Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-02


We must enter the fashionable church of
a prosperous country town. On this par
ticular Sunday, and contrary to the usual
arrangement, Alice Lanhman, the coptral
to, and Arthur Gilbert. the tenor, sat to-
gether on one side of the organist, Mabel
Strickland and Herbert Stacy, soprano
and basso, on the other.
VI these four persons, Alice Lahnman
and Herbert Stacy gave the usual amount
OF attention to their duties; and nothing
save the small coquetries and whispered
ilattefles common to voluntary and, per-
maps to other choirs, interrupted their en-
enjoyment of their own and their mental
criticism of the others performance.
With Miss Strickland and Mr., Gilbert
| all was different.
Miss Strickland probably could not have
looked plain, if she had tried, but she ap-
preached it as nearly to-day as Heaven
had made it possible.
In Arthur Gilbert change had taken
place since his entrance into the church.
which could not have escaped the obser-
vation of his companions, had they not
been entirely taken up with themselves.
Ills manner then had been radiant with
such glad, bright hopefulness that it
ought to have been pleasure merely to
look at him.
On taking his usual seat beside Miss
Strickland, he had leaned forward and
spoken to her in whisper-an ardent
whisper it would have seemed-receiyinp
in return the frigidly spoken and verv dis
linctly audible monosyllable mo" A
hurt and hurried remonstrance had then
been answered by the lady's crossing over
and taking the seat usually occupied by
Miss Lahnman. Since then she had not
glanced toward him.
Amazement sat at first alone upon his
brow; but its place was soon divided with
the Indignation of feeling causelessly out
ragged. During the whole service he
waged with himself terrible warfare.
10 leave her to a long repentance-bitter
enough he knew it would be-was the
resolution constantly combated by the bet
ter determination to make at least one at.
tempt to understand her conduct.
AT last the service approached its close.
The solemn benediction was pronounced
over the bowed heads of the con gre CATION.
The people slowly dispersed.
Miss Lahnman paused to arrange her
ribbons, and to permit Mr.. Stacy to Join
her. if such should be his pleasure.
With downcast eyes Miss Strickland
passed quickly down stairs, evidently de-
string solitude for a companion.
But after thousand struggles with pride
MIR. Gilbert had conquered himself He
met her at the foot of the stairs, and would
have walked beside her.
She paused with decision.
''Do you intend to allow me to walk with
you, Mabel ?" Mr.. Gilbert asked in a voice
of suppressed emotion; but already he
was growing angry again.
81 am much obliged, but prefer to be
alone. said Miss Strickland.
as it true. then. that you were wound
ed so deeply? Is it possible. Mabel, that
you have not yet forgiven me P"
Il have forgiven you so fully" replied
Miss Strickland, slowly and coldly, that |
have forgotten both the offence and the Of
fender. Be kind enough, if you please,
to let me pass"
lie stepped back little, looking at her
in wonder; but he spoke once more, in u
voice made intense by deep feeling.
"Ihink one moment, Mabel. Do you
realize what you are dOingn
Il quite realize that no gentleman de.
tains lady against her will. When it is
your pleasure to allow me, | shall be glad
to 60 on
And is this our farewell ?"
That has already been spoken. |
hoped it had been final"
MIR. Gilbert bowed proudly, and stepped
aside. Her face was an emotional mask:
but upon his amazement, pain, and anger
were plainly painted.
Before Miss Strickland reaches home a
very few words will throw light upon the
reason-Or unreasOn-of her conduct To
her betrothed lover.
A lovers quarrel had begun, as such
quarrels usually do, about trihe. Un-
happily, in this instance, the impetuosity
of The gentleman, irritated by the cold
pride OF the lady, had widened the breach
until it had grown to formidable dimen-
sions. each dwelling upon their own par
ucular grievance. and each declining to
take that step that hurts-the first one.
But three or four days passed in this
way had plainly demonstrated to each how
dear was the bond with which they were
tritling. Miss Strickland waited eagerly
for some token of repentance Mr.. Gil.
bert looked anxiously and in vain for a
sign that repentance would be accepted.
But after all, he knew that the initiative
was his part, and, love and generosity
urging him. he took it-in an unfortunate
manner.
Detained from church this morning, he
sent to Miss Strickland note full of love
and magnanimous self-blame; a note that
would have touched very much harder
heart than hers. But she never received
it.
Sitting in her place in the choir, before
service, she saw Joe-the unhappy wight
who blew he organ-coming up the steps
with note in his hand, and upon his
counteuance, shining with the recent ap.
plication OF brown soap. a look of unusu-
al perturbation. Joe had played Mercury
ere this. Miss Strickland smiled with out
ward encouragement and thrill of Sc.
cret joy, and held out her hand.
Joe blushed underneath all his tan and
freckles, became confused, and stammer-
ed something.
why. is it not for me ?" said Miss
drawing back her hand as if
she had touched burning coal.
No, ma'am. This'n amt. This is for