Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-03
NO. 3.

\
in Portals garden at Belmont, where
Lorenzo and Jessica sat by moonlight,
and listened to the sweet harmonies steal
ing upon their entranced ears. When
did romance take note Of spidersP Tis
only with advancing years, when the gold
en- age Of youth is passed, when the blood
creeps sluggishly through the veins, and
the impulses of the heart yield to the calm
judgments of the head, that we vote damp
grottoes and messy banks the parents OF
rheumatic pains, neuralgia torments, and
the other ills to which ills Especially old
fiesh) is subject.
''Your wife is charming" continued
Price, elf she inherits her virtues from her
mother, you have nothing to complain Of"
''Well, you'll soon have an opportunity
of judging for yourself, for, if l mistake
not, that is her knock replied Valentine
as the echo of rat-tat floated through the
house and along the garden to the grotto
in which the friends were seated. The
neighboring church clocks had long since
chimed seven, and the period Of the year
being spring, mellow twilight was rapid
ly enveloping the earth. Just as Val. and
his friend were about to leave their hiding
place, with the view of entering the house,
the dining room window opened and the
forms of two ladies were seen descending
the veranda steps.
1--WE may as we'll remain where we
are," said VAL, pausing, ''for see, the la
dies are about to join u.s." is
Presently Felicia and her mother APP
preached, and Val. went through the ster-
eotyped form of introducing his companion
to Mrs. Hope, but no sooner did the words
"Mrs. Herbert Price" escape his lips than
she grasped her daughters arm, and sud-
denly drew back few PAGES.
Mamma DEAR" cried Felicia, startled
by the sudden movement, "what ails
YOU"
Nothing. nothing, my child" mur-
INJURED Mrs. Hope 'a spasm, nothing
more. 1t is gone now"
With the sound of her voice Herbert
Prices cheek flushed, and his heart beat
violently. He was at the back Of the grotto,
and for few seconds leant against the
rockwork for support. The semi-darkness
which prevailed concealed the agitation
eccasioned by the accents of voice whose
every note had ouce thrilled his soul, but
which he had never expected to hear again.
Quickly recovering himself. however. he
advanced and bowing stiffly, said, ''If
mistake not, l knew Mrs. Hope when she
bore another name"
Dear me, how strange, mamma - said
Felicia. Can it be possible that you
knew Mr., Price before you were mar
rled p''
''Mr. Price is not mistaken" responded
Mrs. Hope; "before welded your father
we often met"
Obeying sign made him by the guest
Valentine drew to the side of his wife, and
faE har
two such long-parted friends may have
mnch to say to each other, and we may be
in the way" The young man has never
yet comprehended how, from the few
words spoken on either side, he felt that
his mother-in-law and Herbert Price de-
sired to be alone. 1t was one of those
instructive thoughts that come but seldom
in lifetime-a thought upon which we at
once act without further consideration.
Felicia felt no such impulse. but calmly
submitted to the superior will of her hus-
band, and together they entered the
house.
For few moments the elderly pair left
in the garden were silent. Herbert Price
still stood by the entrance to the grotto,
while Mrs. Hope remained few feet from.
him, nervously destroying a half-blos-
somed rose she had Just gathered. i
II feel, he said, THAT some explanation
should be made of my presence. Having
been acquainted with Mr.. Hardy for some
years, | came by his invitation to be in
troduced to his wife and home. Believe
me, had | expected to meet in Mrs. Har-
dy's mother the Blanche Tressell once
knew, no power, no influence, in the whole
world could have persuaded me to be
here.n lie spoke thickly, his emotion be-
traying itself in every word he uttered,
while his limbs trembled as though ague-
stricken
IL do believe it, for know 1t to be the
truth Mr.. Price-Herbert, l merit all
your scorn and reproach but were you
acquainted with the circumstances which
led to my conduct twenty-five years since,
you would look with an extenuating eve
upon my crime, e'en though you might
not be able to forgive me. Shall pro-
ceed ?"
She involun.arily drew toward him, but
| he made no movement, save a slight in
clnation of his head for her to continue
her story.
Long before welded Col Hope, my
father was deeply involved in debt; II
combination of commercial misfortunes
dragged him deeper and deeper into the
slough OF bankruptcy, and he knew that
an accident might any day lead TO dis
closure of the true state of his affairs.
Though not vehemently opposing my be-
throthal to you, he took care during your
absence in Australia, whittier you had gone
on special mission connected with the
journal upon which you We're engaged, TO
advocate the claims of Col. Hope, then
home from India on iurlough. Your rival
was assduous in his attentions, and if he
was much older than myself, could boast
of Il handsome income in addition to his
pay. He became a favorite with my ia
thcr, and was Il constant visitor. Day by
day attempts were made on all sides to
undermine my constancy, for loved yon,
Herbert, truly, fondly, with all the fresh
affection of budding womanhood.
One day, worn and harrassed with disap-
appointments my father lay NJ a i,k bed,
dangerously i'll the doctors despairing OF his
life. Calling me to his side, he declared
that naught could bring peace to his last
moments but the promise that would be-
come Col. Hopes bride. Terrified and
heartsick, gave my hand to your rival.
| fta~ hat, I:.>I~