Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-14
No. 27O.i
Gales aud Sketfhes.
PEARLS TRIBULATIONS.


as far as was in her power, that which was
right. She was the only daughter of Q
retired general officer. and resided near q
fashionable town. where he could join in
the heat of society, in which he delight
ed H'n n'iW I'7t g
His daughter was the apple Of his eye,
and he never called her by any other name
than Pearl, by which appelation she came, !.
to be known by all his friends.
She had the cOmpanionshipo of govern.
ess, Mrs Harcourt, which was the more
necessary as General Ravenscroft was Of
ten absent in London on business. The
fact was, like many other military men, he
was connected with great many public
companies, which occupied much Of his
time.
His absences had lately been rather
more frequent than usual, and his brow .
little darker, and his manner more rest
less than his wont. He was clearly not so
much at ease as of old. and grew q tribe
more irritable, but never to Pearl 9HtH9
At length be returned one day in COM !
pany with friend, an officer, who, hay-
ing been on short furlough from Canada,
was about returning TO undertake an inn
portant mission to one of the native tribes, Q
a mission which required courage and
tact, which young Captain Leslie Mon
tague was supposed to possess in an emf,
nent degree.
He was about thirty years of age, not
too tall, with a very aristocratic, soldierly 2
appearance. lit up by eyes of q rare pow
er, and with mouth which indicated
great strength of will. He was not par
ticularly handsome, but his every feature
and expression indicated intellect and hon.
or. - eF4 4ffrsf
He was a soldier and diplomatist from
choice, being heir to considerable estates. !,
He was, moreover, a distant relative Of
the generals. '19ai ss9ra
Pearl saw at once that they would soon
be good friends, and did everything in J.
her power to make his stay of two months
agreeable.
The residence of the general was called
Rose Court, and was very fine bungalow
cottage of two stories high, surrounded
by lawns, gardens and shrubbery.
Pearl, though devoting much time 10
music, painting and her general studies,
found leisure for her pets--which were
many, even to beautiful pond full of
goldfish.
Pearl seemed in this little Eden the
perfect specimen of bright and happy
woman. .A lagsi p0NsY sat
Captain Montague had not been there /,
long before he began to feel very much
like as if he would gladly have stayed
there altogether tanp iaai lao1i
He was man of fixed and stable
mind. Heretofore he bad never indulRed
in even a Irritation. He had always
liked female society, as most men do, and
had done his duty in society and made
himself very agreeable, that was all. 3lHsb
But Helen Ravenscroft took him by
storm, and Tor the first time in his life he
discovered that he had a warm, tender,
and passionate heart. No one would
have suspected it even now, for though.
he was attentive to Helen, walked with
her, attended her in her peregrinations
in the garden, sat by her side in the mu-
sic room, and paid her all the little at
teniions which Il gallant man always ac-
cords to beauty, he never in. any, way, al
lowed his deeper feelings to penetrate the
surface. "'-
He reasoned thus She was Young,
susceptible, and generous hearted He,
might win her, but then was it. right to.
do so. he that must be quite two years
absent. During that period OF absence,
having only known him so short tiFne,
nature so well that she. would consider,
herself bound by her word. In 49,,
No, after all. he would not speak, but
carry his secret away with him to the
frostclad hills of Canada. fasv 5.r. sfSh
But it was not to be. .f-ll, .,.,.,,r.x
One day, after dinner-the captain had
been a month in the house-his friend
addressed him. '.at8 b" ''le4
"And after an experience Of twenty.
eight days what think YOU of my Pearl Pr
he asked, in very earnest, almost trem-
ulous voice.
Leslie started. and despite his efforts,
he flushed to the very eyes. 'afi .t~t
"Well, general, be stammered. there
can be but one opinion about Miss Ra-
venscroft. She is the most charmingly
perfect girl | ever knew, SO simple and
unaffected at that" Jsih1d
"You think so highly of herP"a repeat
ed the general. 4Arf
Il do, with all my heart" said Leslie,
warmly. w sa'
"She would make a good wife," mused
the general. ae h,issy
II presume she has," he ventured, with
great gulp at his throat, "iound the for
tunate man :" 4'H
mo, my dear Montague" cried the
general in deeply agitated tone. II
was hoping you-" ..l...i tfi,. ..
General" responded Leslie, seeing
that the other stopped, ~ have no hesi-
tation in saying that l feel for your
daughter all those sentiments which a
man should experience for the woman
he loves and respects. and wishes to
make his wife, but" t'|"
"But what P" said the general, eagerly.
Il am about to be absent two, years.
Supposing that Helen was good, enough
to look with favor on my suit, would Il be
fair to bind her after so short an acquaint-
ance to so long an engagementr'.h he
urged. 4 hUi ssloG
"Leslie." continued the general. II
must speak the truth to you. ! am not
so well off as people think-my losses in
companies have been heavy-but for this
would not care if knew that In the
future had secured for my child . pro-
tector, and husband. may not live
long"
Captain Leslie Montague at once made
up his mind. 'eaas 1Sss
lContInued on fourth pags.i