Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-11
Gales aud Skstthss.
AN OLD MAIDS STORY.

can look back through the dim mists of
twenty years and see myself as Twas then
plump and fair, with blue eyes and chest
nut curls. was An only child, having al
ways known mothers and fathers love,
and until my twentieth year / knew what
sorrow was. At that period went to vis-
1t my aunt, who lived in distant city, and
it was there / first met Hugh Chamberlain,
q young law student, and an intimate
friend OF my cousin joe He was one that
seemed born to be loved. for he was very
handsome, and then his high sense of hon.
or, open heart and winning manners soon
made him favorite with all. Nor was it
to be wondered at, that T, who had lived
in the country all my life, and had seen
but few polished men, should fall in love
with Hugh Chamberlain . Q.ya
At first he did not notice me, but after
time my quaint ideas began to attract his
attention, and then he studied me, and as
numerically criticised me as be did one
of his law books, but he was generous in
it all.
There was not knotty question that
came across his mind, but that he brought
it to me for my opinion, and his own pro-
ductions were laid before me for comment
and if he though he had been too severe in
his criticism on my music or drawings,
would find on my table, as peace offer
ing. rare picture or flower, or something
he knew that should value. m
would have been blind could not
have seen as the days drifted on, that his
feelings had strengthened into more than
ordinary friendship. sometimes won
dered what Hugh could have seen in my
face or manner to love-, for, although l
was pretty and educated, l lacked that
polish that life in city is sure to give
Would he not be ashamed of me some
time? Ispoke to him about it once. and
he pulled my curls, and, laughing merri-
ly, exclaimed .l... .a#l
"Just listen to Kittie, Joe, she says
will be ashamed OF her some day, as if
could, the little apple blossom. You must
get such notions out of her head"
II shall not try said Joe, '.for you
have neglected me shamefully for her,
and yet he patted me on the cheek, and
congratulated me upon having won the
love of such prime fellow as Hngh--ad-
ding that the next time he had friend,
he hoped no curly-headed cousin would
come in the way. ha 'H eaaa
We had been engaged about two
months, when Hugh received letter
stating that his mother was sick, and ask
ing him to come home Immediately. He
did so, and while he was gone my aunt
received a letter from the husband of an
old friend of hers. who had shortly before
died, leaving one child. He was going 10
Europe, he wrote. Would she take his
little Irene and be mother to her until
he returned? My aunt consented, and
the next week the father and daughter
ind
found the ''little girl" a stylish young lady
| looked upon her face, a vague. name
and why l hardly knew. 1t may have
been that was jealous and exacting, and
feared her influence over my love, but
those beautiful eyes, and, social though
she was, could not trust her. She was
born dirt. You could detect it in every
movement, and, in spite of every caution,
Joe tluttered around her like a moth
around candle and for his pains had
his wings singed, for Joe was her first
conquest. l shall never forget how
broken-hearted he looked the next morn
ing after she had rejected him. ALL of the
sunshine seemed suddenly to have died
out OF his life; but there she sat, as cool
and composed as if nothing had occurred.
1t made me angry, and told her she was
the most hearless girl that had ever seen.
She shrugged her pretty shoulders. and
said petulantly, Il could not keep him
from loving me-"
"You did not try"
"lIow do you know?r" aaya,4 : sEss
II understand you.n &. i.ln r>4a
Really" said she sarcastically, then
turned up her nose to let me know she
thought me very presuming. 't'i
81 have some curiosity to see that Hugh
you and your aunt are always talking
about. Where is he ?" ..- ss
In Philadelphia with his mother.
'Will he be here soon ?"
"Yes, next week. f7iF ,&
You won't allow me to have anything
to say to him, will yOu?' vas.d s
You would, even if | did not. But
you won't find him so easy to win as Cous
in Joe was" lhah
wont I?' said she. going up TO thu
mirror, and smoothing her hair with a.
much sang froid as if she thought her face
beautiful enough to win any one.
And so it would have been, had her
mind harmonzed with her face. for hei
hair was a purplish black, long and way
inc, her eyes a dark blue, heavily shaded
with long, dark lashcs. the eyebrows
daintilv arched, the nose small. the lips
thin and beautifully curved. and the COM
plexion of a creamy tint that We but rare
iy see in persons with dark hair, In fact.
her face might have been called per-
feet. but she spoiled it all by her vanity.
If there was Il mirror in the room, she
was sure to put herself in a position 90
she could gaze at herself, or in conyersing
with any one she would always bring up
subject that would tend to have flatter-
ing effect upon herself. | was somewhat
amused as watched her the first night
after IIugh's arrival. She sat down TO the
piano uninvited. and dashed Off gay
waltz Then finding she mad not gained
his attention she sat down at his side and
began TO ask him questions. u san
''She is the vainest creature eve
knew" said he, later in the evening
land am disgusted with her."
think she read his feelings pretty well
but she was not to be yanquished. Yo
could tell that by the CLEAN Of her eye
: And then, he was wealthy and handsome
IT, .TcoSTNuEp ON FOURTH PAGE