Daily Kennebec journal., 1875-08-05
Gales and yketehes.
. From the Providence Journal.
SNOW.STAYED.

In his library sat Robert Hilton, en-
crossed in bis books. The door opened
very gently, and there entered pleasant
old lady, enveloped in crimson shawl.
"Why, you here, mother !" he exclaimed,
rising hastily 81 never expected to see
you at this hour of the morning; it is
hardly ten o'clock vet, and the day SO Bit
terly cold, thought you still in bed."
II had letters, Robert" she replied, as
she took the easy-chair he placed for her
near the bright fire.
II am afraid disturb you," she began,
nervously, seeing the table spread with
books of an abstruse kind.
Don't think of it, Though answer
ing thus, he was rather discomposed, for
his passion was books and research of all
kinds land he pushed the hair from his
care-worn forehead, as he prepared to lis
ten to the purpOrt of his mothers visit.
which he argued, must be something un-
usual, to make an invalid. as she was, Wis
it him so early.
Referring to her basket, Mrs. Hilton
drew thence letter, and said: ''From
my old friend, Margaret, Mrs. Cameron !"
and putting on her spectacles, she read
aloud
'Never mind the contents" he inter-
rupted, after she had read the first line.
Judging this by its many predecessors.
But, Robert, | want you to hear; that
is iwhy l came,' she returned timidly.
"She says Helen, her daughter, you know,
is coming, in few days, TO stay at Mount
Farm, quite near us; and l thought it
would look so odd if we don't ask her to
visit us also. and-I came to consult you,"
she hesitated. Il think Margaret will ex-
pect it. knew you dislike visitors in the
house, and have grown a confirmed bach
elor;' she sighed land am only poor
| invalid, not fit for much, so we are well
matched, and can dispense with visitors.
| Still-if you would rot mind for this once"
she pleaded
Robert Hilton saw trouble looming in
the distance. as he listened to his mothers
hesitating request. 1t was quite true all
she had said; he was confirmed old
bachelor, forty years old; and hated the
sight of women, rarely looking on the
face Of one but his poor old mother. No
wonder she felt apologetic and doubtful
about the success of her request, as she
watched the nervous, somewhat disjointed-
| looking figure of her tall, lean son, whose
sunken eyes had troubled expression in
them while she spoke.
"You would never see her but at meal
times" she continued. land that only for
few days, my dear, If you wouldn't
mind. would not suggest her coming
| only, she is staying so very near, and is
such a nice girl; so Margaret writes;
! though it is some years now since | saw
her. She was fifteen then, and must be
twenty now. Dear, dear, how time hies!
So long since saw her, but then, Robert,
that is your fault"
"In what wayp"
+" The only son of his mother, and she
was q widow That is my history for
years; have only lived Tor you. my dear
and if you didn't like visitors, was con-
tent not to have them, though should
like to have seen my old friend Margaret
and her children occasionally"
Il know you have been very kind to
my infirmities," he replied and his heart
smotc him, as he remembered her life OF
sacrifice, and heard her timidly pleading
for the small qualification in question.
Still, the power of habit is strong, and it
was not without great effort he deter
mined to yield. Very we'll ask her over,
if you like he said with affected careless
ness "but only for three or four days,
mind" and he turned with longing eyes to
the open book which was waiting his Pc
rusal.
THANK you; it is very good of you."
she said quite gratefully as she rose. II
will leave you now, and write to Marga-
ret to allow Helen to come to u.s."
"Only for a few days" he reminded,
already regretting his permission; 10Th
erwise, we may have her here for weeks,
if you don't specify the time"
81 think not, returned Mrs. Hilton with
quiet dignity. Margaret is q well.bred
woman. and her child no doubt takes after
her."
The old lady then rose, and Robert Hill.
ton returned to his studies and in the so.
ciety of some fossil remains, which served
as the subject of some learned paper he
was preparing for one of the Quarterlies,
he forgot the impending calamity. as his
perverted mind regarded visitor. and
that a woman, furthermore young wo-
man, in his house.
Several days passed. and one bright
frosty day in the early part of January,
party of girls were amusing themselves in
the drawing.room of the Mount Farm.
Helen Cameron, with her two old friends
and school.fellows, Annie and Clara Mar
cot. formed the trio.
Helen's best friend could not have called
her pretty, while her worst would have
found it impossible to call her plain.
She was what is termed nice girl. when
one is pushed into corner for definition.
She was agreeable, good-tempered. could
talk pleasantly on most things, had very
fair figure, with bright. intelligent face
that refused to be catalogued as regular
featured. with a complexion frequently
tinged with deep rose, interspersed with
freckles. All, poor Helen! l am afraid
that last hit may tell against you but the
portrait painter must be faithful. She had
however, one grand point; her hair was
beautiful and tell in long, wavy masses.
like bright spun silk FIRE sh from the cocoon.
caught on either side by comb which
confined it to the back of her head beyond
this there was no arranging. Nature did
the rest with admirable eye to effect.
A servant entered while they were laugh
inc and talkinp toccther and handed Hell.