Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-21

fContiDued from Ht-t Pas0't
lord Mrs. Stewart and Maud exchanged
a glance.
The evening Of the soiree came, as
evenings are apt TO whether we want them
or not, and Hates dress, all pure white,
and light as sea-loam reposed in state up
on her bed.
IL want everything to be quite ready
for me 10 put on, as shall not have much
time TO dress" she said to her mad. Ana
that damsel fully entered into the reason
why" of this caution, and acted promptly
upon her young lady's orders. Ana thus,
with all her toilet cares dismissed from
her mind, she went down to the morning.
room to wait for Edgar's coming. How
the moments Jagged how slowly the
clock licked out each minute She had
said very little about it in her customary
weekly letter to him, but the fact was,
Kate had had an anxious time OF 1t these
few days past. There had been something
in Edgar's face when she saw him last that
suggested that most uncomfortable of all
ideas-breaking down.
Now, we most of us know what it is TO
see those signs in face that we love a
look as though the strain had been too
long continued, and though the courage
still holds good, the physical powers are
running low. Then there had been no
answer TO her letter; rare thing that.
Well, the lamp-lighter had gone his
rounds, and all down the wide street the
lamps glimmered palely in the summer
cleaning. Last night Kate had watched
him at his task, and said to herself:
"When he comes this time Tomorrow.
it will mean that Gar is coming And as
the big sonorous bell OF the church hard
by had rung out eight deep notes,
she had thought: "To-morrow, when
hear it. it will say to me that he is coming
-coming-coming. But Tomorrow >
was here now, and O'Clock had gone
long ago, and yet Edgar did not come.
The tender-hearted footman, coming in to
see if she would take some coffee, knew
we'll the weary watch that she was keep
ing, and in his sympathy he found himself
listening with all his ears" as he after
ward told the cook, for Mr.. Hedgar's
knock" Alas for that poor little, wlstiul
face at the window, that knock never
camel
Meanwhile, above stairs. Mrs. Stewart
and Maud were holding solemn council OF
war, and in her hand the former held a
letter addressed in somewhat uncertain
caligraphy to Miss Kate Stewart She
held it very much as she might have been
expected to hold live serpent, had such
creature penetrated to the sacred pre-
cincts of her dressng-room.
IA boy brought it, said Maud, land |
happened TO be coming in at the time; it
is Jessie Birley's writing, and so thought
il best to keep it till you woke from your
doze. Depend upon it, it's some silly
message that will keep Katie from going
with us tonight"
MY own impression is that that young
man has heard Of dear Lord Paul's atten
tons to Kate; and there is some under
hand work going on in consequence"
IL shouldn't WONDER" said Maud spite
fully; land how provoking too, if she
won't go tonight, after your telling Lord
Paul she was sure to be there, and that
speech of his about introducing us all to
his aunt. Lady Perrepoint."
IL think this letter will keep till the
morning." said Mrs. Stewart, after a long
and reflective silence. So they put it on
the chimney-shelf, and for its greater safe
ty laid a letter-weight bigger than itself
upon the top of it. Halt an hour later
Maud put her head, all beautifully dressed,
and adorned with dew-spangled lilies, in
to the room where the sad-eyed girl still
kept fluitless vigil.
CONTINUED Tomorrow