Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-09
fcoutipuea rom frs, page.)


interest she appeared to take in the COM
Eencement OF my story.
ooh, knew that she replied "but
never heard you say nything about Venice"
again reclining and closing her eyes, as much
as 70 say. s.Go on. am at loss to con-
ceive what made me so foolish as to disturb
myself for so slight thing as the mention OF
a foreign and defunct city"
swell, when 1 was in Venice believe it
was the second month of my stay there
Charles came in one day" Charles is my hus:
handy "from long tramp about the Palazzo
Loredon, the CAD Oro-you know what |
mean-the one built in the sixteenth century
in the oriental style, and restored by Mile.
Taglioni, the celebrated dancer -
"Oh, yes, said Mag, impatlently. know
all about it. Haven't been there wasn't
born there ? haven't l always lived there ?
didn't the Doge of Venice christen me didn' t
draw my first breath on the Bridge of Signs
and wasn't one of Mile Tagioni.s pupils ?
Go ahead and tell me what Charles said when
he came back from his tramp about the Cad
Orc. But never mind the architecture. I'm
not building at present"
| had seen Margaret in many strange
moods. but never felt her to be so utterly in
corrigible as upon this occasion However,
resumed without appearing to remark it.
"Charles came in and said hastily, Nell,
tell Pedro to get up nice lunch just as quick
as nc can have brought an invalid home
with me, and if | can shall persuade him to
remain while with us. | have taken a
strange fancy to the fellow, and should like
to have him where we could take care OF
him. lie will certainly die if somebody don't
take an interest in him. So | hurried
around. and after little time Pedro and L"
"Oh. never mind about the lunch ~ inter-
rupted Mag again, without opening her eyes.
and with little tremelo in her voice which
could not understand. "Proceed with the
man Animals always interest me more
than food.'
"You would not call Austin Benedict an
animal if you could see him once" | replied,
little Indignantly. and was about to add
that didn't wish Charles mixed up with that
species either, when over went the lapdog on
to the lounge. and Mag said, irritably =
81 believe that animal thinks have moth
ing to do but to make my lap into bed for his
convenience. Go on, Bell. Austin Bene-
Dict! Austin Benedict is a good name. I'll
bet my new solitaire against three cents that
his Character was as stony as his cognomen.
A man called Austin Benedict would do what
he considered to be right if by SO doing it
killed him and everybody he was acquainted
with. wish you would ring for some wine,
Nell. lam cold as death. Don't get up
though-and please go on"
Eyes" resumed, "you are quite right
about Mr.. Benedct's character believe
there is something in names. But for all
that the fellow was dying for love-"
"a very interesting case" said Mag, turn
ing deathly pale. ado you know the cir
cumstances Pr and then, with the slightest
perceptible sneer, added, "A man must be
very strong to admit such thing about him
self"
'0h," answered, sit was long time be-
fore we got at the facts in the case but sne day
when thought he couldn't last many hours
he told me the whole story
---.ssYhen you sat by him and thought he
couldn't last many hours he told you the
whole story :" repeated Mag in strange
sort of way. "Did be die p
sNo he rallied again." l answered,
almost out of breath at Mays strange behav-
Tor. "lt seems that he loved with his whole
heart and soul a very beautiful and much
sought after young lady. She pretended to
love him. Her parents were opposed to the
match she proposed to defy her parents.
The next news he receives comes in the form
Of letter from her, telling him that she finds
she does not care for him as she supposed,
and asking to be freed from her engagement.
''He did recivo such a letter, did he +?
Austin Benedict did receive such letter ?'
and Mag arose from her recumbent position,
and stood before me, pale as a corpse. but
but with the light Of forty avengng angels
in her eyes. ~ never wrote the letter ~
she exclaimed. ait is forgery from begin
ming to end Nell Harris, you took care of
Austin Benedict in his last hours p'
And now the proud head of Magaret Hast
ings was buried up IN my lap.
81 took care of him when he was i'll, |
replied.