Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-29
rT0nfinned from frst Page

formed as they sto0u LOT u motntnt III tue
doorway together, though why ANYTHING
of the kind should have struck me just at
that moment never could tell.
In spite of the gray hairs that had be-
gun 10 sprinkle her dark hair pretty thick
ly, my sister was a young looking woman
still--all the younger in seeming. perhaps,
because she knew how TO grow old so
gracefully, and always eontrived that her
dress and her age should be in accordance
though that did not hinder her from being
as anxious as she had been in her teens
that everything about her should be mice
and so the plum-coored silk she was wear
ing that evening was fauitless in its hit.
and her lace collar and cuffs were put on
with the utmost nicely. As for Kitty. she
was perfectly charming; l never saw her
look better-but then that blue velvet dress
of which we were all so fond did suit her
so well. e.......r
remember how she had done her hair
in thick plat wound around her head.
with one curl hanging to her waist; and
she had silver bracelets on her arms, with
her large sleeves left half bare, and sill
yer brooch like an arrow fastening the
crimped frill at her neck.
| felt so proud of her that | caught my
self wondering stupidity what Doctor Flem-
ing thought of her as she stood there, the
very picture of health and happiness, with
Priscilla leaning on her strong. young
arm: but he seemed TO look at the group
only from professional point OF view,
and started forward to assist Priscilla to
an armchair, after which he delivered a
little lecture over her which was, really
thought. well deserved
After that we saw good deal OF Doctor
Fleming-for Priscilla's foot was long
time before it was quite WELL and | must
say that Doctor Fleming was most atten-
tive-until gradually we begin to look for
ward to his arrival as the pleasantest incl
dent of the day.
/ think he must have liked afternoon
tea; am sure he liked sitting in the little
drawing-room, where he made practice
of spending the afternoons; and l know
we were glad to have him there, for he
seemed to bring somewhat OF the atmos-
phere of larger world than the one in
which we lived; though l should have
liked it better If he would have just taken
little more interest in Kitty, instead Of
talking so exclusively to US three women.
Why, the child knew more than all of
US and yet there she would sit behind the
tea cups, scarcely opening her pretty lips,
except to ask if he would have more tea
yet, when said something of the kind to
her, she only laughed, and said she was
glad the doctor did not turn his head her
way, for she was studying his profile and
when looked puzzled, she fetched her
sketch-book and showed me sketch of
the doctors head which she was going to
use in large painting some day, and af-
ter that did not trouble about DIR. Elem
ing's rudeness. You see every one in
Leigh had declared long ago that he dis
liked young ladies', and was not marry
ing man, SO | ought not to have been sur
prised but | did not like the idea of any
one sighting sur Kitty.
As poor papa used to say. always had
an unfortunate faculty for having little
troubles Just at the wrong times; and so
directly Priscilla began to walk about
again comfortably, and had made up her
mind to hint to Doctor Fleming that he
must discontinue his vists--for, as have
said before, my eldest sister had her own
strict notions of propriety-I managed to
have violent cold, and, what with cough
ing all night and sneezing during the best
part of the day, / succeeded in frghten-
ing every one around me into firm be-
lief that DR.. Jennings attendance was an
absolute necessity; and though am not
partial to Cruel, and have a morbid dread
of mustard-plasters, and always felt SEN I
saton as if legion of ants were running
over my face when Priscilla insists on en-
veloping my head in flannel, still that Sc
we're cold had its little advantages.
And what blessing that child Kitty
was to me, to be sure! No one else knew |
so exactly when wanted my cough mix |
ture, no one else could arrange my pillows
SO comfortably, and no one else seemed |
TO discover the quiet, simple tales for
reading aloud that were in accordance
with my idle, invalid state in fact, Kit
ty displayed quite genius for nursing
a genius that was exerted to the utmost
in my behalf.
/ caught my cold in February. and, it
being the beginning of April before was
allowed to leave the house. the time nat
urally seemed very long to woman ac-
customed to so few ailments and so much |
outdoor exercise as | was; but, oh, the |
delight of my first walk round the garden |
after my Imprisonment | seemed to |
breathe fresh life with the pure spring air |
/ inhaled, and. but for little weakness
and faint perception OF the dignity be- |
fitting my years, ! could have danced for
joy.
And Kitty was as pleased as myself.
She showed me the exact spot where the
earliest crocus had peeped above the snow
described to me how she had found the
first violets-proved to me, by the ground
strewn with pink blossoms, what pictures
the almond trees had been and finally we
went into raptures over the old pear trees,
looking like gigantic bridal bouquets with
their mass of snowy bloom; whilst /,
CHANGING into the girls fair flushed face
wondered, with wis1ul tenderness, what
fruit the glorious promise of her spring
tide would bring forth.
So the morning passed, the afternoon
was destined to be somewhat less peace
ful, and its revelations came upon me, at
least, with the suddenness of Il thunder
storm.
Twas resting in my room after luncheon,
half-dozing over my book and half listen
ing to the sound Of Kitty's voice in the
drawing below, when Priscilla, fol-
lowed by Mercy, entered the room, and |
knew by their countenances that some
thing had happened, or was about to hap