Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-06-19
NO. Jas.
Gales aud Sketehes.
ECONOMY Is WEALTH.
BY MRS. G.

''"| q ooCoA AittiC Eui, Saiu Mdik SOlQ.
ers. practical and full of common sense,
and will make some man a good, true wife
She'll keep his house tidy, and nurse and
care for him and his children, tenderly
and faithfully. but as for sympathizing with
his higher intellectual needs, of that she Is
incapable. She's like hosts of others. pret
ty, gentle and loving, but commonplace
"Such woman wear WE'LL" replied hi.
friend, John Hilton, land usually bios.
som into hopeful and contented wives and
mothers. They seem meant for every dav
use and living, not for show or ornament
"Shall ! Introduce YOU ?'' and Mark
smiled mischievously. "Kathie and are
the best of friends, but not lovers in any
sense of the word, She d he even more
10th to take me for q husband than her
for a wife"
He tried TO believe what he said, but his
gave him a little twinge when
he remembered certain sly looks and
bushes of hers.
John Hilton glanced al a little figure in
white on the opposite side OF the room.
and to his friends surprise nodded assent.
81 should be glad to know her." he said
simply.
1t was Very select company assembled
in Mrs. Nane's parlor, and kathie LYNN
did look little plain and insignificant,
when eontrasted with some Of the fashion
able beauties around her: for kathie was
one better fitted to shine at home than in
society, and this was the first large party
she had ever attended. She was a fair.
sweet, wholesome looking girl, with sun
ny llair and blue eyes, but hardly appeared
at her best that night. owing to shvnes-
and embarrassment
Mark Somers was her brothers dearest
friend. and she had thus come to know
him intimately. He had found her fresh,
guileless nature and womanly WAYS spec
tally attractive, and though she was quite
different from the woman he meant to
marry, friendship had sprung up be-
tween the two that might easily have rip
ened into warmer feeling. That it was
doing SO unconsciously neither of them
realized until that night. and kathie even
then caught but faint glimpse of the
truth by the pang she felt at Marks neg
lect. But as for him, he felt that he was
becoming seriously attached to her, and
that he must break off the intimacy iii
once or it would be too late both for her
peace and his own. For he meant to be
true and honorable. and though kathie
could not make him such a wife as he de-
-ired. her welfare lay near his heart.
John Hilton thought the eyes very sweet
that were lifted to him in acknowledged
ment of Marks introduction, and wa,
either so cngrossed by them, or their own
er's shy attempts at conversation, become
oblivious to everything else the rest ofth
evening. Mark watched him, little jeaI.
ously at first, but was soon consoled by
Mrs. Nane, who whispered in his ear -
"Miss Reeves is in the library. and has
expressed 4 wish to know YOU. Isn't that
a compliment"
He knew Miss Reeves by reputation rs
a brilliant society belle who sang pathetic
songs of her own composition, wrote poe
try occasionally for the magazines, and
even dabbed in art. as well AS music and
literature. She was beautiful too. dark.
haired and queenly looking, with great
deal of dignity and >elt-possession. He
had admired her from distance, and had
begged Mrs. Nane tor an introduction.
But that lady had been so taken up with
her duty as hostess that she had not found
an opportunity to grant his request until
now.
Miss Reeves wa- sitting in Il low chair
under the gasligh,. looking over some en-
cravings, when they entered the library
She raised her eyes slowly at their APP
proach, a. if unwilling to be interrupted
but Mrs. Nane had no sooner mentioned
Mr.. Somer, name than she held out her
hand with most enchanting smile.
lyon are not quite such stranger a.
you think" she said archly: Il know
you by reputation. if not by sight. Your
little cousin, Lucy, was my especial pro-
tcge at school, and used to tell wonderful
tales of Your achiev ements. Not that
believed them at ALL and she laughed
softly; "but | confess to little curiosity
regarding her hero
''Lucy was equally eNtravagan, in her
praises OF you,' he replied with mock
ing bow: or at least ! thought so then,
bnt am ready to acknowledge now tha,
She did her subject no more than justice"
"A neatly turned phrase ?" said Mrs.
i Nane, mischevously. AFTER that cap
: safely leave you to the tender mereies OF
/ Claudia and she was gone before either
could demonstrate.
Miss Reeve, flushed rosily. and begau
to talk Of the cngravings she had been ex-
amining. From the discussion of art and
pictures they wandered to books and mu-
Sic, and an hour had flown by unheeded
when their hostess again put her head IN
side the door.
lyon two had better emerge from Sc
cusion." she said. ''or there'll be a para
graph headed "Mysierous Disappear
anrr !" going the rounds OF the papers to-
morrow morning. lin besieged by hosts
of anxious inquirers, and shall have 10
capitulatc soon"
Mark laughed, bat Miss Reeves bit her
lip a, if veXed. a faint gleam OF exulta-
ton lit up her face though. when he
whispered softly
Pardon me, that | forgot everything
else in listening to you. 1t is seldom /
meet one whose tastes and sympathies
harmonize with my own
"Or either she answered, a little
sadly. ''Congcniality is rarely found in
this world"
Mark felt his heart beat faster at these
words. The woman beside him was
gifted and beautiful, and greatly admired.
and il gratiiied his vanity tha, he had i'm
pressed her iavorably. Nor was she
Nonttpry in lovabl. ,ual;,:a- H.. -,