Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-28
|. lSon,inncd from first lpa.e. |

her eyee--ihe conscIUusness grew upon
Ferguson that she was very beautiful
woman.
He never felt more certain of this than
on one evening when they had climbed the
knob behind the house, te which Mr.: CNue
had directed Hesters attention on the frst
night Of their arrival, in order to see the
sun set beyond hundred hills. The vlew'
always magnificent, was the evening SO
lighted up by the splendor OF divine sun
SET that il thrilled Hester like noble music.
Above the waving ire of blue heights
living afar, the sky was all gold and GRIM
son, with here and there vivid, flame
like streak of scarlet. The cool, fresh
winds which came TO their brows seemed
to blow straight out of this bed OF glory,
while from the landscape below no sound
came up to break the stiffness that BUR
rounded them.
"Oh. how delightful this is ?" said Hes
ter, with soft little sigh.
II should not mind if il lasted ioreyer,
said Ferguson.
II am afraid we should grow tired in
that case" said Hester, with a laugh. 81
confess that after the sunset-glow has
faded shall not at all mind gong down
TO supper. This air gives one wonder
full appetite. Perhaps we shall find some
new arrivals too. See is not that the
stage yonder p
II believe it is" answered Ferguson,
looking at a speck winding along thread
far below. ~ s.Are you expecting anyone?''
he. asked, pitching a stone rather vicious
w in that direction .'For my part, there
is nothing desire less than new arrivals.
lshould like to drawa magic circle around
this forest retreat Of ours, to keep them
away.p n . fwrs.rT AZ
but would not that be selfish? How
do you know but that among those whom
you would keep away might be friend of
your ownP"
Il II have no friend whom | want 10 see
here. ~
mot even Mr.. Cleveland, of whom you
spoke the other dayP"
"Not even Laurie. There comes time
in every mans life when he desires only
one companion; and that companion. Mi
Clyde, may venture to say that have
foundr' Va
duller woman than the one whom he
addressed would have understood all that
= these words implied, but, beyond slight
increase of color, Hester betrayed not the
least sign of having done so. She said.
quietly: "That Is very pretty compli-
ment, Mr.. Ferguson, but you know don't
like compliments. Let us suppose that
Mr.. Cleveland has penetrated into your
magic circle-.hat he is on the stage pass
ing below there--you would not be SORRY
TO see him, would your"
Eyes, should be sorry 10 see any one.
But why do you make such a suppositioh9
What would bring Laurie here ?"
I 'sPerhaps to join you in a deer-huni-
perhaps 10 meet Miss Mildlnay, TO whom,
as told you. heisreported to be engag-
ed.n X ~ ~bk 3a - = s@N
,"But how could he meet her, when she
Is not herop hope that you don't mean
that she is really comingP'
at is one OF the laws Of matter, | be-
lieve, that body cannot be in two places
q at the SAME time Hence Miss Midway
{ cannot be coming, for tlie:very good iea-
son that she has already come"
Ferguson stared at the speaker, whose
clear, darkly fringed eyes met his with IL
light of amusement in their depths.
,'You are not In earnest Miss Clyde -
he said.
"a Il AM perfectly In earnest, Mr.. Fergu-
son." she answered. "Wll you try aud
pardon me-will you try not to be des-
parstely shocked-whenJ tell you that |
am Miss MildmayP"
miss Clyde p y -
sI am not Miss Clyde. except by cour-
tesy. Mr.. Clyde is only my step-father.
My proper name 10 Hester, AIildmay-but
did not come here in search of you, lIr.
Ferguson I have often heard Nellie
Black talk Of her brother, but had al
together forgotten his name-in fact. |
,,,av oav hia ovistun no Inn vnur s,orv
recalled il to me. She did invite me TO
q meet a gay party at her house this sum
mer, but, just before the time for starting,
had an attack of fever, after which pa
Do brought me here to rest. / had no in
iention of 'deceiying any one in Bearing
his name. 1 am so much attached to him
that often call myself by it. | owed you
the truth when we were discussing NJ IS
Mildmay week ago, but / was so much
amused by your intense prejudice that
could not resist the inclination 10 win your
liking befote telling yon who ! was
While she was speaking, the changes
on Ferguson's face but slightly represent
ed the tumult OF his thoughts. Nothing
could have been more unexpected, scarce
ly anything more trying, than this revela-
ton. The blood came TO his face in a
burning torrent as he recalled all that he
had said of Miss Mldmay to Miss Clyde
His first Ineligible conclusions framed it,
self unconsciously into words:
'.Great Heaven what fool | have
been!''
II don't agree with you said Hester,
unable longer to restrain a laugh. You
were not to blame failing to suspect who
| was, if that is what you mean. Apart
from that photograph gives little idea of
the real eountenanee. had lost flesh and
color by illness, and fashion had abolished
the elaborate couture, and brought 10
simple arrangement Of hair. As to the
silken skirts which You came here TO
avoid, should never under any circum-
stances. be guilty Of the bad taste OF wear
ing those iD the forest" E
''Ysu may spare me, think" he said,
IN low voice. 81 am sufficiently pun
ished."
''But you should not feel that way at
ALL" cried Hester, eagerly. Il was not
in the least hurt or offended by your opin =
ion
.'Since IL was aItogeiher without valus