Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-03

he sought the fulfillment of my promise:
A week after our marriage we embarked
for India, whittier / remained until year
after his death.
/ had never heard of you in the interval,
aud deemed that, like myself you had
welded another To my husband was
faithful, true wife; he knew my love was
not his. but he was satisfied with the re-
spect and consideration paid him. For
YOU, Herbert, my love has never wavered.
It has laid dormant in my breast for years;
Tears sprang to her eyes as she extended
her hand to him. '.Let me beg, in con-
clusion," she said, THAT the fact OF our
engagement in years gone by may be kept
from Felicia, I would not wish her to
know the reasons that induced me to wed
her father
..You have my promise, Blanche" ex,
claimed Price cstatically grasping her hand
and holding it within his own. "Save what
am compelled to tell Valentine. no word
of the past shall escape my lips. 1t is
secret locked as securely in my bosom as
in yours .,
.'And can you forgive me ?'
"On one condition only" lie felt her
hand tremblc in turn as he drew her near
or him but she made no attempt to with
draw it. blanche, have long lived a
solitary hopeless life and my pecuniary
resources have not improved to the extent
they should during the progress OF SO
many years. But were it possible, would
wish TO regard the past as dream from
which we have just awakened" He
paused, but she knew the words that were
upon his lips. Blanche he murmured,
..may renew the vows made you in my
youth P"
The moon was now high in the heavens
and shed its tranquil light into the little
garden. The reunited pair had retreated
to the shadow Of the grotto, but as Blanche
Hope raised her eyes and looked into his
with all the fond, hopeful trust of former
days, he knew his question was answered
in the affirmative, though no sound broke
the stiffness of the night.
''And you will be my wife, darling?"
Her voice, subdued to the faintest MUIR
muir, but loud enough to reach his eager
ears, gave forth an acquiescent response,
and, clasping her in his arms, lie kissed
her forehead.
..Well,' said Valentine Hardy, when, a
COuPlC vi uOuiS hAtStS ~ oSSc'hPs$hASu h'S
friend to the omnibus, "who could have
guessed the turn events have taken?
From me Felicia shall never know OF
your engagement in early life; but trust
you'll both decide not to live far from us.
My wife and l will miss the mamma
awfullyn Then bursting into hearty
roar of laughter, Val exclaimed, :'By
Jove, old man, you'ue belIed the cat"
The application of the fable excited the
merriment OF both, but omnibuses Every
much like the Evolutionary time and tide)
will wait for no man; and SO the friends,
in the best of humors, were compelled to
part.
Some how or other Herbert Prices
apartment in the dingy street off the
Strand did not seem half SO dull and cheer.
less as when he quilted it, and yet no liv.
ing soul had entered the room during his
absence. The improved appearance per.
haps arose from the alteration in his spir-
its. He hustled about the place hummine
merry air, and then went to bed, ia
dream of the realization of bright hopes,
of wedding-bells. comfortable home. a
loving wife, and devoted friends. The
best of it was that, unlike most dreams
this one was fulfilled. Iinsley's Maya
zine