Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-09-01
rconcluded from first page. !


Il. 4 SIidast care TO read his lame excuses
he couldn't say anything didn't know
already. / didn't want to keep alive any
spark of regret or affection for him. |
wanted 10 tread on 1t, as would on ser
pent that had sung me. But nature is
sometimes stronger than resolve, |
couldn't bring myself to burn the letter.
I've kept it with the seal unbrokeh and I've
written it In my will that it shall be buried
with me. =
well, it was ten years later before i
married Mr.. Dunn-not for love, oil course
that was all over with me. But he was
going to the bad, and needed helping
hand. and vowed it would be the same
thing as giving him over TO damnaton II
refused. Bot was rightly served He
led me a hard life and spent my money,
aud here am widow, not SO well oil as
was at twenty -five, with the world be-
fore me where To choose, and belief IN
happiness this SIDE heaven. All, we've
let the fire get low. FIN all OF a SILVER.
How garrulous I've been Save us, II
twelve O'Clock y 5g, .etgt
"It is Christmas day" said Mr.. Roy
burne. "You leave your story unfinished
unless you read the letter of Jules. why
not celebrate Tie day thus, ii may be 50
bold P'
..Do you know, I've been tempted to do
that very thing. I've been fighllng against
it all yesterday" she answered.
1T never occurred to you, perhaps. that
it NAV not have been the money-;be
stocking--that he meant to rob you OF p
..What else could it have been. pray ?
He knew the money was there; he had
urgent need of it. He did not know that
loved him we'll enough to overlook his
offense. and give him all had for the ask
ing. / would have followed to the ends
OF the earth but for that, for better or
worse. Not that cared fig for the
money! could wish it had all been sunk
in the Red Sea before it fell to me. 1t 1t
was not that, why should he have blushed
and hung his head, and left me without
word in extenuation?n
WAS not the other fault grave enough
to make man blush and hang his head
before his sweetheart P-enough to render
him speeches Ye gods But the letter
Shall we hear it P Remember this is the
dawning of peace and good will toward
men,"
u almost dread it," she said, taking the
yellowed letter from its hiding-place. ut
is like resurrection of the past; it will
all seem as If it had happened yesterday.
There, do you read it tor me; my eyes
are full Of tears; the lines run together"
And Mr.. Royburne read:
II cannot hope, dear Jennie, that you
could forgive me; saw that there was
no money for me in your face last night
wheu had ycrept into your house, hoping
to carry off your picture as a remembrance
of all had lost by my folly and sin, not
daring to meet you face to face and hear
your npbraidings and see the contempt in
your eyes, and beg you for that last favor.
Bat 1 ask that you will not utterly despise
me, that you will think as kindly of me as
you may, believing that my temptation
was great, and my punishment almost
more than can bear; that, like manga
poor sinner, my intentions were better |
than my deed. Should you have one ten
der word for me, one consoling thought
to cheer my exile. write it to London, not
to Jules Adderley, but''-and here Mr..
Royburne paused and bent toward Mrs
Dunn, and took her hand in his. caress-
ingly. do you follow me, Jennie Not
to Jules Adderley. but to John Royburne."
''Christ's blessing on the newly born
And the Christmas stars shone in bright
ly, for the candles had burned out, and
the two long parted lovers knelt together
in the first hour of the Christmas day
Hayper's Ba!ar.