The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-05-15

He had a broad, square brow, and troubled
eyes, and a mouth which betrayed char
acter resolute and tender. He was maj
who had great future before him-o
hard toll, heartache. and fame.
Lola was late. Granny pointed to the
timepiece, and the lessons began. Lola'
voice was low in asking the questions, ant
the children's tones were shrill in giving
the answers. Granny raped with hel
knitting-needle on the table when things
were not going on so as to please her
Arthur Gray remained for the study, anC
his study was Lola's face. Lola's voice
grew lower, and Granny's raps fell fast
upon the board. Arthur Gray suddenly
got up and left the room
He walked out on the terrace, anc
paced up and down. Life at this moment
was a tangled skein to him. He wanted
to have for his own that sweet woman in
doors who was teaching the children, yet
how was he to have her without bllghtln9
his career9 Marriage meant poverty
struggling, uncongenial drudgery, and
Arthur had had enough OF it from child
hood up. Genius was stirring within him
opportunity, at this moment lay inviting
ly before him. He held in his hand let
Ter which invited him to Join a scientific
expedition to the other side of the world
A few months ago such an offer would
have been hailed as the realization of his
sweetest dreams. But now there was
Lola. Success, power, fame, all to be
swept away by Il woman's hand. Only
this morning, as he sat scribbling at the
table, he had declared to himself that the
thing was monstrcus, that it could not be
but Lola had walked into the room, and
he had felt at once that it would be easier
to walk hand in hand with her instantly
into the valley of death, than to set out
upon any sunny path to fortune, leaving
her behind
He was nowhere to be seen when Lola
and the children came ont OF Granny S
house and ran off toward the woods. The
children from the next house met them
with dinner in their bags for this was to
be an outdoor holiday, while the elders
of both families dined with neighboring
magnate Of the land. The children were
wild with glPe. Lola less wild than was
usual on such occasions. The children
| tried to light q fire to roast their chest
nuts, but failed, and Lola lay in the grass,
her hat tilted over her mouth and eyes,
and listened to the happy humming OF the
insects. The children checred suddenly,
the breeze blew Lola's hat aside, and here
was Arthur Gray coming to join them.
| This was like one of the old primeval
days when the Garden of Eden blOomed,
| and before sorrow came into the world
Gray made a great fire, and screened it
with thick boughs, so that the sun could
not put it ont. The children shrieked with
delight the chestnuts hissed and sputter-
| ed, the thrushes sang, the quail away in
the meadows below sent up a satisfied
comment on the state of things, and the
lilies tlapped their golden wings wantonly
down in the river. The purple distance
that girded the forest world looked as in
viting as the beautiful future which Young
eyes see in dreams. The sunshine red
dened on the holes of the trees, and on
two faces that leaned toward each other,
often across the heads of the children
Dinner was eaten in the grass, with dock
leaves for dishes, and Arthur Gray told
stories to the children about wonderful
! places and things which are TO be found
on this moving globe showed them gilt
tering caves in the heart of the earth,
deserts with a fierce sun brooding over
their blighted flats, and Il flying camel
Sti y ms ''tl h-ldtCtt u1Cll anu WOllGI Out
of reach of a burning death; and, again.
regions where the stars glitter bio above
mountains of ice, and the white bears
wonder from block to block of snow in the
lonely seas. The children listened with
bated breath. Had Mr. Gray seen these
| places? Should he ever see them No,
he thought not he should never see them
now. Yet that letter from the band of
| explorers burned unanswered against his
heart.
Twilight came, and the little forest party
went home for school-room tea As they
walked through the tunnel of leaves the
children ran on before to have the kettle
boiling, and Lola and Gray walked through
the purple hollow, alone together They
did not speak much, but walked close to-
gether, hand in hand, slowly, and with
full hearts. Arthur thought Of nothing
but that Lola's hand was in his; Lola
thought of nothing but that he had taken
that hand, and it could help him. As they
turned from the shade into the open space
lighted by q last glaring reflection from
the vanished sun, gorgeous troop of
moving clouds was sailing along the hori-
zon, purple and crimson-edged upon a
sea of gold. They had taken shape
like the pleasure galley of some Eastern
Queen, and tloated solemnly, as if to
music not heard on earth. Somethin 9
like this was suggested to Lola's mind as
the lovers stood still to look, but Arthur
saw only the expedition, sailing away
without him to the shore unknown. For
now he had made up his mind indeed Let
them 60, said Arthur Gray he would
have Lola for his wife.
Next day, when the young governess
went to Roselands to give the lessons,
Arthur was already on his way to London
to explain to his exploring friends that he
could not Join their party. He would ar
range some matters of business, and re-
turn to the forest country and ask Lola to
be his wife. He thought he knew we'll
what she would answer There was only
one woman in the world who could ven
ture to share his poverty, but she was the
only woman he wanted, for she was Lola
When the girl arrived at Granny's house
she found the old lady walking up and
down the path with god-headed stick
and a large parasol, and a face of much
unusual perturbation.
81 have given the children u holiday,
| and they are making hay in the mead
ows," said Granny to Lola. II am go
ing to have talk with you. | have got
at last" she continued, ''what | have long
been seeking for you, situation in Paris
where you might see a little of the world
and improve yourself in French. For q
girl who has to earn her bread such i'm
provements are desirable, and you can
not go on expensive trips as you cousins
can. | have Il letter here from the gentle
man who engages you. He will wait for
you till tomorrow, when you must Join
| him"
Lola's cheeks had become white. She
reelected for a few moments, and then
raised her eyes gravely to the old lady's
face. saying:
81 can not 60"
mo; Lola listen to me. You are only
connection of this family. l have al
ways treated you rs if you were my
grandchild. and if I could have done more
for you should have been glad, but ! am
too poor"
81 should not have accepted more," said
Lola.
"Don't be pert, miss, with your should
! nots and can nots. | have some questions