give It
10 me shall take It for granted that you
give me yourself with It,"
Mr.. Cheston was sure OF what had nev.
sr acknowledged to myself-my love for him.
| felt Il in the confident clasp Of his hand (; I
nw IL In the confident glanccs OF his eyes (;
md content, that he should read the heart
,f which he was so certainly tho master,
acted my simple sell aud gave him "Tho
Kis."
- A vestarn paper publiahes tbe follov.