Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-14
NO. 2ls
"uP AT AIRLIH'S.,
Continued from yesterday }

What happy summer 1t was, and such
a romp as | grew. My cheeks began to
round out. and l actually colored up pink
beneath the brown. Mr.. Airlie said was
'gettin' pretty" and indeed was so hap
py felt beautiful. took long rides with
MIR. Airlie. and sometimes with the man
to mill or down to Hills tavern, where
went for letters, and where believe the
two curious women had taken me for q
man in disguise the day l arrived-my
short hair, strange polonaise making them
suspicious.
But the end came at last. A letter
came one day from Mrs. Murry.
Come home," 1t said: You have
overstaid your furlough. General Sep
tember commands that you return to join
the army OF pupils who are impatiently
| awaiting your orders!'
An indefinable pang went through me
at the thought that my summer was gone
winter was coming!
81 shall have to say good-by tomorrow
l began in faint sort of voice, at the
supper table that night
''Good-bv tomorrow !" echoed Mr..
Airle, laying down his knife and fork.
Mr.. Airlies man looked up quickly from
his plate.
Are you going so soon ? he asked.
$50 soon! Why, I've been here already
over my time and dare saw, in your se-
cret hearts, you are all weary OF nv
| countenance and caprices.'' 49, ss-
"For my part, dearie, wish you'd stay
forever and keep on the wearin', I'd like
you to live with me always" and Mrs.
| Alrlie's voice and eyes were eloquent with
the words she felt.
Thanks ior your kind words" l re-
piled, choking down some tears In nv
throat; "but cannot stay day longer.
My bread and butter is waiting to be made
| down in the city, and now that yours has
given me health and strength, must be
| willing to 60 10 work again. have been
very happy here, shall never forget you
ALL"
Here ! had to hurry from the table,
lest they should see how really unwilling
felt at being obliged to say good-by.
l walked out on the long porch and
stood in the mellow sunlight. In the west
there famed the same pink and purple, it
seemed, that had greeted me the evening
l had arrived. A slender crescent moon
had already tipped it's slice of silver in
the sky, and fresh mountain breeze was
blowing the trees gently.
Alrlie's man followed me out, and stood
beside me few moments, then he said in
a low tone:
''As it is your last evening, will you
walk a little way down the lane, with me,
Miss Starr?"
l was very much surprised as he had
never before asked me either to ride or to
walk. had always taken the initiative
in those things-indeed. l believe l or
dered the horse and wagon. felt glad
somehow, however, that he had asked me
| this time, for l wanted a little talk with
him before left, and hardly knew how
to begin it. l had little plan in my
mind Tor his advancement. Thought DR..
Council could get him position in
school, for l found, upon bet
ter acquaintance. that he was not only
trying to educate himself" but had ac-
compllshed it to marvellous degree, con-
sidering his backwoods advantages. l
wanted to propose his coming to the city
for that purpose, and therefore l said
would walk "a little way down the lane"
with him, with pleasure"
| Mrs. Airlie brought me my scarlet rid
ing CLOAK, and we slrolled slowly away.
There vs. faint dead grass perfume in
the air, and an evenings hazy vail already
thrown over the landscape. %"
| Neither OF US broke the silence for some
distance. spoke at last.
mir. Rogers, said. "you will pardon
my coniesslon. hope, but have studied
you sufficiently while have been here 10
discover that you are very much out of
your sphere. really think you ought to
be ambitious, and undertake higher pro-
tession than that of farming-as hand
Please do not be offended."I went on no.
ticing u flush and q twilch about his firm
lips; but when go back to the city |
Intend to speak to DR.. Connell about you,
and see II he cannot procure you posi-
tion in his boy s school. ] am sure you
are capable OF filling one.
l stopped, half AFRAID that had offend
ed the man, he looked so pale and agitat-
ed. He walked on while, and then an
swered me.
You think am not ambitious do You
Why, Miss Starr, you do not know to what
heights | dare aspire. You imagine l am
contented with being hard working farm
hand There is not night that do not
dream OF an office higher than that, as
bold as any politician rt
The man surely spoke boldly enough !:
why stay here, then p'' urged /.
surely, your ambition is but vision,
else you would act. not dream"
| You are right. ! will act My dream
is over. | am going to waken to the truth,
bitter or sweet. Excelsior shall be my
motto" he said. with his eyes upon the
tall mountain-top that burned red now in
the last scarlet touches Of the sunset.
"Miss Starr. | asked you to walk here
with me tonight. that | might lay before
you my plans for the future. and TO ask
your advice concerning them. am am
bilious, for crave the sweetest woman in
the world for my wife. l never believed
before that l should ever love any one
better than myself. have been an ego
tistical, selfish sort Of being. That is all
changed. find there is one believe to
be better, dearer than l am. love
her. Am too ambitious, Miss Starr |
love you? Will you marry me ?"
Was the moon drunk that she swan
around and tipped up her crescent 20 oddly?
Was the whole world q fire that Il turned
| m rat nd ar, hnf And oh ,vharo