Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-07
NO. loe.,
Tales aud Sketehes.
JOE'S REWARD.
CONCLUDED FROM rEs1ERpAr.1

feel brave it is the presence of one less
courageous than himself. Joe saw the
wavering color in the sensitive face of
lovely little Wardie Hastings and his own
courage rose accordingly. II shan't mind
her; she won't trouble me-" he said 10
himself, with feeling of boldness.
amounting almost to heroism. / wish !
could truthfully add that his subsequent
conduct corrobOrated this declaration of
valor.-On the contrary, after little time
he grew even more painfully embarrassed
in her presence than he had ever been be-
fore in his life. 1t certainly could not
have been because she was bold and for
ward as he inwardly called Linda's girls
when they teased him to take them to
drives and sails, and insisted upon coming
into his workroom to see his plans and
models. and books. soberiy averring that
they ''only wanted to see the pictures.'
And yet one shy quick glance from
Wardie Hastings soft eyes bewildered and
unnerved him, more than all their merci-
less teasings and badinage. But il Joe was
afraid of her, it soon became quite evident
that Robert was not 1t was not in Rob-
erts nature to be particularly afraid Of any
girl; but there was something in this gen.
tie, shy, sensitive, little creature, that at
once challenged that innate love of pur-
suit which is so largely inherent in the
masculine human nature
Sometimes Joe fancied that she shrank
just a little from his brothers attentions.
marked as they were by his naturally gay,
rollicking demonstrative spirit. But Bob
was not easily abashed or set aside. He
had way of forcing himself into ones
good graces, whether they would or no. A
| nl fa1l1 to-
serve, or lead forlorn hope in loves cru
SADIE; gay, good. genial but
without those finer shades of thought and
feeling, and those lofty and tender senti-
ments at heart and mind which were the
predominant trait in Joe's character and
disposition. And yet, as I said before.
Robert was considered "splendid,n and
Joe, who had twice the chivalrous and
delicate spirit of love in his heart for
women, was a legitimate subject for their
indifference or ridicule.
Frank, who was much like Robert, only
a little less assured and somewhat quieter,
was engaged to Il young lady in the neigh
borhood. and as the wedding was to take
place during his cousins visit, and the
time for devotion aud preference being so
short (here would be no necessity for
those things afterwards. as every observer
knows), he certainly could not be expec-
ted to pay the ladies anv but the most
casual attentions.-And so poor Joe was
drafted into service. They had come
down there to have good time, and they
fully intended to have it. They invaded
Joes hours of labor, study and leisure
They came upon him at all times, and in
all places, and got him in all manner of
difficult and ridiculous situations. Only
when locked in his chamber for the night
did he feel perfect sense of safety and
peace. More than once it was upon his
tongues end to wish them home again,
but something always came up in his heart
with dull, painful thud, and sent the
wish back, leaving only the faintest echo
OF sigh in its place.
Meanwhile, the intimacy between Rob-
ert and Wardie Hastings had assumed
character which afforded subject for rail-
lery, and sometimes serious comment.
''l'll confess I'm little surprised" Jen-
ME said, one day, in confidential mood,
TO Joe. as she watched the plan he was
sketching grow into grace and proportion.
For the first few days after we came
was morally certain the desire of my heart
would be gratified.'
"Wha, is it, pray ?" he asked, looking
up.
10 see Reward Hastings your wife,
she said, boldly. lit was lust what |
brought her here for. I'll never attempt
to make another match rs long as live
son And really troubled look showed
itself in the laughing brown eyes, and
something like a flush stole up to the gip-
seysh cheek You see," She went on,
rapidly. not noticing the terrible blunder
he made Just then in the line he was
drawing, Reward is the dearest little
girl in the world, but she has got some
fine ideal notions of love and marriage,
and she is altogether too bright and good
for human natures daily food. | mean
you know, she is too proud, and shy, and
sensitive, and has too exalted ideas of men
and things to be happy with the average
man. Now Cousin Joc-Im not teasing
now-l don't know of another man in the
world that would SO nearly come up to
Wardie' S ideal as YOURSELF
And yet Robert and are quite unlike
he said in an odd. constrained voice.
'Nes, know" And then she fell intoa
very unusual silence which lasted for sew
eral minutes, Joe, meanwhile. drawing
line after line with a firm steady hand.
Suddenly, with little nervous shiver, she
caught the paper away.
Not another line, Joe Clayton" she
cried, "unless you want to drive me dis
tracted I've heard of the dripping theory,
but what are a few drops of water on ones
head, compared to those horribly straight
lines you draw. and draw, and draw
Come It's growing dark, and just hear
the wind . 1t is going to storm there it
thunders. She caught his arm in her ex-
element and drew him to the door.
'lts only the tide coming in," he said
looking off toward the long line OF rock
and sand which outlined the beach. Then,
as the white spray dashed over the gray.
dimly-defned lodges, he added: There
is strong wind, sure enough. See how
misty the sea is FL
Madge came ont the kitchen door, her
sleeves pinned to her shoulders, and a
check apron enveloping her like cloud.
Madge had domestic turn. and had been
experimenting in sugar gingerbread. w
'.You peor useless butterflies just look
at me-" she cried, holding up her check