Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-24
NO. 1913.
Gales aud Sketfhes.
A WORD IN SEASON.
Continued from yesterday

81 hope you will forgive her for coming
up so unceremoniously, began Felicia,
speaking rapidly to hide her own nervous
ness. ''Your old house-keeper gave me
leave, and-well felt so sorry for you,
sick and alone in strange place, that
wanted to come. If it tires you, you must
send me away"
The girl looked at her moment 10 ST.
lence. Then she said, Wont you sit
DOWN. There's chair"
Miss Malows sat down. She was
pleasant object to look at in her olive
greens and pheasant browns, with cheeks
and eyes frightened by frosty air. and the
invalid felt it. 70
wasn't youp" she said, II recollect your
hat. I've been sick most ever since. 1t
seems long time" ..s.s +
1.-The first few weeks in a new place
are apt to seem long" replied Felicia,
kindly; land | dare say you miss your
home" 80
Il haven't any home to miss'-sadly.
"Indeed -
mo. don't remember my folks at all
or scarcely. My father he died when |
was born, and mother when | was but
two. ! hadn't anybody else. so they sent
me to the orphan asylum, and lived there
fifteen years"
Poor child! Did youP And what
then ?"
Then | was took by Mr.. Parker over
to Cheshire. was their help, but they
was very good to me. and it was most of
a home d ever had. Miss Parker she liked
to have me call her ma, and did,"
And then you married Mr.. Dali
rymple."
Yes The blue eyes clouded over,
and the lips closed tightly over the one
word.
And now | hope you'll have real
home of your own at last. What pleas
ant old place this is ! Even at this season
one can see that. And my friends tell me
that Mr.. Dalrymple is so kind and clever,
and so much respected in the neighbor-
hood. ! am sure you cannot fail to be
happy with him, though at first the farm
may seem little lonely and strange"
The reply to these well-meant remarks
| was unexpected, for she burst into vio-
lent fit of crying. which no soothing on
the part OF her dismayed guest availed to
check.
"I'll tell you about it, she sobbed at
last. quieting little and won to confidence
as it were, bv the tears in Felicia's own
eyes. II haven't had any one to tell be-
| fore, and I'm so unhappy, didn't ever
| think should feel so when got married.
They all said that | should be a fool if |
didn't take Mr.. Dalrymple, because he
was so well off, and he wanted me so
much. Even Miss Parker she said
she couldn't countenance no such
a thing as my sayin' no, and I'd never
have such another chance the longest day
| lived. Then I'd never had no one to do
| for me before, and he gave me such a lot
of things, and did so like to look nice
and pretty like ladies do, and SOL did. y
And then, somehow, when it was over,
and had to 90 off with him, it came to
me all OF sudden what I'd done, and
how my whole life was always a-going to
be there. and know the girls laughed at
us behind our backs, and Louisa Brooks
| called him 'Spindle-toes, and yet I'd got
to stay by him and never go any where
| else, or be anything else. And it all come
over me, and it was awful! l han't
never realized il before" And she looked
with piteous eyes inte Miss Mallows' face,
who stroked her hand gently. but wisely
| made no answer as yet
Il s'pose folks do call this pleasant
place." she went on. after a little pause,
but it don't look pleasant to me- | Amt
used to the country, or to being alone all
day There was two hundred of US at the
| asylum. and at Miss Parker's we was close
| to the town, and see folks a-passing and
| hear wagons. It's so still here | can hear
myself think almost, and the wind makes
noises in the chimney, and lie awake at
night and listen. It's like voice, aud it
| saws. Alone alone and groans, and
| frightens me awfully.'
Il don't think it says that exclaimed
Miss Mallows, with a sudden inspiration.
sit says. a home a hOme a homer
That's what wind always seems to me to
say in homely old chimneys like these"
Then she thought to herself, Shall ? or
shan't /? [ hate preaching. aud hate
meddling; but there's a chance to do bit
of good, maybe, and-yes, I'll risk it.
| Now listen to me, dear" she went on,
aloud. softening her voice as if to a child.
| This is what | think about your position.
It seems to me that you are just at that
point when YOU must decide for yourself .
whether you'll be happy woman or an
unhappy one for the rest of your life."
"lIow j.? What do YOU mean 2'
"Why, you were II lonely girl, you
know, with no real home OF your own,
| and here good man has come along and
| taken YOU into his He loves you dearly
now. and you nave great zeal OF lnhu-
ence over him, and you can do pretty
much as you like n0r and how long will
| that last if you go on crying and being
unhappy and showing how little you care
for him ?"
II don't know" whispered the bride,
family.
Then you are married yoa know. You
have given promise, and must keep it,
even if IN makes vou sorry Promises ara
solemn things Ba. think you Can keep
it and be happy too. And it strikes me
you have a chance to do most beautiful
thing" ate ati 'H
what is that ?" wonderingly.
ITO make up, 10 a man tOho ioues yota,
for hard, hard thing IN has life. Think