Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-08

come back P' said Pinkie.
"Oh dear me-" cried poor little Miss
Marigold. throwing up her hands with
such start as TO shake several Of her
nut-shells down upon the carpet. should
be so embarrassed shouldn't know what
to do. The idea of having a man about
Oh, dear me-"
well | don't know" said Miss Pink
ham, "if you had not any one else. To
be sure should not think of such thing
myself but then if you had no one TO speak
to- week In and week out"
"oh. shouldn't think of such thing
myself said Pinkie "but then if you
had no one to speak TO,
"Oh dear me-" said Miss Margold
again, II should be so embarrassed ~ But
tben-as old memories began to steal
back. the tender light came into her eyes
again, and she held her stiletto Thoughtful
~ point ted into vacancy.
''He used to call me 'Marigold -GOldi-
Mary" she said softly, land l. with a
little laugh-"used to call him Jack-at-a-
Pinch" because his name was Jack
Pynchon, and because il leased him. !
am sorry now that ever did, but i; was
so amusingm
And then. as it flashed upon her that
self, she changed the subject, with an air
that did not admit of recurring to it; the
tight-waisted calico took away their plates,
they al took their knitting work, and an
other hour passed very happily, until
Miss Marigold declared she positively
m lst 60 home.
But when she had stepped round the
projecting corner of the shop, and into
ner own little Darkroom again. she could
not tell why the words of Pinkham Sisters
would press in upon her mind so persist
emily.
"A little solitary"
''lt's only the sudden change" said
Miss Marigold cheerily, "it will all come
right in few minutes; and | do believe
that second bud has tipped out little
since morning"
She sat down in a low, red -cushioned
rocking-chair, on the sitting-room side Of
the seam. The twilight was falling,
and she felt quiet after the unusual excite
ment Of the day. More words of Pink
ham Sisters began to press back, and the
- soft look began to gather in Miss Mari
COLDS eyes once more. How close they
were drawing again, those days so long
gone by. Just as they had done in the
morning, only with such strange Ten
derness added in their touch. Miss Mar
igold closed her eyes and leaned her head
upon her chair as if she felt a caress.
Aud 80, as the twilight deepened. the
present hour still more grew dim as if
the years between now and then wera
blotted out. Miss Marigold seemed TO her.
self girl again. How soft and delicate
her cheek was; how long, and soft, and
golden her hair, and lightly she breath
cd as some one bent over her and whis-
pered many things.
Jack! Jack-at-a-Pinch :" she said,
and stretched out her arms in the dim
light. Then starting up, she shook the
red cushion into shape again with little
spat.
why, this will never do !" she ex-
claimed; lido get a light, Miss Marigold,
and find find out the longitude of Zanzi-
bar So unntelligent -
But just as she was taking the match in
her hand, there came another knock at
the shop-door, and Miss Marigold was
startled again.
IA second time p she said, $50 unu-
sual on such day."
Nevertheless, seeing that there was
still = little glow of sunset on that side of
the way, she ventured to step to the door
and open it,
Not the tight-waisted calico, this time,
but a tall stranger, his face much con-
cealed between his hat and handsome
curling beard of iron gray.
II beg your PARDON he said, as he
raised the hat slightly. II don't know
that you attend to sales to-day; don't
know that l ought TO ask you"
"Oh, yes, SIR" said Miss Marigold,
with her own smile, ''if there is anything
really required" and between that mo-
ment and taking her place behind the
counter. she had arranged in her own
mind the whole account of how he had
come in town with his wife for Thanks
giving. and how they either lived where
they could not make purchases, or how
some accident had befallen her since she
came in.
The Stranger hesitated a moment; but
Miss Marigold was accustomed to see men
do that, when they forgot the name of the
article they were sent for.
Handsome eyes" thought Miss Mali
gold, very" but what a strange thrill
they gave her, and how steadily they
gazed into her own
"What is that in the window Pr he said
Ribbon? That is what | want"
''Yes, SIR" said Miss Marigold; "did
she send sample ?" and she reached her
hand half over the counter to receive it.
NO." said the stranger: "Tll take it
ALL"
Then, seeing startled look on her face.
rejecting that she might not like so sud-
den diminution of her stock, he added
Never mind Give me any of the pieces
And what are theseP Feathers Pr
Miss Marigod silently placed the box
on the counter. Her little vision of the
happy Thanksgiving party had vanished
''Oh dear - she said to herself. I'm
afraid he is going TO a masquerade r'
an take these said the stranger,
and" He looked about for some
further purchases, and seeing nothing but
rows OF boxes, whose contents were past
of his divining, he turned his eyes towards
the bonnets upon the frame, and added
quietly, zone of these -
The masquerade became a nullity in
Miss Marigold's mind. and the fearful
thought of escape from the lunatic asylum
was just ready TO take its place, when the