Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-14
Gales aud Sketehes.
HOW MILLY SAW THE OH TEAR OFT.
III MILIY COOLIDGE.
rcoSrrSrrp FROM YESTERDAY. ]


dead. II am seeing it out, )" thought Milly.
..just as Sarah said :" and. as the slow
strokes died away, her tears broke forth
afresh. With such an ending to one year
how was the next likely to begin?
The wind died away. It was not a very
severe night but she shivered strangely.
The .ears dried on her glazed cheeks.
Only low sob broke forth now and then,
like ripple from the misery within. And
so Mlly began her New Year
1t was one of those sobs which caught
the attention OF Tom Russell, as, making
a short "cross-lots" toward his home, he
CHANGED to pass near the door where our
luckless little maid was sitting. He hadn't
been at the party. He didn't care much
for such things, and besides, had a sick
horse to look alter: and the night so tar
had gone in blanketing, fomenting and
indicating the equine invalid. He was
going home now, spare blanket on his
arm, and in his pocket his phials, drench-
ing horn, flask, and so on.
Cupid takes on strange DISCUSSES some
times That Milly's fate should be near
ing her at this critical moment, in cow
hide boots and top-coat, with brandy
bottle in his pocket. seems funny enough,
but so it was. Tom was big. sturdy fell
low, middleaged to eyes OF seventeen:
but with the sweetest, good temper in the
world, and heart tender as any woman's.
No sound of distress ever reached his ear
unheeded. He thought this the plant OF
some little animal-a kitten or dog
nevertheless true to his instinct, he went
out 10 see. And great was his bcwilder-
ment when the covering figure on the
doorstep met his eyes.
"Milly Ives! Why, what on earth"
ooh! Mr.. Russell, don't speak out
loud; please don't" cried poor Mily, des-
peratelv. "Father and mother will be
sure to hear you"
.'And just what they ought to do" re-
sponded Tom, ..f they've locked you out,
as l suppose they have. Here, let me
knock. I'll engage to wake them up
And, suiting the action to the word, and
the word to the action, he was about to
discharge ponderous blow at the door
when Millv caught his hand in both OF
hers.
please listenr' she said; They don't
know I'm out"
Don't know Language would fail
to express the establishment in Toms
voice.
'.No, they don't know. And oh Mr..
Russell, Pun in such dreadful scrape.-
Please don't knock nor make noise but
Just 60 quietly away again"
Tom had known Milly since her baby
hood; but the idea that she could grow
up never had fairly occurred to him till
this moment, when he stood gazing at the
pale face, so pathetic in the dim light
Tell me all about it, won't you? ?" he
Il, ~ ,a,, th
So she told him all-how she never had
any fun, like other girls; and how she
longed after it. and Sarah proposed this.
But oh! il hadn't been pleasant at ALL
and now she was so unhappy and. il it
was found out she should never hold up
her head again. $50 if you will just go
away" she pleaded, in conclusion, land
let me sit here till morning. would thank
YOU so much. Father always comes down
first, and goes down TO the barn. so per-
haps may slip in, and not NEE. anyone.
I'm not cold at all.-really-that is, not
very"
Not cold Tom touched the little hand
nearest him and almost whistled in dis
may. What could he do? Take her
home he could not Waking neighbor
would be tantamount to exposing the
whole story.
I'm tell you what" he said. at last.
"As for leaving you alone here. that's cut
Of the question. l must stay by and make
sure that nobody hurts you; but ii you
will be good, and do just as | say, I'll
promise not TO make noise or alarm the
iamily-though l must say. except for
your feeling SO dreadfuly about it, it
would be by far the most sensible way.
So first of all, Milly, you must drink this"
This" was hastily composed dose of
brandy and melted snow. How lucky
that he had it about him, he thought; and
il was lucky. 1t checked the chill which
had begun to creep over Milly's limbs
and after she had swallowed it he took her
into the road and make her walk brsklv
up and down, leaning on his arm. Later
when circulation was quite restored, he
1T her go back to the step, but with the
blanket over her lap and his own coat
across her shoulders. Bless his kind
heart? He was warm enough, he said
and he cared for the poor child as tender
~ in all respects as If she had been his lit
tie sister.
The night wore on. the stars glinting
more brightly, and the armament deep.
cning in hues as the hours passed. They
talked and talked. There was something
in the situation which begat confidence.
Milly had never SO opened her thoughts to
any one before. She told him all her dis
content and restlessness. as if it had been
shrift and he father confessor: and,
guessing at far more than she could ex-
plain even to herself. he felt himself grow
soft over the lonely girl. He spoke brave.
kind words of advice and warning words
which sank into her grateful heart but all
this time his own was opening its gates
for the entrance of pity. Pity, that dan.
gerous sentiment, so akin TO love that
when once it finds admission il leaves the
the door open through which its distin-
guished relatives shall thereafter march
triumphant
Once Tom made her laugh by saying
that, except for the horse and the bells,
they might be supposed to be taking a
sleigh-ride. one OF those bewitching Leigh
rides she had SO ionged 10 share He was
glad to hear the laugh. though it was
faint and instantly checked.
Day dawned at last, with dim pink
ting in the east The cattle lowed in the
barn. A cock crowcd then another. BY