Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-03-21
warm days-were in blossom. She
watched with de1irht the quick chan ges IN

warm days-were in blossom. She
watched with delight the quick changes IN
trees and flowers that make the month o,
= MAY in the country q succession OF sur
rriees. John Norman showed her all the
s1oTely haunts OF the flowers, that he had
been familiar with from childhood, and
fell = new pleasure in them from her ar
tlstic appreciation. No beauty was lost
upon her, ~-. q, ~.
He had been accustomed to read Shell
ley and Byron and Tennyson aloud to his
mother in the evenings, but Miss Ashley
;, was SO charming listener. that it grew
to be o habit with him to go to read to her.
She played for him sometimes, and her
music was like rare old wine to his soul
On one Of those infrequent evenings
when he was able to resist the impulse 10
spend it with Miss Ashley, his mother said
% him:
3 ri am afraid, John, we shall not retain
our new neighbors very long. Mr.. Ashley
is already tired of the country, and re-
grets coming at all. 1t is the caprice of
illness. suppose, and besides they came
too early"
John was silent and she continued:
"1hey will 60 abroad, as soon as the
necessary arrangements can be made''
II hardly know said John, slowly,
..what we shall do without Miss Ashley,
we shall be very dull"
"Oh. yes." replied his mother, 1--WE
shall miss her at first, of course; she is
very charming girl, but we shall soon get
on without her, as before"
THAT is impossible" said John, half
aloud. and bidding his mother a hasty
goodnight he left the room.
For several evenings thereafter he re-
manned at home. moody and silent.-Then
alter day of suffering that left his face
haggard and worn, he said 10 himself, it
is useless, / must see her. / love this
woman better than my life, if she scorn
me-and If, whispered hope, she does not,
and his heart thrilled with a Joy so sharp
that it was like pain.
He went over to see her that evening,
and the delight of her mere presence
again was SO great he could not but forget
everything save the present momont.
Miss Ashley welcomed him with smiles
and playfully reproached him for desert
ing them. "Do you know" SAID she, later
in the evening, that papa has decided to
60 abroad, for his health he is much less
''DO you 60 soonp" asked John.
"In a few weeks
Then" said he, "you must let me SCI
you as much as possible before yo,
leave"
There was half repressed fervor il
his tone that made her look up a little sur
prised, but she answered lightly,
- am always happy to see you, Mr.. Nor
man."
1t was the night before Miss Ashley wa
to leave. John Norman had been read
ing to her Shelley's little poem of 9TH
Fugitives."
at is grant," she said, II always ad
mire it, and you read it SO we'll see tn
nashing waters the 'glancing lightning
and hear the roar Of the storm, the thun
der, the minister bells; but after all coul,
! one dare so much for lovep Do you no
fancy the lady shivered with terror evel
In her lovers arms. and covered with hi
cloak?"
Gould you not, Miss Ashley, dare $,
much for love p said he steadily.
~ am afraid not" she laughed.
"But l." he said, ''would risk any dealt
to win the woman I loved;" and he look
ed up at her, all the passionate, reveren
woIsuiP VI MS Soul III MS eyes.
Miss Ashley,-I-"h he began in a vote
hesitating, and vibrant with tenderness.
She turned at once, but with slow grac
peculiar to her. She was cool, self-po.
sessed. and, apparently, wholly uncor
scious of what he would say.
"Shall not make you little presen
Mr.. Norman, before we part P" and sh
reached him Gala lily, which she ha
plucked from pot in the window. 81
is quite late in poisoning, and Just full
unfolded. ! have been told that am lik
this flower, do you think so?'
His face grew very pale, his hand trem
bled, but he took the flower, with thanks
He understood her. 1t was true; she wa
like the lily in its sweetness, its stated,
beauty. its purity, its unapproachabl,
GOODNESS. There was no warmth of color
ing in her nature. She neither needed
nor had the power of returning his affec
ton. He had pride, too Notwithstanding,
his youth and love. he did not wholly fol
get the difference in wealth and social pe
sition.,
CONCLUDED TOMORROW