Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-25

Tho was providing up and down his den
all night, and. this morning. he went ou'
at day break" 49,.
I'm that case / suggested, suppose
We avail ourselves of the priests absence
and invade the sanctuary. There are
many tricks and devices familiar to the
painters art which shall be happy to eN-
pose. Likewise, the business OF an un-
finished picture seems TO require investl-
CATION
n There is no doubt that Clara looked IN
ouisitive. and Ruth at once volunteered to
show the way.
.You would never know my trim store
room.,' said Ruth, as she let us into the
atclier, and indeed it was chaos OF dis
order.
Bob's easel was near the window. Mel
lie ran to i. and gave,a cry.
"Look p she said, and stared in stnpor
at the canvass.
We looked. my cousins figure was still
there, but some studions stroke OF the
brush had totally erased her features.
"Hullor' / cried, whats the meaning
of this p
Clara's face was very pale. She did not
speak.
ut Means said Ruth, with culver
inr lip, lit means we had no right to
come here And she led us silently from
the room.
do not claim to possess the fine intni-
tions of some gifted natures, but confess
that Master Rob's performance provoked
sundry reflections. which l was shrewd
enough to keep to myself, and think it
regrettable that another member OF the
company, having less experience OF the
ways OF men, failed to exhibit an equal
discretion. had strolled into the garden.
having observed that the ladies were DRIFT
ing toward feminine topics, and was rum
mating over cigar, when Miss Nellie.
equipped with q basket, intent on black
berries, came running out aglow with mis-
chief and hilarity.
such fun p she explained between
peals of laughter. I'VE were in the par
lor lust now, Clara and I-she was teach
ing me waltz-when Bob came in, glum
ms q ghost. So, of course, l began to
tease him about spelling that lovely pie
ture. and said lie just wanted an excuse
to pulter over it, and then he grew white,
and Clara was in flutter, so left him to
defend himself. Won't she scold him.
thought and the picture of Bob's predi'
cament afforded her infinite delight
was not quite heal less enough to be
carried away by the damsels merriment,
and opining that the presence of third
person might be grateful under the Cir
cumstances, set forth to break the tete-a
tete. But veranda skirted that side OF
the house. and window OF the keeping
room, which adjoined the parlor, standing
open. glanced into it as | passed, and
stopped There was Ruth, half-risen
from chair in strange. irresolute attl
tude, her work fallen to the floor, one
hand shading her eyes and the other
pressed against her side, while her lips
looked dry and parted, as If some word
she sought to utter found no breath.
While she failed to hear my step ! under
stood when presently voices, low but aud
ible, reached us both through an open
door. recognized Clara's first.
Indeed you must not say that, Mr.. Ly-
on; il is we who owe excuse. You must
have been greatly annoyed about that pic
ture, and it was selfish thing to ask it at
such time. II mamma had known; but
but she--you must try to pardon us
Clara Bob could say no more.
She went on hurriedIy.
lie me have it as il is. will not like
il less because the artist was too happy TO
finish it : 1t will remind me of your hap
piness and Ruth's-dear Ruth, whom ]
love so dearly, and who loves me-,
CLARA r'-Bobs voice came hoarse,
and short-"you are worthy of each 9TH
err, and of neither. Do what ! will,
must be false, dsloyal. ! cannot even
give yon that blotted canvas, because
here the mans voice shivered into kind
of passionate sob-s'because il is con-
fession and prayer"
He was gone-I heard his footsteps in
The hall. But would not look at Ruth;
my own pulse quiyered, and | moved
away.
Ruth and Clara were thrown much to-
gether at this period, and very cordial
sincere attachment appeared to bind those
young ladies. 1t had been decreed in Sc
cret conclaye that Miss Tyrrell should be
one OF the bridesmaids-Miss Nellie, OF
course, being the other, and urging Tor
ward with the utmost zeal and excitement
the necessary preparations for the we'd
dag. That event was now at hand, and
Robin bore himself quietly and thought
fully, as became man vowed to grave
RESPONSIBILITIES, and evinced little oithat
petulance and restlessness which ! had
remarked at an early stage.
1t may have been day or two before
the ceremony that Bob was rowing about
the orchard, when Ruth came out to him.
and laid her hand shyly on his arm.
"What is it, dear ?" he said gently for
the girls cheek was flushing, and her
eyes did not meet his own.
There is something" Ruth whispered,
something, Bob that ought to be said.
You are different now, dear, from what
you were when We liked each other first
greater and higher, i know
well. While T." she went on sadly, IAN
Just the samoa farmers child. ii. only
for the farm. ] cannot talk to You and
hope TO feel as others do"
"Dear Ruth" he said, and his eyes
were wet with generous tears, what
eoald put that nonsense in your hand ? You
can make me happy. dearest. None knows
YOU hut Is happier and better.n
Thank you for saying that she said
simply, and looked up once into his face
''you have loyal heart, dear. Judged
it rightly. Perhaps ! may be worthier of
you than, said and here her voice again
sunk to a whisper-.I will try to prove