Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-09-12

encc, but he stipulated that he was not to
visit England. His friends and patrons
must travel that country without him-he
could not endure to look on the Old, dear,
lost scenes again-and he frankly told his
friends the reason why, and they respect
ed his emotions and his remuneration.
| l ought to say that the moment he left
! England Charlie dropped altogether the
name which seemed to him to be darkened
by irretrievable disgrace, and called him
self Leslie Roberts, pseudonym he COM
pounded for himself on the random prin-
cipe of adopting the first two proper
names which presented themselves on the
page of a newspaper.
So they sailed from Vera Cruz and came
to ST. Nazare, and studied Paris, and idled
along the Rhine. and entered Switzerland.
1t was against his advice and against his
will that his two companions would as
cend Mount Blanc, and he had at least the
poor consolation of knowing that he had
not himself to blame for the calamity which
robbed him of so dear friend.
No man ever perhaps received Il sum-
mons more surprising and delightful than
that which my coming brought to Charlie
West. 1t was summons which not even
his chivalrous and fastdious spirit of in
dependence could refuse to obey, for on
his obedience depended the whole earthly
happiness of the girl he loved, and who SO
truly loved him. eff it is more than a
summons from death to life," said Charlie
himself; sit is a call from Tartarus to Ely
SUM. | can tell you that there were times
when felt to the full what Tennyson-
isn't he ?-means when he speaks of lone
ly hell Lonely. don't you see, because
no one cares for anybody, loves anybody,
pities anybody there; but every one is
wrapped up in his own misery" Yet it is
to the credit of Charles manly and gen.
erous nature that not even in the full flush
and .jov of his recall to. life and happiness
did he forget for a moment the dear friend
who had just gone to death.
Charlie came to Lausanne. No eyes
but their own saw the first meeting be-
tween him and the girl who loved him so
faithfully and fondly. Mr.. Patton, NJ. P,
went back to London. bearing his discpm-
future like dignificd English gentleman,
and Jennie Kendall soon looked the
brightest, happiest woman at the dining
table of the Beau-Rivage.
One odd fact l must mention. Charlie
West insisted that he never passed along
any balcony on the memorable night |
have described. He and his companions
dined with a Spanish gentleman in pr
vate room of the au-Rivage. They left
rather early. and he remained behind a
moment OF two to ask some questions of
one of the officials, and then followed his
companions. But he had no recollection
of passing along a balcony, and was sure
he had never done so. Therefore it pleased
Miss Jennie and himself to see in the
whole incident supernatural visitation
ann intervention, providentially designed
to tell her that her lover lived and was
near her. l did not care to dispute it,
My own conviction was that Charlie, fol
lowed his companions, lost his way. stray.
ed from corridor on the balcony, and
, from the balcony to a corridor again, and
. never needed. Our room was in darkness.
, when he passed, while the moonlight illu
, mined his face and figure; and thus h,
went on, unconscious that the woman h
: loved above all the earth was near hin
: and saw him. But neither he nor sh
e would ever yet-although they have bee
Is more than year married and now have
N baby-accept such an explanation. VIII
IS should l insist upon it i? If the stars
their courses did really pause to guide an
4. unite my two dear friends, that fact onl
Id adds the deeper interest and mystery /
ii my romance of the Beau-Rivage