Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-28
NO. 1856.
Calls and Sketehes.
From Appleton's Monthly Journal.
A FOREST RETREAT. 20
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY
BY CHRISTIAN REID.

''"' i"uSucu out Sdyiy. wv nat
pity that my face should recall anything
so disagreeabe I" she said. II will try
ana remember hereafter not to turn my
profile toward you" r.I
Pray don't misunderstood me-" he re-
plied eagerly. 81 was about to say that,
although it was impossible not to admire
the beauty of Miss Mildmay's face, | dis
iiked the expression exceedingly; and it
Is IN expression that your face differs en-
tirely from hers. The outline of feature
may be similar, but the spirit that shines
through and makes the countenance is alb
solutely unlike. Indeed. it is strange that
two such opposite types of womanhood
should in any respect resemble each 9TH
er." -
"Yes. it is strange" said Hester de-
murely, though her mouth was dimpled
by irrepressible smiles. But YOU have
not told me yet how Miss Midway sent
you here"
Very uncon.ciously on her part. NV
sister, who has a country house which she
is very fond of filling with gay company,
wrote to me month ago that she desired
me to meet her. | replied by calm but
decided refusal, packed my valise, and
started for the Wilderness at once"
''Was such desperate measure neces-
saryP You hardly fancied that your sis
ter and Miss Mildmay would join forces
and descend upon you, did you p''
81 am afraid | have told my story so
stupidly that you think me a concerted
puppy" said Ferguson, hastily-for Hes
ters sweet upper lip" had curled not a
little over her last words. II fancied
nothing of the kind; did not for mo.
ment imagine that Miss Mildmay had be-
slowed, or was likely to bestow, a serious
thought upon me; but / did feel a great
aversion 10 the idea of meeting her, and
was anxious to be out of Nell's reach.
Besides which, description that heard
of this place delighted me. | felt sure
that II came here, no fashionable bellies
would rustic their silken skirts about my
ears. In fact, Laurie Clevelana-the
friend who described the place to me
said as much" at. e7H4
Laurie Cleveland !" A soft, bright
blush spranng to Hester's face. ''Do you
81 have known him for years, and he Is
one of the best fellows-may l infer that
you know HIM, Miss Clyde P''
YES, quite well. Are you aware that
he is reported to be engaged to Miss Mild
may P"
'What, Cleveland! l should be sorry
to think 1t true. Such frank, genial,
generous soul deserves better luck than
to marry woman stepped to the lips in
worldliness. But l may be very indis.
Greet in talking in this way-probably you
know Miss Mildmay, perhaps she may
even be friend of yours p''
II know her, Hester answered. with
fitting smile, "but you need not fear that
will betray your confidence, or that ifI
did she would resent your opinion, based
altogether as it is on hearsay."
docs that mean that you think it uu-
Just P"
II do not think it very accurate-but.
perhaps, some time you will meet Miss
and be able to decide on its JUS
tice Yourself"
81 am constrained to hope not. Wo-
men OF the order to which Miss Mildmay
belongs are never attractive 10 me. '
Hester did not ask what order of wo-
men were attractive to him. She said:
My cross is finished. What do you
think of it p
He understood that the subject was put
aside.
III.
The day after this conversation, Mr..
Clyde brought Hester letter.
III came under cover to me-" he said.
"Have you given directions to that effect
| think know who is the writer.
Very likely you do" she answered,
with smile; and bright tide of color
came flowing into her face.
She said nothing more, and carried her
letter away to read it in solitude. but,
" hen her father saw her again, there was
such light of gladness on her face that il
was his turn to smile, as he said:
lis your correspondent coming, Hes
er P'
Yes, papa, he will be here by the end
Of the week." she answered, simply.
IL think he will find you improved.
You are not quite the pale little shadow
you were when you came"
Il improve every day, every hour, in
this glorious atmosphere. l mean here
after to spend as much time as possible In
The open air, and if | am as dark as any
Indian maid who ever leaped over pre-
cipice when | go back TO mamma, Won
need not be surprised"
''But she will be horror-struck, said
Mr.. Clyde.
Hester did not fail to execute her reso-
ution. AS much time as possible she
spent in the open ar-gaining health and
strength preceptbly with every hour.
Ferguson was frequently her companion
IN these rambles, and their accidental ac-
luaintance ripened from constant associa-
ion into very cordial canaaraderie. The
gentleman told himself that he had never
before enjoyed the society of woman so
never before seen the best
qualities of the feminine mind SO striking
ly displayed: the grace, versatility, and
appreciation. which are woman's chief
intellectual charms. There could be no
doubt that for some reason Hester exerted
herself to make him aware of the fact that
she possessed mind which, besides its
native brightness, had received rather
more than the usual dessltory culture OF
'oung ladyhood. and a taste which was
always delicate and refined. On her per-
onal appearance she seemed to bestow
title thought, and her dress was always
emarkable for its simplicity; but day BY
lcosrlSuED on FOURTH FACE