The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-07-02
BIDDEFoRD, ME-, FRIDAY

/ ming thrOugn my Drain anu Denlng IN my noois
IA haunting memory Of the high honor Of our
Winthrop race; and the portrait Of great
aunt, who died before any Of US were born,
hanging on WINS wall, seemed to look me
through and through with stern blue eyes.
That portrait had look Of Nell, 80 people said;
but Nell did not look me through that way.
She seemed rather to shun my gaze when
glanced at her. Perhaps she was cnvious
In came Steve Beldcu, bringing rush Of
fresh air with him, vc1ed at being too late for
the drawing but he had been detained by an
unexpected encounter with an old shipmato ON
the street. Rose danced about before him In her
gaily-broidcred shawl, and Nell pensively allow
ed mother to drapc her In the creamy white.
Steve glanced at me. I smiled, and held up the
coveted lavender.
I'm glad you got the one you wanted,' hO
said, pleasantly.
Now said hospitable Rose, you are all to
stay to tea, Steve Belden and all, and VIC win
have good time. I'm going to make some
French biscuit
So away she few. The rest Of US sat a little
while talking. and then mother went to help
Rose, and win said he had an errand down
street.
Put on your bonnets, girls said Steve to
Nell and me. Put on your bonnets and your
new shawls. There Is just time for q walk be-
fore supper, and shall be proud to have your
company II you viii CO.
Our new shawls! Nell smiled assent, and
slowly rcfolding her white Grape placed II around
her shapely shoulders with the air of q princess.
thought to myself 1t was fortunate wore my
black silk, for the lavender would 60 so nicely
with II and Rose, putting her head in at the
door to sec what we were doing, exclaimed that
I must not wear my old bonnet, but take her
stylish little hat with the ostrich plume. So I
equipped myself, and took sly peep in the mir
ror to be sure that the lavender shawl was really
as becoming as hoped, and then, with fut-
ter in my heart, started out with Nell and Steve,
and was the one nearest to Steve.
We walked down the principal village street.
and then turned of by the wharves-tho
wharves where had played so often as q little
girl, but where now had to walk with careful
dignity for fear of brushing against the damp
barrels and the spars lying there. The Mary
Ann lay at anchor little way out in the har-
Dor, and Steve said the old ship looked more
like home to him than anything else In the
world.
what red sunset we are going to have,
said Nell, looking drcamily seward; the sky
is ruby and cornelian"
1T reminds me- s,id Steve, 'of rcdder sun
set six months ago, the afternoon we set sail
from Hawaii. The men were singing as they
pulled at the ropes, and I joined In the choruses
but I felt lonely enough when the sun went
down. and we had almost lost sight Of the island
and the Albatross lying at anchor, with your
uncle John ON board and Ben Gardiner
'who's Ben Gardincri' asked; for / knew
all the sailors families, and no one Of that
name had ever sailed from our port.
'Oh, Ben shipped from New Bedford re
Piled Steve she and I were just like brothers,
and we hated to part. But the Hawaii owners
gave him every inducement, and he was anx-
ious to get to be captain before coming home ;
30 he staid out
had never been in New Bedford, but Nell
had, and glanced at her to sec II she knew
Ben Gardiner but she appeared not to be lis
tcning she was looking far away eastward,
with flushed checks and parted lips.
.Hc's the best fellow ever saw Steve went
on, enthusiastically 'as brave as q lion and
true as steel. don't believe he ever had
cowardly or dishonest thought In his lifc.'
And steve's eyes kindled as he praised his
friend, while thought to myself did not be-
lievc his friend could possibly be any noblcr
than he. For within these last few days Steve
Belden had suddenly become my one ideal.
But oh, these clinging folds Of the lavender
Grape shawl! They seemed to wrap me away
from him after all. to separate us forever; for
was it not poor dishonest heart beating behind
them which never could bear the clear search.
ing sunshine Of his love. Even II he had loved
me, and that probably he never would now.
Maybe he would love Nell. Oh, how lovely she
was at that very moment, looking wistfully out
over the sea!
what big blue eyes you arc making at the
waves, Georgic,' said Steve, softly, coming q
little nearer 'and your checks are as pink as
the ruse-shells VIC used to gather at the islands,!
Tell me more about Ben Gardiner l said,
desperately, more about how noble he was
Nell looked around rather surprised, and
Steve asked, sobcrly;
why, do you know Ben, Georgicr
NO, don't Inevcr heard Of him before |;
but want to hear about how good he Is because
he Is your friend And with the last word II
dawncd upon me that had better be more care
full Of my speech, but Steve was already answer
ing me.
swhy don't know exactly how TO begin about
him, he said .he Is so unselfsh he Is always
willing to help any one out Of trouble, from
mate down to q monkey. have seen him jump
overheard time and again to save poor creatures
from drowning, and have seen him stop to
take wrctched buzzing fly out Of spiders
web. And you couldn't get him to tell lie,
not for all the mines of Peru. Shall tell you
about the time he was 50 honest and fair, when
VIC were drawing cuts who should have fur
lough on shore, and we were oil pining to set
foot on land once moro, he more than any Of
usf
oh, no, never mini = answered hastily,
with little shivcr walt till VIC Set home. I'm
going to pick up these little scalOp-shells there
ON the sand
they're only dead Oncs,' said Steve. I have
some beauties in my chest will bring you To-
morrow
Some back, George. Don't 20 down on the
-. - ..lls,l Elcanor after me syou'll spot