Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-05-31

turn Of the warm days-were in blossom.
She watched with delight the quick chang.
es In trees and flowers that make the month
Of May in the country succession of sur
prises. John Norman showed her all the
lovely haunts Of the flowers, that he had
been familiar with from childhood, and felt
q new pleasure in them from her artistic
appreciation. No beauty was lost upon
her.
He had been accustomed Is read Shell
ley and Byron and Tennyson aloud to his
mother in the evenings, but Miss Ashley
was 50 charming listener, that it grew
to be habit with him to 90 TO read 10
her. She played for him sometimes, and
her music was like rare old wine to his
soul.
On one of those infrequent evenings
when he was able to resist the impulse TO
spend it with Miss Ashley, his mother said
to him;
Il am afraid, John, we shall not retain
our new neighbcrs very long. Mr.. Ashley
is already tired of the country. and regrets
coming at all. 1t is the caprice Of illness
suppose, and besides they came much
too early" John was silent and she con-
tinued:
They will go abroad as soon as the
necessary arrangements can be made
81 hardly know" said John slowly,
what we shall do without Miss Ashley,
we shall be very dull
"Oh! yes" replied his mother, 1--WE
shall miss her at first, of course, she is n
very charming girl, but we shall soon get
on without her, as before"
THAT is impossible" said John, half
aloud, and bidding his mother hasty
goodnight, he left the room.
For several evenings thereafter he re.
manned at home, moody and silent Then
after day OF suffering that left his face
haggard and worn, he said to himself, it
it useless, / must see her. | love this
woman better than my life, if she scorn
me-and if, whispered hope, she does
not. and his heart thrilled with a Joy so
sharp that it was like pain.
lie went over TO see her that evening
and the delight of her mere presence
again was SO great he could not but forge
everything save the present moment.
Miss Ashley welcomed him with smile.
and playfully reproached him for desert
ing them.
do you know" said she later in thu
evening, that papa has decided to g
abroad, for his health? he is much les
well than when we came here"
do you 60 soon?" asked John,
''In few weeks.
Then" said he, .'you must let me sec
you as much as possible before YOU leave
There was q half depressed fervor in his
tone that made her look up little sur
prised, but she answered lightly,
81 am always happy to see you. Mr..
Norman
1t was the night before Miss Ashley was
10 leave. John Norman had been reading
to her Shclley's little poem of the The
Fugitives." sit is grand she said, II
always admire it, and you read it so well
see the flashing waters, the glancina
lightning and hear the roar of the storm
the thunder, the minister bclls but after
all could one dare SO much for loveo Dc
YOU not fancy the lady shivered with ter.
ror even in her lovers arms. and covered
with his cloak ?''
Gould not you, Miss Ashley, dare SC
much for love ?" said he steadily.
81 am afraid not she laughed.
''But l." he said, would risk any dealt
toy win the woman l loved" and he looked
up at her, all the passionate, reverent wor
ship OF his soul in his eyes.
''Miss Ashley,-I-" he began in Il voice
hesitating, and vibrant with tenderness.
She turned at once, but with the slow
grace peculiar to her. She was cool, self
possessed, and apparently. wholly uncon.
scious of what he would say
"Shall not make you little present.
Mr.. Norman, before we part P" and she
reached him Gala lily, which she had
plucked from a pot in the window. at is
quite late in blossoming, and is just fully
unfolded. l have been told that 1 am like
this flower, do you think SOP
His face grew very pale, his hand trem-
bled, but he took the flower with thanks.
He understood her. 1t was true; she was
like this lily in its sweetness, its stately
beauty, its purity, its unapproachable
GOODNESS. There was no warmth of
coloring in her nature. She neither
needed, nor had the power of returning
his affection. He had pride too, notwith-
standing his youth and love. he did not
wholly forget the difference in wealth and
social position.
1CONCII-DFn To- MnppnNr