Daily Kennebec journal., 1875-12-16
fContinued from first page. ]


Aunt Abby was very useful it the child
rem bad measles or scarlet fever, there
was no place she could call her home;
so now we two, the odd ones in the fami-
lv. planned to end our days together:
Phil and were mnch with each other, and
one evening in the beginning OF Decem-
ber we were sitting in his sanctum smok-
ing quiet pipe together, and he was tell
ing me of some improvements he meant
to make on his place, when said lestlng-
": "What pity it is you haven't MADE
some woman happy with the gut OF your
hand and pleasant home, with all ITS etcet-
eras of lame horses and charity patients:
Phil puffed cloud of smoke into the air
and sat watching the soft rings in silence
for some moments; then he said quietly,
II have been waiting these twenty years.
Archie, for my wife, and l still believe
that she will come, though its a long time,
a long time" he repeated musingly::
Was my friend dreaming? said moth
ing, but sat waiting some further enlight-
eminent.
.You never knew my brother Paul did
you. Archie ?'' Phil commenced in his full,
quiet voice. Poor fellow, he met with
an accident when child which lamed him
for life. When he was-let me see-aoout
twenty-five Che was eight years younger
than myself took him to Germany to con-
suit famous physician. in whose skill
had great faith. Just before our sailing
three passengers came on board, who at
tracted nv attention and interest from the
first. One was man between forty ana
fifty, handsome and stylish-looking, but
with an unpleasant air of bravado about
him, and fnrtive way of watching people
which impressed me very unfavorably.
He was followed by man some years
Younger than himself, on whose arm
leaned young and very pretty lady. AS
they passed into the cabin many eyes were
talking wholly in French, and paying little
or no attention to their silent companion.
Paul had his meals brought up on deck.
aud at dinner l found | was seated next
the young lady who had so excited my in
terest that morning. | never asked you.
Archie. whether you cared to hear this
long story: my heart was so full of it to.
night that l began almost without think
ing. IfIweary you. you will try to par
don me.
well. that night many glances of ad-
miration were cast upon my neighbor,
glances not unmingled with pity; thepale.
beautiful face was so very sad, and the
large brown eyes seemed heavy with un-
shed tears. As she raised her hand saw
she wore wedding ring. The elder OF
the two gentlemen was evidently her ia
ther, the likeness between them was so
strong. and the other, ] became convinced
was her husband, although he seemed
strangely indifferent to her comfort or
As we left the table she
dropped her handkerchief, and when she
raised her eyes to mine in thanking me
for restoring it, whether she saw the in
terest and sympathy | felt revealed in my
face / could not tell, but slight blush
tinged her cheek as she turned away.
ssThe next morning when | returned
from search for Paul's books and rug,
found. her seated beside him. She apollo
gized very sweetly for her ''intrusion,"
then said, with glance at her husband
who was leaning on the back OF her char,
mir. Lambert had some books which he
thought your brother might like to sec.'
"Mr. Lambert acknowledged my thanks
with a careless bow, saying, with scarce
ly perceptible sneer in his voice, as he
strolled away, My wife is devoted to in
valids."
MRS. Lambert glanced up at me with
a troubled look, as if she feared my being
offended but as endeayored by my man.
ner to reassure her, she was soon chatting
quite cheerfully to Paul, who seemed to
have taken one of his violent fancies to
her at once.
fCOyTINUFD TO- MORROW