Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-05-30
Gales and Sketthes.
GERTRUDE GWIN'S OPPORTUNITY,

8 Impossible Why cannot dismiss the
idea? it is absurd and the speaker
pushed her hair off her forehead. gave two
or three vigorous whiffs with the ..heath-
EN- Chinee" fan, and rounded off the edge
OF her impatient jarring mood with few
impetuous swings back and forth in the
wicker rocker in which she was sitting.
1t is a pretty picture, ifyou care to look
at it. A cottage in one of our suburban
towns, modest. and yet spacious, shad-
owed by great elm, with rose-scented
porches, and wisteria-shaded windows.
nesting among other homes, some more
pretentious, but all expressing a life of
ease. if not atfluence. 1t is an attractive
room with its cool, crisp mating, it's deli
cate draperies, and soft, gray tints re-
lieved here and there with touch of blue,
its books and pictures, and easy chairs.
giving it an air of refinement and repose:
its bay window overlooking the lawn on
which sturdy three year old, and pet
spitz We're engaged in an irrepressible
frolic; and its glory and crown the mis-
tress and mother, who is in an uncom-
monty brown study just now, so she will
not see us as we scrutinize her, perhaps a
trifle too intently. A fair face she has,
lighted with luminous eyes, and indexed
with a mouth both firm and sweet, vet
tremulously responsive to every shade of
feeling. A bit of sewing in her lap does
not belle the taper fingers. Gladstone's
"Micheal Faraday' on the stand with the
pencil between the leaves accords we'll
with the eye and forehead, while a newly
opened letter in her hand may explain the
present mood.
Impossible" once more she saws:
why should take upon myself such
burden? l wish the thought had never
presented itself"
But here the boys laughter broke the
stiffness of the Summer air, and the moth
er's eye glistened, and the mood of harsh
impatience merged into conscientious con-
sideration.
Looking once more at the letter and
reading half musingly. half pityinglv the
sentence:
''While in one of our hospitals the other
day, was so touched with the sight of
young girl, mother, who was about leav-
ing, and had no place to go, save back to
her former situation. But that necessitat.
ed giving up her baby, and she had learned
to love the little creature so that the idea
was almost insupportablc. But what could
she do? Very young, unskilled in any,
thing save household labor, and most like
~ not sklllcu Ill tIat, now could she sun
port herself and child? Evidently she
could not, and the only friend she had. said
she must give up her baby to the sisters.
and go back to her work. To be surr
there are one or two Protestant refugees In
the city, but If they were not full. which
would be unusual. and she could not nm
the requirements, which would be doubt.
ful, 1t would only postpone the evil day.
not advert it,. and l declare, Gertrude.
when saw the little grieving, sobbinr
child-she was hardly more than that
ielt so sorry for her, wished had a
home to which could take her, and ifher
future fulfilled the promise OF the present.
give her shelter, and work, and an abid-
ing place as long as she needed them for
herself and child.n
why could not ! do it - was the
thought that darted through Mrs. Gwin's
mind as she first read the letter. and il
was this idea which, from flashing
thought, had crystalized into a persistent
inquiry that had to be squarely met and
answered.
rCoNTINuEp ON FOURTH FACE.