Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-20
NO. 223

'She seems to know it well enough now,
at all events" John would make reioinder
in the simplicity of his heart.
And think Katie found no small COM
fort in knowing that her father was Ed
gars partizan. She was not one to make
her moan over small troubles, but, after
long days nagging from the other two
women, it was very nice to slip down
stairs as she heard his latch-key in the hall
door. and get hearty kiss and "Well.
my lass ".that was perhaps not as genteel
As 1t might have been, but somehow
brought misty brightness 10 her eyes,
glow OF comfort to her heart.
And now, after a rather aggressive fash
ION, we have come back to our starting.
point, and can understand Maud's sneers
about the semi-detached villa on the sub
urban road. Kate had bright, and often
witty answer at the tip oil ber tongue for
all such taunts. but she saw that her lover
was heavily weighted in the battle of life,
and she suffered with him, and for him, as
only woman who loves with all her
! heart can suffer.
am not prepared TO take upon myself
to say that John Draper Stewart himself
was as happy in the big red-brick mansion
IN South kensington. of which he was
now the owner, as he had been years
back, IN far smaller abode, and in less
fashionable district. Then he used to dine
at home in the middle of the day on Sat-
urday, and take the little lassies and their
mother out Tor stroll afterward; while
later in the evening, when the children
were in bed, he and the wife were wont to
indulge in bit OF supper, something hot
and savory, and perhaps prepared as a
surprise Tor the ''house father.' Fancy
any one suggesting such vulgar enormi-
ty at the house in South Kensipgton
Why. the very gargoyles on the water
spouts would have blushed! However,
John loved his second wife sincerely, and,
moreover, admired her as a marvel of ele-
gance, so he never grumbled at what
were to him new-fangled ways, but tried
his best to be fine gentleman, and if he
found the grandeur of his new surround
ings occasionally oppressive, he never
said so.
Only nothing that his elder daughter,
or yet the wife of his bosom, could say,
would induce him to hear a word against
Edgar.
"The lads good lad and he'll make
his way, and the lass is willing to wait"
That was all they could get out of j John
Stewart. -'iua1aa
When Mr.. Birley, Jr., was unfortunate
in business things naturally became worse
for Katie, and even the semi-detached
villa began to partake largely of the ma
ture OF castle in the air. llvq sai
''She shan't be baked if can help it,"
pondered the successful merchant, lying
awake one night and letting his thoughts
"hark back to the old days that were
gone, when his Mary was alive and his in
come by no means too large for even their
simple way of living.
Her mother married me when things
looked blue enough, and the lass shall
have her way, God bless her. in spite Of
But here fear that John became some
what disloyal to the ''powers that were,"
so shall not further chronicle his refiec-
tions.
Suffice it to say, he resolved to send for
Edgar, and see what could be done in the
way of putting him in responsible posi-
ton in his own house of business. He re-
solved to do this, but just then rush of
important business took up all his time,
and kept him at the warehouse late every
evening for week.
II will write to the boy tonight" said
John to himself. on the last day of that
week of hurry and hustle. And the next
N,
struck down by a sudden Seizure, and ia
ken home to the house in South kensing-
ton, there to lnger for two or three days
of Inconsistencies. and then to pass away
to the silent land, All, me! How sad it
was to see poor Kate, kneeling by the bed
on which he lay, and watching-watching
all in vain-for glance of recognition
TO see her holding his lifeless, palsied
hand against her breast, longing to feel the
poor cold fingers close on hers.
As for Amelia, her nerves could not
stand the sights and sounds of the sick
room she lay on the sofa in an adjoining
room, with handkerchief in one hand,
and bottle of salts in the other. while
Maud mnistered to her in her sufferings.
And thus John Stewart, the rich city mer-
chant, passed away. When his will was
opened, and the contents made public,
people wondered.
For by one of those strange dispositions
of property often made by men otherwise
than sane, he had left the whole of his
fortune, red-brick house and all, to "Ame-
liza, his wife, and the two girls were left
unprovided for, beyond the few hundred
pounds that had been their mothers mar
riage portion. In time, as they always
do, people got tired of wondering. And
besides, very wealthy widow is charm
ing acquisition to society. As TO the wild
ow herself, l should be afraid to say In so
many words that she experienced relief
in the disappearance OF dear John" from
this mortal sphere; but that. alter the first
few months of neediul seclusion. she felt
certain refreshing sense of lightness and
freedom, | fear is a certain fact. Mean
while, Maud shed floods of tears over ''poor
papa" looking lovely all the while, too;
which is more than ninety-nine women
out of hundred can manage to do; but
for all her grief. she took keen interest
in the form and fashion of her mourning,
and was serenely glad that black suited
her so well. nt
She shed renewed tears when the said
black was put on, aud Kate ungraciously
enough replied. What does it matter ?'
to some comment on the eft" of the gar
ments in question. That was what the
summing up of the girls life came to just
then.
What did it malterP What did anything
matter, when the hearty. loving voice
L al