Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-02

C4DeAe3 UN o. summer ID tuo Hcaft VI the
BLEAK New England winter. Scattered
around were the German books that she
had been studying with Winthrop. Teach
ef and pupil, "a pleasant pretense that so
,oten wells the transition of liking into
loving. Hope took up one OF the BOOKS
with = menacing air, Us If she would IKE
to send 1t crashing through the window
slid out into the snowdrifts.
The next moment she smiled at ner loic
". am not going to care, she SAID, nan
aloud ,.'but it Is beginning life over
again."
The solitude of her room grew irksome.
She rejoiced at the prospect OF COMPANY
For. awhile, at least, she might forget.
She dressed herself in the dainty, new
garnet cashmere, with its ruffies and foids
and fringe, and, in the firm belief that her
happiness was forever ruined, went down
to meet her friends. Hope was not what
is called beautiful-a sweet, simple digni-
ty and grace Of manner constituting hef
chief atttac,ion but to-day excitement
lent her a rare charm. She had singu-
lar feeling of exultation now; it was like
reaaining freedom after long subsection.
As Aimira conjectured, 1.-The kindred
were all on hand to-day at AIaplewood.
Hope kept up bravely until sunset, when
the procession of old folks departed, and
the big sleigh came to take the merry
young folks to the ball. Hnpe was not
persuaded to accompany them. In truth,
she was very tired. The temporary ex-
element that had supported her in the
presence of her friends was fast failing,
and she longed to be alone. Long after
her guests departed, she stood at the win
dow, gazing idly out upon the hills, and
responding 50 absently to Almira's cease
less chatter that the maid of honor took
offence, and went in high dudgeon to her
own domain. The shadows lcngthened.
The great purple clouds and strips of tan
gled orange network faded into gray.
Night came on-clear, cold and star-lit.
As time wore away. so also did Hopes
heroic resolutions She had sighed for
romance in her life, but having it come in
this way was.not at all delightful. She
would have given great deal to restore
matters to their former hum-drum happy
condition.
Sitting there in the darkness, alone and
miserable, the sound of distant sleigh bells
made her tremble. Nearer they approach
and nearer. Suppose it Is he!n was
Hopes swift reflection. "But l will not
see him | cannot see him !" In spite OF
this decision there was shvering sense
of happiness at the possibility of his COM
ing. 1t needed several reminders of the
obnoxious Jenny Phillips to strengthen
her determination. She wandered irreso-
lutely from room to room and finally
turned her steps toward the little library
The fire was dying on the hearth: the
dill rod ooo1a vinfr ial- aIl
among the few charred sticks remaining.
curtains and closed blinds. Hope threw
open the window and then paced reckless
~ up and down.
Up the long hill sleigh was coming
toward the house, the bells jingling conf
IDENTIFY as In echo to the song in the mans
heart. But what was the reason that no
welcoming light greeted him? The house
doomed before him, dark and forbidding
"Can she have gone with the others to
the ball? ?" was the newcomers gloomy
reflection. He fingered for few min-
utes doubtfully, and then turned his
horses head. Hope threw open the shut
tiers. The frosty night air that had been
stealing into the room had frightened the
slumbering Goals. They We're now spark
ling and winking at each other us whe
should say. eve see how all this is going
to end" Soon the charred stick caugh,
the infection, and shot up into significant
flames. One more look, Winthrop Ellis
before you 60 down the hill! There was
a bright glow from the library window,
and in the light was revealed Hope wait
ing.
"You are alone!" was the Incompetence
sible greeting that the young man receiy-
ed.
"Why. whom did you expect with me %
was his wondering reply.
Winthrop's thoughts, however, were 10
busy with his own story to heed Hopes
sudden confusion ado you remember
what Almira is so fond Of saying?" he be-
gan. "There's good time coming if
one will only wait long enough. | dare
10 think that my waiting is nearly ended.
The opportunity that have long been
striving for has at last unexpectedly pre-
sented itself, and have partnership in
Boston with" and he mentioned Il
well-known name. "Do you know what
this means to me, Hope ?-position, infiu-
ence, name and a-home! But all is
nothing without you, Hope. May ! not
build substantially certain beautiful air.
castle of mine P"
A few simple. earnest words followed,
the foundation, doubtless, of the contem-
plated architectural
but Jenny Phillips? p stammered I'M
reasonable Hope.
Jenny Phillips" repeated Winthrop.
surprised in his turn. The truth seemed
to dawn upon him. Jenny Phillips is in
Boston. where, suppose, She is buying
all sorts of wedding iinery. She happened
TO leave Brookiield the same day us my
self. She has been engaged for some
time to a gentleman who has been travel
ing the past year in Europe. His return
is daily expected, when her secret will be
secret no longer She dreaded Brook
field gossip, Or this fact would have been
known before"
"HOw foolish have been :" was HOPES
dolOrous confession for the second time
that day.
Little by little Winthrop wrested from
her the history of her imaginary wrongs.
''Oh, the logic of woman! - exclaimed the
happy lover with playful concet. you
would never have caught man jumping
at conclusions in that style,'
Hone wac tno hann1, ;,,s, ito, a., o.,.....,