Daily Kennebec journal., 1878-06-21
Continued from first page.)

was something dreadful in this, after all.
This strange advent among familiar things
that look on the intruder with sinister
eyes is not desirable experience. True,
was on a mission of mercy; but this
Tact failed to support me as | stood poised
on my aunt's door-sill weak minded
doubtfulness creeping in for moment
paralvzed my activity. This bauble had
been in Aunt Margerys possession for
years. Was it mine was it hers The
sacred rights of properly had heard
talked of so often: were my mothers sa-
cred, or my aunt's. All ! what would be-
come of all the property in the world if
rightfully divided? Would then Dick go
out starving and houseless from Aunt
Margery's surplus of luxury? Danger
Gus speculations, but brief swept them
all aside like cobwebs. Never should
desert Dick in his time OF need ST p
ping on tiptoe in my unshod feet es-
sayed TO convey my beating heart as far
as possible from the high old-iashioned
bed-stead. 1t almost seemed Aunt Mar
gery might hear it in her sleep. The low
night lamp sent a thin thread OF light
across the floor; it rested on the heavy
drapery festooned TO the ceiling. which
gave this couch an awful dignity in my
childish days Aud there, just opposite it
| stood transfxed There lay Aunt Mar
gerry, with eyes wide open, looking at me.
returned the gaze steadily, frozeny.
know not how long we might have re-
garded each other thus. but the parrot, in
its covered cage within, croaked uneasilv
Aunt Margery turned sleepiy on her phi
low.
You are late, Jenny" she said, quer-
ulousiy. What kept you 50, child
Hand me the camphor y)nder; my head
aches dreadfully."
| handed the camphor silently, aud of
habit proceeded to bathe her hands and
forehead as usual, and then came the usu-
al innumerable orders. A little warm
water from the bathroom, a little mixture
from the medicine chest. Her pillows
needed adjusting. her lamp needed trim
ming, and thus was chained to her side
prisoner, with that doubtful time-piece
in my pocket, and my brain dizzy with
schemes Tor escape.
Oh, what would Dick think of me, re-
creant that was in his time OF trial p
poor Dick, watching yainIy all this time al
Kate katterby's cabin, or wandering on
the road mayhaD, all the long nightiall,
meditating on the iaithlessness of woman
then in the morning, discouraged and
bopless, he would DRIFT away somewhere
out OF my reach. | hardly dared think OF
this contingency. To let 90 my hold on
Dick was TO give up my hold on lite Ut-
terly exhausted with the long watching, |
fell asleep at last, the heavy sleep OF
youth and WEAKNESS.
was aroused from this dreamless slum-
ber by sudden loud crash, rapping
and tearing at the window.
Aunt Margery started up aghast. Rob |
bers she exclaimed, clutchlng my arm. |
But there never could have been SO Dung
ling robber as this. | stood up and |
faced the intruder with wide-st .Iing eyes |
"All right !" said a loud clieery voice.
1.-The coniounded sash ~ Aud there |
stood Dick.
why, bless my heart, auntie. | beg
your pardon-Ill pommel old Caesar in |
the morning for putting me in at the
wrong window. But, Jenny, girl, Eve |
been walking the road ull couldn't stand
it any longer, thought you'd been robbed,
or waylaid, or somelhug-n
Propped up on her elbow among the pill
lows, Aunt Margery looked out malestcal-
ly and interrupted this trade
Couldn't exactly state tonight, auntie
Haven't time to analyze. | only came to
look after Jenny. Sne's all right, it seems
so J'll bid you good-night.n
''Dick," said the invalid, shaking her
long foretinger at him authoritatlvely,
you'll stay Just where You are. can't
do without Jenny, | find she cant do with
out you. 1t appears"
''Of course not, said Dick, deliberately
taking chair. Il always was AN APP
pendage OF Jenny's, you know, and shall
afraid"
Just so !" screamed the parrot, one
bright sunny morning, as | stepped down
stairs In f1oallng ven, and win nv Cir
die, Aunt Margery's wedding gilt Dick
was waiting Tor me below, with beaming
face and arms outs stretched. Beside him
stood old Caesar in his best cl Jthes and
Sunday shoes. Plenty of room now,
miss, said the old man, stepping admir-
ingly aside from my sweeping bridal
iraln.- HarperS Weekly.