Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-09-29
NO. 23l.
Gales aud Sketehes.
THE BLISB SPINNER.
CONTINUED FROM YEsTRRpAY.l

| CONTINUED FROM YEsTRRDAY.l
As Phil said this, Besse's hand dropped
a little but she said demureiy, as 1t was
wont to speak, that they would be ''glad
to see Mrs. Lushington.''
I'm very glad you came-very glad in
deed" said Alice, Ginning in again. I'VE
knew about you before-Katie and l,
mean-and about you bringing Bess home
under your umbrella when it rained, and
we were out; but we thought-at least l
| thought-from the way Bess then spoke,
that you were quite an old, old man-a
man with long. white hair. and who
stopped very much. you know, and carried
a big portfolio"
Pm sorry I've disappointed your expec-
tation," said their visitor, with just one sly
loving glance at Bessie. now rosy red and
then he quickly changed the subject, for
he could not bear TO see the sweet sereni-
ty of that fair face disturbed.
Were you reading aloud when came
in p he said, turning again to chatter-box
Alice
"Oh, no we were listening to Katie's
yarns. You must know she tells Us two
stories, better than in any books and We
get so interested and then she breaks OF
at the incest bit. when we are dying to
know what comes nextw
He looked more earnestly than he had
yet done at the quiet pale girl at Bessie's
side; he noted the little. thin, nervous
hands, the fragile figure, the tremulous,
sensitive mouth and oh, saddest of all,
the great blue, sightless eyes.
| IL should like to hear some of those
stories," said Phil.
well. so you shall, some day, when
you come to see us again Shan't he,
Katie dearP" But Katie would not prom
ise.
Soon after this Phil took his leave, and
Alice stood at the window to watch him
down the street.
80. that's the drawing master at Beech
House Academy that's the old. old man
who brought you home that rainy day Oh,
Bessie I" she cried. and then she threw
herself upon Mrs. Busby's slippery horse
hair sofa, and it would have done your
heart good to hear her ringing laughter.
But Katie put her arms around her sis
ter's neck and kissed her tenderly.
"Bess." she said, "what nice voice he
has. houe he'll come again."
Did Bessie hope SO too, | wonderp Be
this as it may, Katie was not disappointed.
He did come again-not one, but many
| t'hoo ihucCu hc Sot into bOTt VI naDlt
OF looking in upon the sisters, "between
the lights !" and thus it came about that at
last he heard some Of those wonderful
yarns" the blind girl was wont to spin,
for the gentle narrator got accustomed to
his presence, and forgot all shyness in the
new delight of fresh and appreciative
addition to her audience; and Phil liked
the yarns" and at last suggested to Bes-
sic (on the occasion Of another showery
evening rendering his escort necessity
that one of these stories should be written
out, and sent to the editor of q certain
magazine.
''Do you really think they would take
it," cried Alice, radiant, when the idea
was mooted to her.
"Yes, do" replied Phil. "Your sis
ter's ideas are fresh and beautiful, and
merit does make its way with editors,
without interest. though some people will
tell you it doesn't"
How Katie's face lightened up when they
told her about this wonderful plan! She
slipped her hand into Bessie's, with the
brightest, sweetest tremble on her lips.
''lf ! can only help-if can only be Of
some real use. it will make me happier
than ever was in my life."
You will be a real spinner now. Ka.
tie," said Alice, taking success for granted
with her usual buoyancy.
YES" said Katie; "a little blind spin.
ner."
At this they all looked very grave. but
Katie could not see them, so the happy
smile still rested on her lips.
The dictation and writing out Of that
story was time full of happy excitement
to our three sisters, and Phil Lushington
and his mother were scarcely less inter-
esed. For Mrs Lushington had called
at Paradise place soon after Phirs first un-
ceremonious visit, and her pleasant. kind
ly face now seemed like that of an old
friend to them all.
At last the precious packet was posted
| by Bessie's own careful hands, and then
there was nothing for il but-to wait.
Waiting is hard work enough to all of
us. but our waiting comes to an end some
day. here or hereafter; and at last. one
evening, at the time of the last post. as
the three sisters sat round the fire, came
the sound of the postman hurrying up the
tour steps that led to Mrs. Busby's door.
and then
.Il's the story come back It's some
thing big and fat 1t can hardly get into
the box 1t has squeezed itself through
and fallen to the floor - cried Alice, too
wildly excited to be able to run cut into
the passage and see what the "big fat
thing was like. Even placid Bess colored
up and breathed quickly. a. she gave an
anxious look at Katie. pale and with lips
apart, her hand grasping the back OF the
sofa.
Then Bess and Alice made q rush for
the hall door. but Alice was quickest, and
raising the packet from the floor. with
trembling fingers tore off the covering.
and six long strips of paper closely print
ed, fell fluttering on the oilcloth With q
little cry of rapture Alice gathered them
up heller skelter, and clasping them TO
her bosom. fed back into the parlor.
ut isn't returned Oh, Katie, love. it's
all printed, every word !! Oh, my darling,
if you only could see it! ~
But Katie had thrown her arms around
Bessie's neck, and her face was hidden on
that loving, tender breast.
How Alice read aloud the precious slips
how Katie, dear, sweet spinner of those
C To-