Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-20
NO. 276.
Calls aud Sketehes.
IN CLorER.

You could not give us more delight
ful compliment | said; ''but my friend
Miss Dale is to be credited individually
with that floral arrangement which so
pleases you. Will you come in to the mu-
sic-room.'
Margaret was seated before the piano,
where she had been practising for three
weary hours, her hands just then folded
over the ivory keys, and the golden head
bowed thereon while Emily seated by the
window. puzzled perseveringly over an
ancient spinning-wheel which she had
brought from the garret. They both rose
"a | introduced Mr.. Thornton. He accos-
ted Margaret with his usual directness of
speech, which would have been brusque
were It not for the pleasant tone and gen
ial face.
"Do you sing. Miss Dale p
No. she answered, flushing slightly.
None of us sing" said Emily, cOming
to her aid "but we can all play 'Weber's
Last Waltz on the piano, and paint land
scapes in India ink on Bristol-board''
els it possible" Mr.. Thornton replied,
that with snch accomplishments, you de-
sign to finger your grandmother's spin
net ?" pointing to her wheel.
" the fashionable hobby-horse of the day.
Alas alas swells the chorus let us weep
for our grandmoihers, for we shall never
see their virtuous likes again
He was ready with his quip, and they
tilted merrily, laughing with them,
while Margaret, without word, scarcely
smiled.
At parting, Mr.. Thornton again APP
EoL lar oil 10
this instrument ?" he said, with vast dis
dain touching the piano.
"Yes-no-not well,r she replied.
II would rather hear you say not at all.
To my mind it is at best an ingenious ar
rangement of cords and pretty keys and
polished rosewood legs, the work OF
mechanism, not art.
Convert the railer.' we cried.
Margaret turned and slightly touched
the keys She possessed what we music
teachers call a fine touch. Sweet and
sympathetic sounds sprang to her faintest
sign they flowed melodious, instinct with
purest feeling. We watched the effect on
Mr.. Thornton for moment he was 81
lent, then rose, and extending his hand to
Margaret, sald,-
That is beautiful; but l insist that it is
you who create it, and in spite of the in
strument-Genius will call music from
walls and stones, but you should use the
violin or flute, Miss Dale. In them slum-
bers the soul Of music"
We soon learned to look with great ia
vor upon our new neighbor; indeed, he
proved the kndest, most generous, and
untring of friends. Almost every morn
ing he rode over from Summer Hill on his
black horse, his riding-whip
under his arm. and the never-absent grey
hounds scampering behind. Meanwhile
other friendly neighbors called upon us.
Thornton was keld in high esteem in the
neighborhood, and yearly elected to mag
isterial honors some, however intimating
that Philip Thornton's pride was rather
oveI weening for a country farmer. Alack
we ourselves soon became the theme of
gossiping tongues. How they learned Of
Mr.. Thornton frequent visits it is impOs-
sible TO guess.
Did the shrewish thirds shrek the
startling intelligence ? or the little brook
which ran through our meadow babble the
news over the mill-wheel four miles be-
low? '1'is true Joseph Smith or his
close mouthed wife might have given the
but that was by no means
probable BE this rs it may, our neigh
borly gossps, by many significant look
and wink and slyly dropped jest, betrayed
their lively appreciation OF, and interest
in. our affairs. At last a sudden illumi-
nation solved for me the riddle. Hearing
our neighbor's voice one morning went
to the window to greet him. A pleasing
picture, framed by the vine-festooned
window, met my eye. Margaret and Mr..
Thornton stood by the mulberry tree; he
held lightly on his arm the bridle of his
horse, while Margaret's white hand
sroked the beautiful creatures glossy
neck, bent low to her caress. He gazed
eagerly into her face. could see the
light of his blue eyes. and Margaret
hers. clear, gentle, trusting. Yes, yes
| felt sure had discovered their sweet Sc
cret, perhaps before they themselves. 1t
was just the right thing. clapped my
hauds noisily and danced with delight. /
longed to impart my surmises to Emily,
but restrained myself. resolving not to
breathe an indiscreet thought. enjoyed
this pleasing day dream for nearly week
when Margaret herself ruthlessly de-
stroyed the whole fair fabric. She an
nounced her immediate return to the city.
Musical instruction and a long standing
order OF visitation nom GRABBED rich
relative were her pleas. Indeed. 1t was
absolutely necessary that she should leave
at once, She declared with an obstinacy
had never before observed in our soft,
gentle Margaret. My arguments, en-
treaties, tears, made no impression, save
to mark her sweet, pale face with speech
less sorrow. At last | left her, and wan
dered into the garden to cool my brain
and devise some new method OF attack.
Emily came running out. and clasping her
arm in mine, walked up and down the
path with me. There was evidently some.
thing ON her mind. Presently she whis-
pered-
"Rhoda. think know the cause of
Margarets sudden resolve
Tell me at once.n l demanded.
But Emily blushed and stammered, and
finally blundered OUT
"Rhoda. dear Rhoda, l hope you are
not-don't--well, | mean do not care es-
pecally for Mr. Thornton p
What do you mean, you little goose?"
Il mean.H gasped EN-, desperately,
''that you are not in love with him ~
"Of course am not answered, too