Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-04
EContinued from f,rst pare.l


from the pantry and tying on her bonnet she
started on her errand to the dairy. Itw
bleak November day, and the wind was
sharp and chill. The leaves that had late
~ worn such gorgeous hues, lay sere and
withered on the ground. The sky was
overcast with sombre clouds, and nature
seemed in her gloomiest mood. When
Nellie reached the angle in the road where
she had so often parted from Mr.. Morland.
she could continue no further; so sitting
down on stone by the roadside, she
wept as though her heart would break.
All at once hand was laid upon her
shoulder; the touch sent thrill through
her frame, and looking up, her eyes met
those of Mr.. Morland. and they were also
filed with tears.
"Nollie, | am the worst man that ever
lived | did not trilie with your affec-
lions Intentionally; did not fully realize
that / was doing so. Little Nell, forgive
and forget me; believe that 1 am unwor-
thy Of your pure love for acting as have
done. and wipe me from your memory"
She dried her eyes, and standing up,
Strengthened her form proudly, and re-
garded him with glance akin 10 con-
tempt.
You told me once" she said. that va
rety is the spice OF lite so, needless of the
beautiful flowers in your own garden, You
coveted those of mine; in some manner
for the sake of change and variety, you
turned from the fine ladies of your ac-
quaintance to lavish your attentions on a
simple country girl Beware how you
follow the hearlless dictates OF caprice
else you may one day be compelled to
support the burden Of Il troubled con-
science, and suffer the severe torture. of
self reproach.
As she pronounced these words, the eX
preston on her countenance was almost
severe. Her companion had never before
discovered that her innocent childish lace
could express such powerful emotions.
She had hitherto seemed g,rii.h to him.
hut now he realized thu she was a wu-
man.
.Mr. Morland. farewell
Taking up her pail, she was about to
proceed on her journey, when he seized
her hand, and detained her.
"Oh, Nell, Nell, your words are severe.
and they wounded me deeply; but don't
leave me thus. This may be our last
meeting. and think how wreiched should
be to know that you despise me Oh, dar-
ling! you do me injustice in accusing me
OF lrfilng with you, for You are the only
woman ever loved. But stern prom
Use binds me TO another; | see that you
scorn me the more Tor this confession, for
you think | am false to two women; but
| am not, for neither my betrothed nor my
self profess TO love each other. Ii Is a
marriage of convenience. that was ar
ranged when we were children. Perhaps
you wonder why never told you before !?
A hundred times it has been on the point
of my tongue, but | withheld the fact, for
| was so happy with you, and felt that
as soon as you knew the truth you would
turn from me. Nellie, when you know
that love you with my whole heart, you
will surely be lenient in your Judgment.
Ii have made you unhappy, | have
brought down lasting misery upon my
self"
His voice was so full Of sorrow and ago.
ny that she could not doubt his sincerity.
She sat down on the stone again, and bur
led her face in hands.
BLESS you. dearest !"
Smoothing the waving locks back from
her brow he imprinted II kiss there; then,
with one last, wisful look, he hurried
away. and soon disappeared in the dim No
vember twilight.
Three years passed away, and Robert
Morland's experience in the world was
full oil bitterness and disappointment. He
had become a widower and nearly bank
rupt within that short period. Life had
lost its former charm. and the world was
not as bright as it had been. He had
grown weary OF the giddy whiri of the
metropolis, and lOnged for the scenes of
his boyhood and a glimpse of the old farm
house. His soul thirsted for word OF
welcome from her whom he still loved
better than all others. The soft blue eyes,
the tender smile, the cheering voice of lit
tie Nell had haunted him since they part
ed. He often saw her in imagination as
he had seen her long ago on that bleak
November day, sitting on stone at the
roadside, weeping, and he smiled when he
remembered that he was now free to love
and comfort, and to share with her life
that without hei was Il burden.
On his journey towards her home, he
was troubled by painful doubts.
perhaps she has forgotten me-" he
thought, land is welded TO farmers son !:
or, maybe, some traveller has discov-
ed this rare flower In the wilderness, and
has transplanted her to another soil.
But as he approached nearer to his des-
iination, these doubts gave place to hopes
and longings. Bright pictures arose in his
mind of a future nome, graced by the
presence of little Nell.
At last after travelling for several days,
he arrived at the heights but without en-
tering his own home, he fastened to the
farm house. He took the lower road. and
when he came 10 its angle, and saw the
stone where Nellie had sat when last he
saw her, he could with difficulty control
his feelings. He sat down and waited, as
though he expected to see her coming
down The lane as OF old, her sweet face
shaded by her sunbonnet, and carrying a
tin pail in her hand but he waited in vain,
and with heavy heart he arose, and con-
tnued on his way until be came to the
farmhouse
But what a change was here The gar
den, that once was filed with flowers.
carefully cultivated and tastefuliy ar
ranged. was now overgrown with weeds
and shrubs, and the fence encircling 1t
was sadly neglected. The house itself