Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-30
Gales aud Sketthss.
THE EVE OF ST. JOHN.
Continued from vestsrs.v,

| we hao oeen at home . week, when
one day, on returning from q drive, We
learned that Franks friend, Granger had
arrived. A good deal fatigued Win frav.
telling by sea and land. he was sill @ his
room, but would join us At dinner There
were to be other guests, and Alice and I
went up to dress. do not know that we
'prlmpeu" more Than usual that day; but
| remember feeling quite satisfied with
my fresh summer toilet; and Alice looked
supremely lovely in the plain green or.
CANDY, which would have been fatal 70 .
complexion less dazzlngly fair. lyon
| look like the queen OF fairies" said, and
she wondered why she should blush % 1t
the sisterly flattery.
The blush had not quite faded when We
entered the drawing room, and Frank
brought forward his friend. Mr.. Granger
was first presented to me, which gave me
an opportunity to quietly observe him
| while he paid bis compliments to my sis
ter. ! saw his eye light with flash of
admiration for her singular beauty; but
this expression was succeeded by one Of
perplexity. which did not pass away for
some time.
As studied the face of the stranger. l
was instantly reminded of Alics's dream
lover" and l no longer wondered at
Franks surprise on seeing 1t. 1t was an
astonishing resemblance. You could have
sworn 1t was the same face. Not onlv
was every feature the same, even to the
cut of the beard and the parting of the
hair. but the expression of the whole was
Identical; the same soul seemed looking
through the eyes. Whether Alice noticed
this or not. could not tell. She was
talking in gay and animated manner,
and there was soft light in her eye and
flush of pleasure on her lovely cheek
which made her even more than usually
charming.
have no occasion to prolong this story
by making mysteries; so | NAV as we'll
say that the case of Mr.. Granger and NV
sister was one OF love at first sight. Their
| two souls melted into one at their frat
meeting. and the affection which then
| sprang into life seemed to grow every
day. There were no serious obstacles TO
fret the current OF their lives; therefore
| its course ran smooth. My father, ,syonly
objections rested on the fact that Alice
was still so young and their acquaintance
so brief Against the match itself he had
nothing to urge. as the young mans fam
lily, character and fortune were all he
could ask. So the young people had 1t all
their own way: and the ever-besutiful
drama, so old. yet eternally so new, went
on once more.
1t was fine morning In June, nearly q
year from the period when this veracious
history commences. In the cheerful
breakfast-room Of my sister, Mrs. Edward
Granger, still fingered party OF three,
the young mistress of the house, her hus-
band and myself. l had arrived the pre-
vious evening. and having been separated
from Alice during the six weeks which
had elapsed since her marriage. we had,
of course. many things to talk over.
So though the morning was wearing
away. we still sat there. Mr.. Granger con-
siderably leaving US to ourselves while
he read his paper by the window. had
forgotten his presence. till a sudden ex.
clamation from him drew my attention to
his part OF the room.
had come to Alice's from grsndma's.
| where had been making visit, and had
| brought with me among my luggage the
portfolios OF sketches and drawings which
he had left behind last year. They were
| lying on the table, and Edward, having
finished his paper, and getting no atten-
lion from US, amused himself by examin-
ing them. When he turned round, be was
holding in his hand the spirited sketch of
| his own features which | so well remem-
bered.
why, Alice" he said, "where did you
get thisP"
IL made it of course"
But never sat 10 YOU"
NO; drew from memory"
fHow came 1t among these things that
Charlotte brought from your grand
mo,her's?"
II left it there last summer"
What little story-leller At that time
you had never seen me-"
| mo, nor any picture of you; yet |
mad drawn you Us YOU see."
"Will you please explain" said my
brother-in-law, throwing himself back In
whimsical perplexity.
Alice laughed. You will not believe
me ii tell you," she said, seating herself
upon his knee.
"Well. love, tell me for all that"
| Alice began the story gaily, but a. it
proceeded, her sportive tone became Sc
rious, and her large violet eyes deepened
| with an expression OF earnestness and
wonder. When she ceased, il was with
cheek somewhat flushed, and sensitive
quiver OF the lips which she could not con-
trol. Her husband had listened 1T first
with smiling Interest; but it soon gave
way to an ominoas look OF exaggerated
glavity; and when the story was finished,
ne burst into peal of uncomfortable
laughter. He laughed until the tears
came into his eyes and when we thought
he had done he suddenly started off again
and laughed Till he was tired. Alice and
joined in the mirth. but my sister not
very heartily.
L "A "a. u .s.I
soon as he could speak, lido You hope to
persuade me that you really dreamed oil
that about the green lady"
But il is true, Edward"
Edward went of again.
And you dare aver that you were
asleep. am confident you peeped.r
| "You impertinent boy! Small adyau-
tage in peeping, when you were no.
there Tt