The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-12-31
her night-gown, and her fierce black eyes
flashed nj me. -----------

her night-gown, and her fierce black eye'
flashed nj me-.
Quite the contraryr she said. 1t wa,
news / was Interested In hearing-and
am deeply indebted to Mr.. Bruir for telling
mo of it.
'Ycs7! i said, in tone Of gentle inter
est
Her fingers went back to the frilling
| and she turned her head sullenly away
from me. j had been met in this manner,
in the course Of plying the good work,
hundreds Of times. She merely stimulat.
ed me Ia try again. In my dauntless zeal
for her welfare / ran the great risk, 'and
openly alluded to her marriage engage,
ment.
News YOU were interested in hearing!'
I repeated. Il suppose, my dear Rachel,
that must be news of Mr.. Godfrey Able
whiteg
She started up In the bed and turned
deadly pale. IL was evidently on the tip
Of her tongue to retort on me with the un-
bridled insolence Of former times. She
checked hcrself-laid her head back on the
pillow-considered a minute-and then
answered in these remarkable words:
I.ShdH nerer marry Mr.. Godfrey Able
uhIe.'
1t was my turn to start at that.
What can You possibly meanT ex-
claimed. The marriage is considered by
the whole family rs settled thing?
MIR. Godfrey Ablewhiteis is expected here
to-day she said. doggedly. Wait till he
comes-and YOU will see.'
.Il,,t ,.,,. .I.a,- D.,baI
She rang the bell Mt the heal of her bed
The person with the cap-ribbons appeared.
Penelope! my bath
Let me give her her due. In the state
Of my mind. at that moment, do sincere
ly believe that she had hit on the only
possible way of forcing me TO leave the
| room.
She came down to breakfast, hut she at,
nothing, and hardly uttered y word.
Afler breakfast she wandered listlcssly
from room to room-then suddenly reused
herself and opened the piano. The music
she selected to play WAS of the most scan
dalously proElne sort, accociated with per
formances on the stage which it curdlc:
ones blood to think of. 1t would bav,
been premature TO interfere with her al
such time rs this. l privately ascertain.
cd the hour at which Mr.. Godfrey Able,
white WAS expected, and then ESCAPED
the music by leaving the house.
Being out alone took the opportunity
OF calling upon my two resident friends
Infinitely encouraged and refreshed turn
ed my steps back again to the house, Ia
excellent time to await the arrival of ON
Expected visitor. | entered the dining
room. always empty ut that hour of tht
day-and found myself face TO face with
Mr.. Godfrey Ablewhite!
He made no attempt 20 fly the place,
Quite the contrary. He advanced tn meet
me with the utmost cagerneSS.
Dear Miss Clack. l have been only
waiting TO see y0u! Chance set me free
of NV London engagements o-,lay sooner
than eNpected-and have got here, In
consequence, earlier than my appointed
time
Not the slightest embarrassment encum-
bercd his explanation. though this was his
first meeting with me after the scene in
Montagu Square. He was not aware, il is
true. of my having been witness Of that
scene. But he knew, on the other hand,
that my attendances Mt the Mothers Small
Clothes, and my relations with friends at
tached To other charities, must have in
formed me of his shameless neglect of his
Ladies' and his Poor. And yet there h,
was before me in full possession OF hi
charming voice and his irresistible smile
Have you seen Rachel vet p
He sighed gently. and took me by the
l II II.
my hand away. II the manner in which he
gave his answer had not paralyzed mt
with aStonishment. ... IT..
4 have seen Rachel he said. with per.
feet tranquility. You are aware, dear
friend. that she was engaged to mei
Well, she has taken u sudden resolution tc
break the engagement. Reflection ha'
conyinced her that she will best consult
her welfare and mine by retracting d
rash promise, and leaving me free t6
make some happier choice elsewhere,
the only answer she will make to every
question that can ask other
What have You done on your side p
inquired. Have YOU submitted p
Yes, -hc said. with the utmost compos
urc. Il have submittc,l.' as
His conduct, under the circumstances
was So utterly inconceivable that l stood
bewildercd with my hand in his. II is a
piece of ru,leness To stare at any body, ant
Il is an act Of indelicacy 10 stare at u gen
tleman. / committed both those inpro,
prietics. And l said. rs IL in dream
What does 1t mean P r..s
Permit me to tell YOU he replied
And suppose we sit down p
| He led me 10 chair. have an indis
tinct rcmcmberance that he was very af.
fcctionatc. Idon't think he put his arm
round my waist 10 support me-but am
not sure. was quite helpless, and hi
ways with ladies were very endcaring
At any rate, we sat down. can answer
for nothing more.
Il have lost n beautiful girl, an excel
lent social position. and handsome in,
come Mr.. Godfrey began and hav,
submitted to IL without u struggle. What
can be the motive for such extraordinary
conduct rs that ? My precious friend
there Is no motive
No motive p I repeated. roo
Let me appeal dear Miss Claek. tc
NOUT tNDtIItiftt VI NiiihiNii' Nv "'hh WI.
a child pursues acertain course oi con
duct. You are greatly struck by IL, AM
YOU attempt to get at the motive. The
dear little thing Is incapable Of telling
YOU its motive. You might rs well ash
the grass why Il grows. or the birls why
they sing Well ! in this matter am
like the dear little thing-likc the grass
| like the birds. don't know why / made
u proposal Of marriagc 10 Mis- verinder.
don't know why | have shamefdlly neg
lectcd my dear ladies. don't know why
have apostatized from the Mothers
Small Clothes. You say TO the child. Why
have you been naughty Aud the little
angel puts its finger into its mouth, and
doesn't know. My case exactly, Miss
Clack couldn't confess Il to any body
else. feel compelled 10 confes, il to yot,
began 10 recover myself. a mental
problem was involved here. l am deeply
Il tntere<fad In mental y,rnhlep,s-anl I ar,