Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-09-14

= rO emply,N ne salu 70 nluuSSfip stepPiHs
softly across the floor. He took one dowr
and looked Int It. Something white lay
at the bottom and then came over MIN
sudden and irresistible impulse to learn !,
what 1t was. He drew it forth and--coulo
he believe his ewes Il was a letter direct
ed to him, in Edith Changers handwriting
He started and staggered as If struck by
a heavy blow. The vase had well-nlgh
fallen from his hand; but he recovered
himself set it carefully back in its place,
and dropped the thimble within it. His
brain was in whirl he could not restrain
his impatience to learn the contents of the
missiye son ysteriously lost and so strange
" recovered. He closed the door to guard
against interruption, tore open the envel-
ope, and at q glance took in the purport of
the few lines written months ago in answer
to his avowal of love and offer of his
hand. There could be no mistake, for
date and name were both there; and how
his heart bounded at the words of frank
vet modest avowal that he was not an OBJ
iect of indifference 20 her, and bidding
him come, as he proposed, should he be
accepted, and accompany her to the depot.
But the children were growing impa-
tient and he heard them coming in search
of him. He thrust his new found treasure
into his breast pocket, and throwing open
the door, summoned them to hunt the
thimble. Then reckoning a servant aside,
he told her where he had hidden it, and
intrusted her with message of apology
from him to her mistress, to the effect
that she must pardon his sudden depart
ure, as he was unavoidably hurried away
by urgent and most important business.
CHAPTERV.
In handsomely furnished parlor, a
young girl was sitting alone. 1t was the
evening of the twenty-sixth Of December,
time of general merrymaking and fes-
tivity, but Edith had no heart for such
things now, and had begged to be left at
home alone while the rest of the family
were enjoying themselves at grand con-
cert.
She tried to read, hut finding it impos-
sible to fix her attention upon the authors
words, laid her book aside, and seating
herself on a low ottoman beside the glow
ing CRATE, fell into deep revery, her
thoughts travelling back to the time of her
visit to Philadelphia, year ago, and to
the great joy and the bitter disappoint-
its last days had brought to her.
Not one word had she heard from Wal
ter Maynard since, nor had she ever OBJ
tanned the slightest clue to the mystery Of
his failure to keep his appointment. But
she knew that he was living, and in health
and prosperity, for Belle Stanton, with
whom she occasionally correspondent, had
now and then spoken in her letters OF his
visits to her fathers; and from Other
sources she had heard of him as rising in
his profession.
J For time she had INDUCED fain,
hope Of hearing from him, but it had died
lingering and painful death, and she fell
that he had treated her very i'll; yet, still
love pleaded that there might be some
excuse she little dreamed Of.
A quick ring at the door bell startled
her. The next moment the parlor dool
was thrown open. and could she believe
1.-THE stood before her-he with the
same manly bearing, the same bright
beaming face of old and what strangely
mingled regret, love, and joy spoke in his
glance, and in the deep tones Of his voice
as he held out his hand, saying: Edith
dearest, will you, can you forgive me tn,
wrong have done youp / ought never
to have rested without personal inter
view. But on that day the mail brough
me nothing from you but an empty enve
lope; and scarcely forty-eight hours have
elapsed since your true answer cam,
into my hands,
Walter, is it possible? All! then
have nothing to forgive"
Edith's hand had been placed in his
her waist encircled by his arm, ere his
apology was half made. Upon compar-
ing notes, they had little difficulty in con-
occurring to whom they owed the failure
of their true love to run smooth and
even course but in the gladness of their
reunion they were almost willing to for
give and forget.
CHAPTER vi.
The STATIONS were spending the sum-
mer at Saratoga. The season was one of
unusual gayety, into which none seemed
to enter with greater zest than Belle She
was constantly carrying on Irritation
with one gentleman or another. But while
outwardly very happy, she was inwardly
chafing, sorely, over the disappointment
occasioned by the non-appearance of Wal
ter Maynard, who she had hoped would
follow her hither; for indeed he had said
that he would and she had lived upon
that promise from day to day.
The evening was cool enough to make
the spacious, well-lighted parlors of the
hotel very comfortable, and most of the
guests were assembled there, some prom
enadlng arm in arm, others sitting or
standing about in little groups, engaged
in lively chitchat. On one of the sofas
sat Juliette Stanton, amusing herself by
watching what was going on around her
Look, Belle, look !" She cried out sud
denly to her sister. who stood near. tiirt-
ing with New York exquisite; there is
my Mr.. Maynard; and with my Edith on
his arm, too. When ever did he find her 81
And without waiting for an answer, she
slipped off her seat and ran to meet them
'Mr. Maynard and Miss Edith too, how
glad ! am to see you p she cried, giving a
hand to each, and claiming kiss from
the lady. "Mr. Maynard, why did you
run off in such hurry from my Christ
mas party ? I've never had chance to
ask you about it before
Because this lady sent for me-
"Did she Why how odd But come
speak to Belle; she's just over here
She led the way, and they followed.
Miss Stanton, said Mr.. MAYNARD,
"allow me to introduce my wife. An
empty envelope kept us apart for time
put the fates becoming propitious, long
hidden letter Fortunately discoverp1 nv