Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-03-04
Tales aud Sketehes.
REUBEN LEIR.
RY THE AUTHOR OF patty"

CIsc IulHuttS dlleis hpSc Is ScdLtu On
the sofa beside him, her head resting on
his shoulder.
And you are not going to marry that
French fellow - says Reuben.
Rose raises her head and looks at him
in her old saucy fashion.
Marry him! | am ashamed of you,
Reuben! Why, never cared a bit for
Jacques, and he went away to France ever
so long ago, and some people say he has
wife there
When Mrs. Leir comes home in the
evening she is surprised at the change for
the better in her son.
II must go away again." she says lov:
ingly. You seem to get on best alone,
my boy
Reuben feels the blood rush to his face.
Why should he hide this happiness FROM
his mother-why should she not share his
joyP
Mother was leaning over him
he took both her hands in his-''I must
tell you what has happened. have seen
Rose, and we are friends again
Mrs. Leir drew her hands away THAT
girl. o Reuben y in Il broken voice that
was full OF unutterable pain.
'Don't say any thing against her. dear
mother; she is to be my wife" He rais-
ed himself and kissed her face, now turn
ed away from him in bitterness OF heart.
''She is so sorry. and she has always
loved me. She never cared for Jacques.
You will take her for a daughter, won't
you mother dear. -
Mrs. Leir'S mouth trembled, but the ear
nestness in her sons face conquered
81 can't stand in the way of your happi-
ness. dear" she said sadly, land il this is
your happiness, | will take Rose Morrison
bat, . my boy-my boy-don't risk
yourself "A second time-don't give your
self, in hurry, to light woman who has
cared for other men before she cared for
you, and will care for them again. Ah,
my Reuben, you are worth the first place
in girl heart, instead OF coming in at
the end"
Reuben had grown very red indeed.
"Thank you for your CONSENT he said
"but, mother please don't speak badly of
Rose. It's unjust, and cant bear it.
VII.
Reuben resented his mothers words,
and yet. as soon as he was free from the
witchery of Roses presence, his heart was
heavy with doubt-not because he had
seen her with Gaspard she had explained
that he could believe he had forced his
company on the girl. The doubt that
troubled Reuben was about himself
could he make Rose happy?
Il am such slow, quiet fellow" he
thought, land since my fall. often fret
and she is such lively darling" But
the strong love he fet-the greater now
that it had been epressed--drew him next
day to the quarry. He lifted the latch OF
the garden gate. and went into the cool,
tree e-shaded garden. The place was 80
green that the tulips and anemones seemed
to gain in brilliancy of color.
Reuben had hurried fast along the road.
| spite of his weakness; but, by the time he
reached the cottage door, he had lost
strength and courage, and his knock had
lmid sound.
| Mrs. Morrison,s lame tread was heard
on the lime-ash floor. and she opened the
door--a small, dark woman, with narrow
sharp eyes that seemed to be always pry-
ing into those OF the people to whom she
spoke. She was vely trinity dressed, and
she looked more like Roses elder sister
than her mother
"Ah," she smiled up in Reuben's face,
lis it, then Monsieur Leir! | am glad to
see you, monsieur. and am sorry for you
do not come, | know to see me. | am
glad to see you walk again-but Rose is
not at home
"Where is she ?' Reuben said abruptly.
"Ah, mon Dieu !'-she held up her
hands with gesture of depreciation
'what can | tell you, monsieur? Rose
goes here and she goes there, and do not
ask her where she goes. and do not ask
her where she goes. Believe me, it is
great mistake to interfere with young peo-
Pile and, when you marry Rose, you must
treat her as do. am very glad to see
you friends again"
There was such a cunning look in her
eyes that Reuben started.
Il will wait, if you please, Mrs. Morri-
SON." he said IL want to see Rose"
"Certainly! Come in, Monsieur Leir."
Mrs. Morrison pointed to a chair, and
Reuben seated himself, and looked round
the square, low-roofed room. How much
prettier and more trim it was than his own
home-what tasteful muslin curtains
those were in the windows, and how
charming the little nosegays looked placed
so exactly where the room was dark and
bare.
Mrs Morrison watched him as he sat
there, and this made him iidgety. Rose
dresses up the room Monsieur Reuben
she likes pretty, tasteful ways. That is
why am glad she is to marry you-you
are able to give her a good home, and
money to spend on clothes; and Rose
likes pretty dresses, Monsieur Reuben.
Il suppose most girls do" he said; but
the woman's prying eyes and coaxing
manner fidgeted him. He wished he had
walked on to meet Rose, instead of wait
Ing. He sat silent, and presently Mrs.
Morrison began on new ground
"Do you not find Hookton very sad,
Monsieur Leir ?" she said. ..Ah, mon
Dieu !"-she clasped her hands, and
threw up her eyes-''there is not man
in Hookton fit to look at, unless, inaeed,
when Monsieur Gaspard arrives--ah!
that is different
Reubea started. He was not accustomed
to this sort of talk from his mother, and
he shrank from the mention OF the French.
man.
''He is not here often, think" he said