Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-26
(Continued from first page.l

corn laid upon 1t; then the mans strong
err fingers knotted the ends round it, and
set the sheaf upright. The driver and
his fellows hurried on the horses and tried
to keep the workers busy. Seated on
the hillside, where the lingering gorse
flowers and wild thyme attracted count
less bees, watched the scene, trying to
distinguish the faces | knew.
Alter little while / recognized Jean,
her active and upright figure one of the
busiest there. As usual, she was bare
headed, and her hair CLEANED like red
gold in the sunlight. As usual, too, her
manner had the quiet reserve that she
never laid aside; and a noticeable thing
was the silent respect with which the man
with whom she worked treated her. He
followed her footsteps as though one wish
ing to serve her. not as an equal.
sat long, enjoying the peaceful and
happy scene-familiarity had only made
me more fond of that secluded spot--and
thought had learned to appreciate 1t bet
ter; sweet scents and sounds were all
around me. The breeze swept past me as
il rose and died away, rutfiing the surface
of the sea, and hurrying the flight of the
countless insects that rustled their wings
among the wild flowers.
Twas reused from my day dream by see
ing little barefooted lad knew run off to
Jean and pull her gown. Ia q moment
she had snatched up her plaid, spoken to
the manager, and was gone, followed by
the boy. | conjectured that the old wo-
man was perhaps ill but | was always
afraid OF inlruding, and | knew that il
was wanted, Jean would send for me.
left the hillside, aud wound my way up
steep path leading homewards. paused
at the top to rest n moment, and take one
other look of the brilliant and busy scene,
when clear voice began to sing a lovely
Gaelic air, with a mournful refrain in
minor key. 1t was quaint and
with the pathetic sound that invaria-
bly, accompanies beautiful music. Anoth-
er voice Joined in, and yet another; and
rs as the voices swelled up 10 harmony,
thought no melody appeals so forcbly to
our highest feelings, as the unframed
voices OF people, expressing in their own
natural manner the untutored feeling OF
their heart.
CHAPTER ".
had gone to bed late, and as usual had
left my window open, watching as long as
could a most unusual sunset. when | was
Weakened by noise that in my half-dreamy
state seemed as though the sea had burst
its bonds, and was rushing over every
thing. | never remember seeing such
heavy rain. 1t came down in torrents,
bending down the heads of the sturdest
flowers in the little garden below my win
dow, and washing all the gravel off the
soping walks. Thunder reverbeated
round the hill, and vivid flashes of light
ming shot across the sky. A thunder
storm is never so magnificent as among
the mountains; and the echoes, repeated
again and again till they died away in the
distance, seemed almost continuous. 1t
lasted long. Peal after peal succeeded
each other; the birds frightened and be-
wildered, flew from branch to branch to
seek the smallest shelter, and sent forth
melancholy chirps, as though to re-assure
themselves.
BY breakfast time the rain had moderat-
ed, and the thunderstorm was over; and
| went out to enjoy the well-known pleas
antness of the air alter it. and to notice the
damage my poor flowers had sustained.
As | stood there saw a figure hurrying
towards me, with plaid thrown over her
head. 1t was Jean. She was looking
white, and spoke in quick and agitated
way. Mrs. Grant was Ill, and would like
much to see me. She had had news, and
l saw that the news, whatever it was, had
affected Jean equally. In few minutes
was ready. and We walked the shortest
way to Burnside As we came near the
cottage. Jean said in low voice, ken
meth is married-he is coming heme :"
and. leaving my side, l entered alone.
Whittier than usual Mrs. Grant could hard
ly look; but there was great distress in
her keen blue eyes, and in the helpless.
beseeching way in which she stretched
out her hands.
tContnued tomorrow