Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-17
Gales aud Sketfhes.
For the Journal.
MY ROMANCE AND now 1T ENDED.
~ CONSTANCE STERLING.


ut is the last. last time" Mark said
brokenly, abiding to our being together.
why are parents so cruel? p | asked.
Heaven only knows. " responded Mark
In a gloomy tone. 1.-The trouble is they
have forgotten all about their own young
days. and their hearts are all drsd up"
But it was qnite kind in father to let
US have this last meeting" ventured to
say. for felt little as if we were doing
the poor old gentleman injustice in thus
wholly condemning him.
"But he gave us to understand that it
was the last" grumbed my handsome
lover 80 Ada, if you had spark of
that spirit in you which animated the
maids of old, you would fly with me,
and in the obscurity of that little farm in
Cutler county we should live a life of
peace and love. You would twine vines
over the piazza, and plant flowers in the
front yard, and keep the house like a new
pin"
| sighed heavily as Mark concluded.
looked longingly at his handsome, gloomy
face, admired secretly his dark dreamy
eyes and long lashes and delicate nous
tache. o must | give him up? Father
was too cruel for anything Such were
my reflections.
II should love to do everything to make
your life happy, Mark" said, slowly
"but perhaps in time this wound will heal
and you will choose a fairer one for your
bride, and she will Irvine the vines and
plant the flowers round your humble
home"
Never, never!' exclaimed Mark. Il
can never forget you, my own precious
Ada. Years will not change me- Time
never obliterate your sweet face from my
memory No other woman shall ever
take the place made sacred to YOU"
"And | will be as true to you, Mark
And o, when father hears of your steadi-
ness and prosperity, he may relent."
'He must relent." cried Mark. "Bat
my dearest. promise me one thing. If
this home should ever become distasteful
to you, il your pure spirit should ever
weary of this ceaseless round of petty du-
ties, promise me that you will fly to nv
humble cot. Come to me. dear Ada, and
we will be married in spite of your father
and everything else. o do hope you
may come to my door some day-like a
wsaried bird seeking for shelter Nv
arms and heart should be open to YOU,
darling
Il promise you, Mark" / answered.
Times up" said fathers gruff voice.
and he entered the parlor like Nemesis,
thought.
20 father, is it five O'Clock ?' asked.
despair-I fslt sure of it-yisble on my
countenance.
Yes, one minute past" replied he,
gruifiy as before. Surely two hours is (
enough for you two simpletons to get
through all the spooning necessary to the /
solemn occasion
But. father, tits our last. last meeting, "
| pleaded.
81 sincerely hope it is" returned my
father.
Il was about TO say something more but
Mark motioned me to be quiet.
''Good-bye, then, Ada" he said 10 low.
sad tone. de real y felt the parting, poor
fellow, for although we might have been
foosish lovers we were very fond ones.
burst into tears, and hung around his
neck. wished might faint and so move
my stern parents heart to pity, but didn't
feel at All faint, although | tried to think |
did. Girls always tainted in novels and
their fathers repented and placed tac j.
white hand in the manly one of the lover.
and then she was married in white silk
gros grain. Illusion pulled all over the
front. aud orange blossom SPRAYS down
the middle oil each puff, and long veil
observation-disclosures voice interrupted tho
train OF thought in which had been in
dulging while hanging on his neck wetting
his coat with my "Ditter, unavailing tears .
II must 60, Ada, do not forget me. dear
love, and remember your promise and
he took my arms from about his neck. and
lett the room with only naughty bow to
father.
Now, Ada" said nv progenitor as he
turned away from the window to which he
mad devoted his attention during the fore
gong affecting tableau, "lets have no
more iol-de-rol about that French chap
You've given up like good girl, and now
III give you twenty dollars and YOU shall
60 and buy new party dress aud 90 TO
The ball with Captain Ashley
Parties! money Captains while my
neart was breaking Never! nv heart re-
belled and scorned the rather tempting
oner, but did not allow the scorn to be
visible on my face. Historically sobbed
out something about my "il-starred en-
gagement," my hopeless, bnt unalterable
love' and rushed from the parlor. In
inc secluslon OF my own room. | bathed
my lnflamed eyes and then threw myself
ON the ped, and in ten minutes my agony
ana my love were alike forgouen-ior /
fell sound asleep.
When the supper bell at seven o'clock
reused me from my slumber | arranged
my hair and dress, and went down 10 The
dining room. My father and mother were
already at the table, and my brother Jack
came IN moment after was seated.
Nv hat makes you look like Mariana in
Inc 'Moated Grange Ada PSI my brother
asked, as he helped himself TO some cream
toast. surely you can't say he comelb
not about Ashley, for he cometh every
hisn' ana that hateful Jack laughed at his
horrid joke.
.Ada'll be all right In day or two. -
said father in cheerful tone of conviction
which lacerated my breaking heart anew
'She feels little down about Marx
Leroux, Just now"
We'll, hope the prig has got the nit
Ten, said Jack, while burned inwardly
at their discussing my affairs so openly At
the supper table. ''Not but that he does
well enough in his line; but he is awfully
last and you ought to know it by this
time, Ada"
Its to be hoped the farm his uncle has