Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-03
NO. 13l.
Misfella
A LOST LETTER.
tcoNTINuEED FROM YEsTERpAY.l

"HiN"' sue icit was lcag ueS long. Slmplo
Arthur had told her the whole srory. And
lust as they reached the brook, with a
man egregious egotism he even repeat
ed the unfortunate note he had written,
and which Mabel had never received.
"lf l have offended you, still you can
forgive me; because you know-you must
know-that my heart belongs to you as
absolutely as my soul to its Maker
Here. as you know, Miss Strickland
stopped her ears
Arthur paused a minute. Miss Lahn-
man lifted her blue eyes, swimming with
tender pity.
Even that he said, "did not move
her. do not blame her-Heaven bless
her but still must think had done all
that l couldfdor'
"Ah! how could she 9'' cried Alice
Lanhman.
Her white hand rested for one minute in
her mute sympathy upon his arm Then
she blushed and looked down.
Ii is really true that some women can
blush at will. And though Miss Strickland
could not thear, she could see. She some
how did not or could not turn her ewes
away.
"Oh, pardon mer' murmured Miss
Lahnman. with confusion as natural as
her bushes. "But feel so sorry for you!
If she had loved you, how could she have
treated you so.'
That is just what say" said poor
Arthur, very disconsolately-he had new
er said it at all. by-the-way. Tor he knew
that she loved him well. II think, after
all, that she may have mistaken herself
III was possible, was it not, Alice P''
Arthur, who had long ago worn out re-
sentiment and anger. merely wished to
hear himself contradicted; pleasure he
did not enjoy. He had no weapon to
match the untaught subtlety of mademoi-
selle, the born coquette.
They did not stop above three minutes
beside the brook. When they were well
out OF ear-shot. Miss Strickland released
her hearing from prison.
At this moment she did not look like
proud woman. She sank back listlessly
against tree near which she had placed
herself, and covered her face with her
hands; few tears trickled through her
fingers. All nerveless. her attitude spoke
more eloquently than words. She knew
at last that her hope had not been dead,
but sleeping, for now it's death throes rent
her bosom.
But effort and resolution accomplish
miracles yet. The days rolled on, and au-
tumn was past; Christmas was near.
Miss Strickland had long since returned
home, and to herself; she recognized the
fact that the grace and bloom OF life were
gone for her; and also she recognized
the more important fact that lile's uses
and duties remained. The feverish gay
ETY. that had marked her conduct for a
while was gone. In its place shoae .
steader light-the cheerful light-the
cheerful acceptance of things as she found
them. She went into society as much as
ever; was perhaps more than ever ad.
mired there.-And it is certain that her
mother and herself were drawn nearer
together than ever before.
| In the performance of certain routine
duties. Miss Strickland found herself at
the church the day before Christmas-eve.
The ladies of St. James took infinite
pride in their Christmas decorations, and
half the feminine congregation was gath
cred on this occasion with slight sprink-
ling of the less ornamental but more effi-
cient sex.
Mrs. Grey, the rector's wife was there
"a little woman, chirrupy as bird, self
important as a honey. bee queen; WELL
liked. pretty. and full of suggestions more
poetical. Miss Lanhman was there. Ar
thur Gilbert, Herbert Stacy, Joe-the dire
| full spring OF woes unnumbered-and fifty
more, with whom we have nothing to do.
There !" said Mrs. Grey, turning to the
group around her, II think ut last that it
promises to be really beautiful"
All agreed with her. There was quite
chorus of satisfaction, with some looking
toward the door, for it was growing late.
'There is one thing more that must be
done. however-that certainly must be
done" said Mrs. Grey. with her usual
daintily emphatic utterance. Poor Joe's
bench must be furnished up little. The
cushion must have new material As it is,
it is simply disgraceful"
But dear Mrs. Grey. what does it mat
ter? 1t doesn't show
Thus demonstrated practical one.
"We must not make clean only the out
side of the cup and platter" returned Mrs.
Grey smilingly, but still feeling herself
the rector's wife. Mr.. Gilbert, will you
loosen the old covering for me p''
As in duty bound, Mr.. Gilbert would
turn uphosterer with much pleasure.
"Here is hammer-heavy. but guess
you can use it,"
IL strained Mis-. Grey's muscles, and
you perceive, she thought those of Hercu.
les would have been tense beneath the
weight.
Arthur, laughing, took the weiehty af-
fair, averring that he could WELD it by
the exercise Of all his strength. He went
up stairs.
"Oh, no, Miss Strickland, pray be Kind
enough to take him this one. The one he
has is mo- don't know the name nothing
to take out tacks with
Miss Strickland did not seem to hear.
II will take it, dear Mrs. Crew. said
Miss Lahnman with great obligingness.
But this little lady always preferred her
own arrangements, however trivial.
NO. she answered. II want your
sweet taste about the placing of these cal
la lilies. You will oblige me, Miss Strick.
land. will you not.
81 will take it to Mr.. Gilbert, since ysu
wish it," said Miss Strickland, not with
out annoyance.
"Ihank you. Come, Alice. my dear.
Joe, come and help me lift the vases"
Miss Strickland walked up the steps