Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-06-01

then arustling breeze, cool, and perfumed
stole in like an unseen bird. He listened, |
soothed and rested by the solemn, soaring
music, to the playing of the organ before
the service, and in the long hush that fol-
lowed, when any word would have seemed
like an intrusion, he turned his head slight
~, and saw the face that was perpetually
enshrined in his heart!
Helen Ashley sat on the other side of
the church, clad in mourning. The stat
uesque form, the peculiar grace of every
movement, how familiar, and how beau
tiful /! He could not help studying her face,
the same, and yet changed. A soft rose
flushed her cheek, her mouth was sweet.
and full of sensibility. The one charm
heretofore lacking to perfect her beauty
was supplied. She was marble before,
pure and exquisitely chiseled; now she
was like Pygmalion's statue, warmed and
thrilled with life. She did not turn toward
him, and he could look unrebuked. Only
love could work such a transformation.
He had renowned her long ago. and was
surprised at the sharp pain of jealousy that
penetrated his heart at the thought that
another could wake to music the chord in
her nature which he had sought in vain to
touch
He did not inquire of himself why he
felt it to be duty to call upon her as soon
as possible. 1t seemed the most natural
thing in the world to cross in the twilight
the little grassy space between the houses.
He did not question, he did not try to an
alyze the irresistible impulse that led him.
a spirit in my feet
Has led me--who knows how?
To thy chamber window, sweet"
Helen received him cordially, and once
seated in her presence he forgot the lapse
of time, his sorrow, his remuneration; but
he was older, firmer, more manly now, he
would risk nothing rashly.
She seemed to feel less the weight of ex-
pcrienee, was sweeter, more womanly
than before. She talked easily and well,
but with little nervousness, he thought
She told him of her fathers death abroad,
of her sorrow and loneliness. She talked
gracefully of her experiences since she
had last met him, but with little timid
thrill in her voice. and without once rails
ing her eyes. A knot of heliotropes on hel
bosom seemed to surround her with an at.
mosphere of fragrance.
Il have not been in the old garden
since my RETURN she said at last, will you
not show it to me now in the moonlight
1t will show to better advantage, rs il
must be somewhat neglected.
She led the way, and he followed into
the soft light of the young moon setting in
the west, into the air burdened with the
breath of roses and yiolets, down the old
walk, smelling damp and fresh, as they
trod upon it.
AS they passed clump of rosebusles,
Helen said, in very soft, low voice:
when we parted, five years ago, Mr.
Norman, if you recollect, ! gave you a
flower, may give you another now p
She plucked, as she spoke, perfect,
dewy rose, tender and warm in color, rich
and sweet in fragrance, and put it into his
hand, with little pressure of her trem-
bling fingers. She looked up, as she did
face, he saw her eyes violet-dark with feel
ing, and misty with tears.
s'Miss Ashley, Helen, said he, in Il voice
deep, almost stern with emotion, sis it
possible, if were to say the words now,
1 began to speak five years ago, that you
would listen to me ?"
'.What were those words ?''
do you not know You are not tri-
fling with me ?' sternly.
Il am not" said she softly, twill you
not say them ?''
He took her hand with tender but firm
est grasp.
''Helen do you not know how love
you, howsupremely blessed should be,
if could take you into my heart and life
as my wife p''
Il know it, love you. she said simply.
He kissed her lips, with his whole heart
in the lingering pressure, and then they
stood silent. watching the setting moon
and dreaming of the happy life to come
Gin that new world, which is the DID,"
-IpsWieh Chronicle.