Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-21
NO. a..

| DfaSS lamp ana a tlny vase full OF v1OletS;
scattered about the room were simple
chairs-cane seated, green-iramed. Plants
bloomed in the open window, through
which the sun came steaming, and out
side, one saw only the stately walls and
spire of the church, and the waving
boughs of trees. A clock, its common
frame made beautiful by exquisite paint
ing designs, stood on carved walnut
brackets q rack of open shelves held
modest supply Of china. A tiny stove
and sink were marked by second screen,
covered with white canvas, on which was
painted Gothic scroll and leaf work;
through its mazy lines grotesque mon
sters peered and writhed themselves.
A chrome IN grsse partoM frame, some
sunlit glowing scenes in Italy, and a few
of Dicks designs, formed our picture
gallery. Through door beyond bed
chamber was visible, sshadeless, spotless
and still.
:" Do you like it, Dame Troi 2' asks
Dick, bending his stately head very near
mine.
Like it? l think there was never any
room SO charming. And l know You did
those lovely decorations and made that
killing gscreen--confess now"
" Yes: we "' keeps painter" says
Dick, laughing; =" but he can only work
Oft hours, unluckily."
Then that was what made you SO late
every evening this month and l was so
cross, and accused you of neglecting me,
| when all the time you were working for
me, OH y and l hid my, face in his waits
coat, profoundly ashamed of myself
why didn't you tell me? What hor-
rid pig you must have thought me!'
don't know why or wherefore, but
my first proceeding thereafter was to sit
down and enjoy good, sound, old fash
ioned cry; uprising from which, refreshed
like DR.. Watts rose after the shower, /
betook myself to the task of unpacking
my wardrobe, which Dick had sent from
Aunt Becky's the day before. / took off
my gray straw bonnet with its lilac rib
bons, and the pale gray silk, my best, and
my wedding gown, and hung those. festal
garments in the closet; it seemed like tax
ing possession of my home, that first be-
stowal of my garments: Then, with a
joyful little cry of Richard, darling, to
think it should be true, and / am your
wife y go about with my work singing
gayly as n lark, the melody of heart
content "
g Dame Trot," said Dick to me one
evening, late in October, II wish could
go in for this competition at Philadelphia
1t would be q thousand dollars in my
pocket, to begin with, if my designs are
accepted, and the commission on the
building besides, to say nothing of other
work following it."
"What is it, old man ?" | asked resting
my chin on his shoulder as he sat, leaning
on the table.
Why, this, don't you see?n pointing
to circular letter he had received, inyit-
ing architects to furnish plans for GER
tain public building
"Well why don't you go in? OF
course you can cut the old stupids out in
a minute" said confidently.
I've no objection to try and accom-
plich that desirable end, certainly; but
how the dickens are we to live in the
meantime 1t viii be six weeks hard
work to get out the plans. and shan't be
making a cent and I've just got twenty
five dollars in the world at present"
And Dick crammed his hands into both
pockets with long and dubious whistle.
s. How lucky resisted that black silk
last June = thought, and slyly unfasten-
ing from the bosom of my dress where
had kept it pinned all this time for safety,
the little chamois bag. Iheld it demurely
before his eyes, saying, - Small contribu-
tions thankfully received, l suppose
"Why, Dame Trot, what's this ?" and
unfastening the strings, five shining eagles
are poured out on the table. '' Fifty dol
lars Where did you get it?
" ConJured it, of course; don't know
I'm fairy?"
No-but seriously"
curled my arms about his neck, and
told him the story of poor fathers little
legacy, and how had saved half for some
good use.
. Oh my pet my darling All your
money that you have saved so long !!
can't take it from you, little birdie"
Nonsense! | saved it tor you. Be-
sides, consider it very good specula-
ton, to make thousand dollars out of
fifty"
9 But if lose the competition"
"You won't lose it. know you will
win it for me, Dick, because" and here,
with crimson face. and the smallest
mewlet of q voice, | whisper in his ear
something which makes him start, and
his brown eyes flash with joy and triumph )
Then he takes me very closely to his
heart, saying, in low broken voice
half pain, half exceeding love- God
bless my darling! God keep her, and
long silent kiss finishes the sentence.
Think we both worked at those draw
ings. Day and day, for long six weeks,
when housework was ended, | drew my
chair besides Dicks and sat perching there
with my feet on the rung, after the fash
ion of little people, watching him, and
silently praying for his success; as line
upon line, first rough sketch, then careful
elevation, section and ground plan. and
lastly, the finished perspective drawing,
elaborately worked up and colored.
emerged frem under his steady, practised
hand. I'm sure he couldn't have thought
harder or more over those famous plans
than had.
Then came week-two weeks-of
breathless suspense, for at me least; and
then. one joyous afternoon, when Dick,
who had gone ntlooking haggard and anx-
ious, came flying up stairs and into the
sitting-room, waving slip OF paper, and
ShoutinO SO HuZza like any schoOl-bOy.