Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-27
LContinued from flrst page


mountains afar, with soft cloud-shadows
drifting over their wooded sides.
On this state of repose a footstep broke
before long, and around the corner of the
house Ferguson came. bearing cushion
of green velvet, as it seemed-but wheh
he drew near the green velvet resolved IT.
self into the softest and richest moss
Hester raised herself with cry oil de
Eoh, .~.s.~~ ssR
"Oh. how lovelyr' she said. And
how good of you Have you brought all
that in from the hills ?'
He laid il on the floor at her feet. and
answered: .Yes, found it during the
hunt this morning in a glen five or six
miles away, | thought at once that 1t
would make beautiful foundation for the
cross of moss and ferns which you have
been making"
ut will be charming" she said. Then
her languor vanished. She brought the
cross, and went TO work to finish it. at
will be such a pleasant memento OF my
life in the woods." she said, as she put a
fern here and bit of moss there.
Then it occurred to Ferguson that he
had very little idea what manner of life
was hers when out of the woods, and he
was on the point of making a remark
which might lead to some revelation on
the subject, when through the open win
dow of a room behind them came the
sound of name pronounced by rather
high-pitched feminine voice.
miss Mildmay !"-lIester and Fergu
son both started slightly-"what could
have induced your brother to imagine that
she was hereP 1t is the last place likely
to attract such a very dissipated young
lady"
II don't know replied another voice
'but this is what he says'-a paper rus
tied" so understand that you have the
famous beauty and belle, Miss Mildmav,
among you. What do you think OF her ?"
"Society wherever she goes is divided
into two classes-those who rave about
her, and those who deny that she has any
beauty at all. IL is rumored that she has
retired to the wilderness in order to re-
fleet on her numerous suitors. and decide
which she will accept. One or two of the
most desperate, however, talk of follow
Ing her."
at would be funny if they came and
didn't find her y said third voice-evi-
IDENTIFY very young one-with a gggle.
perhaps you think there might be
chance for you in that case. Matte, said
the first speaker.
'But what could have put such an idea
into Toms head, said the reader. $50
odd of himl Perhaps Miss Mldmay is
coming"
LET US hope not" said the other, de
vOutly. "a more unpleasant event could
not possibly occur"
lis she so very disagreeable, thenP"
Zone of the most disagreeable people ~
COMPATIBILITY. IL don't know her my
self, but | know what her character is.
She has been so spoiled by admiration.
and has such an exalted opinion of her
own Importance, that she is simply intol-
erabe-especially to her own sex"
81 do hope she wont Gomez said the
youngest speaker.
lyon may be sure there is no danger OF
it." returned the other. mo woman like
Miss Midway would dream of coming
here. What is there TO attract herP 1t is
absurd to suppose that she would care
anything for Nature"
"Of course not" assented the other
voices.
"And she couldn't dress, she couldn't
dance, she couldn't fiirt-uness she
brought her material for that amusement
along with her-so what could induce her
to come Pr
There's Mr.. Ferguson-she nigh: nrt
with him." suggested speaker number
three.
20 Matte. hush!' said the others, in
Mortified whispers. Then there was Il
chorus of giggles. rustic OF dresses, and
the trio lett the neighborhood of the win
dow.
"How edited Miss Mildmay would have
been IL she had CHANGED to overhear that
conversation! observed Hester, with
slight smile, after they had departed.
There was an increase of color and an
odd look on Ferguson's face as he ans
wered, isn't it rather a pity that she
could not have done So P"
The young lady did not answer for an
instant. she arranged fern to her salts
faction, looked at it with her head to one
side and then said, "Why ?"
The gentleman answered without hest
tation: because think if women of that
stamp could know how they are really
regarded-what altogether unlovely char
acters they possess-they might perhaps
think less OF personal appearance and
more of moral qualities less of winning
admiration and more of securing respect"
but don't you think, - she suggested,
THAT it is a little unjust to condemn Miss
Midway on testimony of a woman who
confessed that she did not know her?"
at would be unjust if did not know
that every word the woman uttered is
true"
Hester looked mp from her NOSES
How can you know ii ?" she asked quiet
1y.
II know the class of which she is an
acknowledged type, and although | have
never seen her, have heard SO much of
her that may say know her. 1t would
certainly be strange if by any chance she
came to this place, for it may surprise
you TO hear that it is on account of Miss
Mildmay that | am here.
Eyes, il surprises me, after what you
have just said,' answered Hester.
He laughed little. and sitting there in
the cool shade. watching her pretty white
hands at work, and the play Of light and
shadow over her graceful head, he felt
inclined 10 become confidential
MAY tell you about il p' he asked.
II am not one of her victims, | assure
you"