Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-17
IContinued from first page

but As we entered the hall his voice greeted
ms. IL hear you; come, Kathleen. II
was only when saw them together that |
knew how much he had missed her. lie
seemed quite content to lie and hold her
hand. gazing up at her with such tran
quill look upon his face as it had lot worn
for weeks. He only let her go on the
promise of seeing her every day, and that
NIGHT when the good German woman with
whom we lodged came in to ask him now
he was, he told her, withsthe bright smile
so rare now on the wan face, that ne was
'.quite well. My little sister has come 70
be with me- You must see her to-nor r.
row." Then he added. more to hlmseh
than to us, ..I'm getting ready;
The next day kathleens father brought
her. He came in and stayed few m'n i,
utes was kind and friendly to Paul ana
courteous to me his manner seemed soft
ened, but whether that was only IN the
presence of my poor boy could not tell
Kathleen's eyes followed him wistiully as
he went out, and heard her sigh. knew
now certainly that both he and her hus-
band were professional gamblers.
During one of her visits she happened
to mention having spent few weeks IN
this village 1T was such happy, quiet
time,' she said dreamily. Il always asso-
ciate rest with that little hamlet among
the hills. When die l should like TO be
there. There was such pretty grassy
slope in the old churchyard. l wish
could think would sleep there some time.
Then she looked up with smile. DO
YOU know | often see that green slope In
nv dreams, and once ! saw white cross
standing there, and when ] went to it my
name was on il. ~
That night Paul had Il long fit Of pain ;
he tainted several times; and the next day
when Kathleen came he said quietly,
won't you stay with me now. Kathleen,
till the last? 1t won't be long And
Kathleen, glancing at my face, promised
him.
In the afternoon fine. drilling rain
commenced to fall, and when the twilight
began to wrap street and houses in its soft
gray folds, seated myself in one OF the
windows listening to the drip, drip, OF the
rain. and thinking what dreary void my
life would be before the next days sun
would rise. Paul and Kathleen were talk
ing in low tones, and now and then |
could hear few words:
.Js your mother like you. Kathleen ?
Then shall know her. Now tell me what
must say"
Tell her Paul, that am living out her
life. that though the road be long and the
path set thick with thorns, my feet, like
hers, will one day reach the goal. Then
her voice broke, and she said sobbingly,
"Oh, Paul, my brother, cannot you take
me too p'' His answer was too low to
reach my ear. but presently her sobs
ceased and then he called family, phillip"
was beside him Immediately. Raise
me up. Phil. No, don't ring for lights
wish you could take me home, Philip.
and lay me in the churchyard Kathleen
speaks about. Hush, Kathleen, dear, and
Philip, you must hope and be patient.
The beginning of the end seems very near
to me-" Then his voice sank. Presently
he Katheen-Philip-" and
when l laid him down, the smile that had
settled on his pale young face was the
smile with which he woke in heaven.
Perhaps it was well for me that | had
to attend to Kathleen, whose grief really
alarmed NE. Leaving the dead body Of
my Paul in the care of our kindly landlord,
/ took her to her carriage. Then, afraid
to leave her, l accompanied her home.
She was quite silent, only every little
while she would sigh shudderingly. As
we neared their hotel she turned to me
with an agonized CLEAN in her dark eyes:
Now Paul is gone. | have no one-no
one.n Then said to her quietly, with
the shadow of our great sorrow lying be-
tween us. Promise me. Kathleen, that
il your burden shall become too great for
you to bear, you will let me help YOU"
and she stilled her sobs to say solemnly,
Philip, l promise
"Well, Archie, my story is almost done.
The next year was terrible to me. |
missed Paul daily and hourly. and life.
that had once seemed SO full and bright,
grew only a weary load which yet must
bear. Then / read Mr.. Lamberts death
in French journal. Poor Kathleen was
released. Then knew the great hunger
of my life might yet be satisfied. A love,
whose mighty presence l had not guessed
sprang up in my heart. | wrote to her
sending the letter to Paris. | knew she
did not love him. so my haste was no in
suit. Il am going to that village among
the hills to wait. When you are free come
to me. ="
CONTINUED TOMORROW.