Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-02
ICnntinued from first page. |

each of the two ladies'. lie had lost lne
note for Miss Strickland, and having no
intention of confessing the fact, jumbled
I'D names in this peculiarly undesirable
manner. 8,
Counseled by anger, Miss Strickland
believed him. She saw Miss Labnman
read the note-saw her smile and blush.
After that she saw very little more dur
ing the day. And Mr. Gilbert's words at
the church door seemed to her no more
than gratuitous insult
Four weeks passed after that Sunday
without a word of explanation. Nor did
she once see her lover. Time forgot his
wings, and crept on leaden feet. Miss
Stricklands face grew noticeably pale and
thinner; look of expectancy became al
most habitual to her eyes and lips. Inc
postman's ring startled her. a sudden
voice, step quicker than usual, sent a
rapid flush to her cheeks, which, fadlng'
left her paler than before. Instead OF SAD,
dening. however, she was even gayer ana
more Vivacious than was usual or perhaps
even natural with her. But her health
SINK under the effort, despite her courage,
and at length her mother, becoming
alarmed, proposed sojourn among the
mountains.
To the mountains they went. But now,
weakened a little, by the i'll health from
which all her pride could not shield her,
Mabel begged for ouiet-some pleasant
farmhouse, not the great, crowded, noisy
hotel.
Money can find almost everything, and
thew discovered the farmhouse. the ideal
farmhouse, large, pleasant, beautifully
situated, and containing, as their hostess
told them, but three or four boarders be-
sides themselves"
1t would be perfect said Mabel, sink,
ing on the couch when the landlady had
left them-''it would be perfect. il there
was nobody. mamma. but you and me.
The dav following their arrival Miss
Strickland was too unwell to 90 down
stairs at all; but the next evening, feel
ing better, she went down to tea. Mrs.
Kittrell, the landladv, casually remarked
that two of her boarders had walked that
afternoon to the top OF a hill famous for
its view. Miss Strickland, she added
would find them very pleasant lively peo-
pie, she hoped, would like them.
"Oh, no doubt of it," said Miss Strick-
land, with langu:d politeness. "What
are their names Mrs. Kittrell ?"
1.-The two that have been speaking OF
are from your city, too. How pleasant If
you should happen to know them They
are Mr.. Arthur Gilbert and Miss Alice
Lahnman."
There was scarcely perceptible pause.
Miss Strickland brushed something from
her shoulder.
IL beg your pardon, Mrs. Kittrell. !
know Miss Lahnman very well indeed,
and have met Mr.. Gilbert several times
also. though so casually l can scarcely
call him an acquaintance"
Then the poor girl seemed to think it
necessary to resume her old mask OF gay
ETY., though, save the two mentioned, there
was not soul within hundred miles OF
her who could have imagined anything OF
her affairs.
After tea, Miss Strickland stood mo-
ment alone in the garden. She noticed
narrow, grass grown foot path leading
down the hillside. 1t was quite lost from
view among the trees at the bottom OF the
hills, and bending an attentive ear, she
thought she heard the soft sound of run
ming water.
The shadows, the solitude, the beauty
promised, tempted her. Drawing her
shawl close around her, Miss Strickland
walked down the path unnoticed, and
seated herself upon a stone at the foot OF
a great tree. This solitude, these sweet
sounds and vague forest odors. had all the
delight of novelty.
..Ah, delicious p she murmured. "Here
it would be possible TO be almost happy p
She was quite wrapped in her own
thought, and not until they were just
crossing the brook did she notice the APP
preaching figures of Mr. Gilbert and Miss
Lahnman they were then within two or
three yards of her. Too late to retreat,
she could only hope that they would pass
without observing her.
Arthur was talking in lowered voice,
rapidly and fervently. Miss Lahnman lis
tcning with downcast eyes and attentive,
interested face. Two or three phrases
reached Miss Strickland's ear
"If have offended YOU" he said in a
voice of pleading, "still you can forgive
me; because you know-you must know
that nv heart belongs to you absolutely
as my soul to its Maker.
All me Miss Strickland had some
glazing faults, which you have perceived
ere this; but her sense of honor was real,
and not worn for show. Unable to move
away, she lifted her fingers and stopped
her ears. And never was sense of honor
more unhappily obeyed than in this in
stance. For see how it was.
During these months Miss Lahnman's
comedy had had tragic conclusion. Mr..
Stacy had left her for newer charms. The
coquette's heart was not much wounded,
but her vanity was sorely hurt, and she
was ready for anything that would help to
reinstate her good opinion of her own
destinations.
By an accident she had happened upon
poor Arthur's retreat during the summer.
Something she knew of the enlargement
which he suffered, and more she guessed.
Arthur was decidedly catch. She made
use of her beauty, her Madonna eyes, her
aureole Of hair.
Arthur, like other sensible, candid men,
was in some respects very near fool.
He believed all her expressions and chances
and tmidities perfectly natural. Every
day she looked prettier than the day be-
fore; the logical conclusion was, of course
that so much beauty indicated every moral
excellence. Then they had been much
together in happier days, and he could
utter the beloved nama IN nra who Enou