Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-02
NO. 262.
Gales aud Sketehes.
HOPE LERHs SURPRISE PARfY.
lcoNTIxuRp FROM YEsrERpAr.

J
interlocutos." Dye 60 to the post-oMce?"
In Gashum we see the (not rare) spec
tacle OF hen.pecked lover. The kitchen
was sort OF grand tribunal where, on
his return from trip "t' the village" he
was summoned to give strict account OF
his proceedings. 1t was amusing to wit.
ness the patient submission Of this man to
Alnira's questioning, when ordinarily he
proved 80 restive under this kind Of treat.
ment from other persons, for instance, the
aforesaid Loving. lie was able to answer
satisfactorily the last question. ''Got
couple OF letters for Hope and Civ 'em 10
her Mt the front door, where she stood
waitin' when come up. Never saw such
hand as she is to expect letters 1t Is
alters. '.are you sure there are no more.
Gashum'' To-day, though, she didn't
ask. 'Spose she got the one she wanted.
heyr'
The prime minister looked wise. There
is no telling how much longer this conf
dental disclosures would have continued,
had not Almira's glance at the clock di-
verted his attention and. muttsring some
thing about "time to fodder, !" he went out
again into the storm. In obedience tn the
call that reached her from the foot of the
stairs, Hope came slowly down from her
room. Almira's thoughts were intent on
~ on the prospective festivity, else she
might have noticed the young girls crin-
son cheeks and certain strained excited
expression in her eyes. The process OF
seeing to things" was kind of slow tor
ture to Hope that morning. yet she went
bravely through the various household
duties required other. At last the house
was in perfect order, the dinner in pros
porous state of progression, and AImira
sank into a rocking-chair by the kitchen
fire to rest.
You look beat out, Hope, and no won.
der After all you did yesterday. too
Better 60 and lie down awhile. Gashum's
sister is comm over to help, and you
needn't be afraid things won't be right.
I've been through the mill before now -
and she smiled in complacent recollection
of her culinary triumphs.
The fear of domestic mishaps was not
troubling Hopes mind, neither was she
tired but the air seemed filled with
watchful eyes, and she longed to be alone.
And so, after the habit of young women
when they suddenly find the world hollow
or especially satisfying. Hope gladly took
refuge in her room. Which was the truth
in her case9 Gashum had not cxaggerat-
ed her eagerness for letters. All, this un-
defined longing for good news that We all
know so well We watch and wait un
dismayed by disappointment. To-day
fails but the morrow may see us rejoicing;
and thus life is constant lingering ex
peetation. at once torment and 4 sweet
charm. Gashum's call at the post-office
had been cventtul. Hope sat down by the
window with her letters. There it was,
Miss Hope Leeds" in the firm. bold, ia
milar handwriting. The post-mark ''Bos-
ton" had puzzled her at first. She did
not know that Winthrop was going there.
But it was all plain now, she thought, as
she reluctantly smoothed out the crumpled
sheet. Ii was very commonplace note.
after all. A few hurried words of regret.
that unexpected business called him away
aud that he gould not return in time to
make one of the birthday party. That he
had a surprise for her that he wished to
ask pardon for in advance that he hoped
soon to see her and render full explana-
ton. Rather vague and mysterious, but
nothing to warrant Hopes evident excite
ment.
The other note that she now took up
had been tho real mschef-wOrker. II
was dated North Brooktield, and was from
=.
us peep again over the young girls shout
der as she reads. 1t ran on, "Dear Hone:
am so sorry not to he ut Maplewood to-
day, but the baby is sick and OF course
cannot leave him, and Charlie will not go
without me-" Then what surprise
Winthrop Ellis has given us all He went
off to Boston three days ago with Jenny
Phillips. OF course they have gone to be
;.l l;a fho
morning they started, and never mistrust-
ed what was going on. He told Winthrop
about the proposed dance over at Stanton
the night Of Your party, and said. .'evesy-
body and his wife are going" Then,
laughed Winthrop. 'of course I'll be there
with mine Charley never thought any
thing about it at the time, but now"
There was much more gossip. written
in that painfully slanting hand that some
women delight in inilicting upon their
friends. Hope tossed both letters into the
fire. She had become SO used to having
things her own way, that any interruption
in the smooth order, found her utterly un-
prepared. Hope hardly recognised her.
self. This unexpected experience had
stirred the sluggish current OF her un-
eventful life and swept away what she
deemed most secure. Why is it that we
are so ready to believe our friends wrong
us? Hope did not stop to reason about
Winthrop's conduct. but blindly followed
her jealous instinct. Jenny Phillips.
OF course, he loves her. might have
known. il had not been so blind He is
in her fathers office. and boards at her
house. She is younger, richer. smarter,
and--and (most powerful argumenD pret-
tier than l How foolish have been"
said poor Hope solemnly.
In the fierce white heat of sclf-indigna-
ton that now followed, her love burned
away. She recalled with shame and hui
initiation how much she had studied to
please his tastes, how much she had been
! Influenced by his thoughts and opinions.
/ ~ will never think of him again." she
exclaimed. But it was not easy to forget.
as She found when her eyes wandered
around her cosy, pleasant room. Over
the mantle hung the picture of the Hugue-
not lovers-Winthrop gift on her last
"a -.