Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-03
NO. 1s2
Misfsllaueons.
WHAT HE LOST By IT.
BY SARAH DoUDNET.
CHAPTER /.

tDAfJtk i.
The evening was warm and still, and
all the doors and windows in George
street were set open, and everybody who
could escape from indoor occupation
was out for stroll The people living
here were decent hard working men and
women, earning enough TO Keep their
families in comfort, and taking an honest
pride in themselves and their dwellings.
Most of the windows could boast of clean
muslin curtains, and the doorsteps were
as white as securing could make them.
There was one house, however, whose
doorstep could ill bear comparison with
its neighbors; and as to its curtains, they
were drab and dingy, and had been up
all the winter.
Miss Kenaway don't regard appear
ances; that's certain, said one matron
to another, as they took their evening
| walk together. ''if were her should
be sick of the sight of those drab curtains.
And she with smart young beau coming
often TO the house !" f
Poor thing" sighed the other woman,
a good-natured soul, always ready to find
excuses for those the world was hard
upon-"Poor thing she can't have min
ute to call her own. What with her dress
making and her mothers long illness, she
must be pretty nearly at her wits end.
"Well, if young Parr don't mind the
curtains, and that disgraceful doorstep of
hers, I'm sure don't" responded the first
speaker sharply. "And here he comes.
looking as natty as you please, and walk
ing as If the very ground was not good
enough for his feetr'
William Parr the promised husband OF
| Fanny kennaway, was one of those men
| who are said to be far above their STA
tion, and are sometimes so very much
above it that there is no keeping then, in
| it. William, however, was industrious
| enough to find favor with the merchant
who employed him. Out of the counting
| house. he held his head high, and looked
down on his iellow-clerks, who never
ceased to wonder why such lofty fellow
| should have courted humble little dress
maker in George street. But very few
men of taste would have been surprised
at PARIS choice If they had seen Fanny
] Kennaway in her seat by the window that
evening. as.n,4
| After long days work, she was rest
| ing her eyes and her hands for few
minutes. and watching for Williams COM
ing. Hers was delicate, clearly-cut face,
/
ness-a face that seemed to have little in
common with the needles and gay stuffs
about her. And yet in a general way,
Fanny worked cheerfully enough at her
trade. 1t was only when nursing as
well as dressmaking fell to her lot, and
heavy doctors bill was added to ordinary
expenses, that her little body felt itself
weary OF this great world. But there was
no WEAKNESS in the smile that greeted
| William, as he entered the humble room.
Like wise woman that she was Fanny
always met her lover with 4 bright look
and CHEEKY voice.
| Come Fanny he said, "won't you go
| for walk this evening Your mother is
better, so that you can surely be spared. {"
| "Oh, yes; mother can spare me; Mrs.
Marks is sitting with her. But there is a
dress that must be finished tonight, Will
liam"
Il wonder why we can never enjoy
ourselves as other people do" muttered
Parr GROSSLY. "You are making q regular
slave of yourself, Fanny"
"Well. then I'll CO." she aswered after
a little pause, land | won't be five min
utes getting ready"
She ran off, and soon returned, looking
SO neat in her walking garb that only an
| ill-humored man could have found a fault
in her. But as they walked away togeth-
er down the street, there was cloud on
Williams face; and presently he spoke
out his grievance.
| "Why don't you get stylish hat, Fam
ny, instead OF wearing that everlasting
bonnet? L can't think how it is your
things last so long; one never sees you in
anything fresh and new. For my sake
you ought to be little smarter in your
dress"
Fanny did not tell him that every six
pence she earned was spent on the COM
mon necessaries OF life, and that all her
savings had gone to pay the doctors bill;
but she looked up lovingly into the hand.
some, gloomy face, William was her
first love; she could not wish him changed
even when his magnificent notions caused
her some Inconvenience. The ornament
OF meek and quiet spirit is not always
| duly valued, and many people might have
| blamed Fanny for her tameness. But she
was one OF those women who would rath-
er hear harsh words than speak them.
Instead of chiding, she patiently set
herself at work to bring her companion
to better frame of mind, and she sue
ceeded so we'll that William almost forgot
the old bonnet And yet when he had left
her at her own door. and was going back
to his lodging, he began to think OF 1t
again. 1t was quite humiliating, he said
to himself. for a man in his position to
have been seen in the company OF such
bonnet as that.
"How are you, Parr ?' cried loud
voice. "Splendid evening, isn't itp Come
home and have supper. will you?' The
speaker was dashing young fellow, son
of an auctioneer who was reputed to oe
making fortune. 1t was the first invita-
ton that William had ever had from Tom
Derry.
| Thanks" he answered promptly, IL
shall be very happy to come" And then
the two set off together, and William was
by no means ill pleased to walk with a
well-dressed acquaintance. who nodded
Familiarity to one or two men in spher.
above him.