Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-12-28
Continued from Fret Page. }

out because have something particular
to say to vou.'' | knew that flushed
crimson under his keen glance. which read
m :. face. heart and mind, like an open
page.
II am listening returned humbly.
"Will you promise to believe that have
tried to think what is best for YOU? viii
you promise to do what | have decided
YOU must do? Pr
Yes"
II want You to 90 to Europe in ten days
with my cousin, Mrs. Winslow, and her
husband. They will remain abroad sever
al years. He goes to take the position OF
the foreign partner in their firm, who has
lately died"
His tone if not Indifferent was wholly
matter-of-fact. forgot everything save
a conviction of my helpless misery at being
thus eNiled. claspcd my hands together
on my breast and gave a cry like a hurt
animals. DR. Wilde had turned away and
seemed to be staring at the noisy skaters
on the lake below He would not look at
me.
at will be pleasant change for YOU, -
he pursued. his voice Just a trific less deli
berate. ''You ought to go TO Europe.
You will enjoy it greatly"
tried to say something, but a cruel sob
broke from my lips instead.
you are Young, child, so young. said
he, bending closer To me and speaking al
most under his breath. Don't dream but
that in three months You will smile with
wonder TO remember that your first i'm
pulse was to reject this journey in new and
enchanted lands. am old,-so very old,
and know that to youth, to youth, Alice,
ANYTHING is possible in the way of a change
of feelings-giving variety of scene and oc-
cupation Besides. these new experiences
and sensations will give you new powers.
! shall expect great cleverness from my
little friend
He had paused by the fence and leaned
nv head on the rail and covered my face
with my hands. | felt stunned and help
less. He was silent for few moments.
then resumed, Il know how the lovely
Mrs. Rivers must attract the gay society
she will meet. A young and beautiful
widow is sure to make many conquests--
worthy men will seek her-she will soon
marry" But his voice broke down at
this.
81 am cold" said. "Let us 90 home -
He drew my jacket closer at the throat
with worried look. perhaps | ought
not to have brought you out in such Il
sharp air. he exclaimed
We turned back. "When does Mrs
Winslow sail ?' asked calmly.
"A week from Saturday"
''Can be ready by that time? ?"
eyes. That shall be my care
IL will CO. said forcibly. "'Many
travel for pleasure saith Seneca, to that
" ant han h.,1
laughed nervously. This was favorit,
quotation of DIR. Wilde's. yes, | will
go. am lonely here have no ties. NJ
friends. Miss Dorothy never speaks
she knits all day long. and if | addres,
her disturb her reckoning of her stitches
often feel very desolate"
my poor child
'As you say" | pursued relentlessly
81 am young; it is possible that | may
marry. You shall come to my wedding
and give me away. DIR. Wilde
| stole glance at him. He was look
ing down at me and answered my defiance
with a dreary smile.
Fling any stones you like at me-" sale
he. Nothing can hurt me much more
and the sport may amuse YOU
We went home in silence, unbroken ex
cept for a few questions and answers con
corning the most suitable arrangement
about my travelling expenses.
The moment reached home | sough
Miss Dorothy and COMPOUNDED her by m,
news. She had lived many quiet yea
by herself in the old house. and was,
dare say, more gladdened than saddeneo
by the thought of returning to her oil,
routine. | at once set about nv prepare
lions and accomplished my task all too
soon. This interval before my departur,
seemed too endless to be borne. Tel
days and nights of inaction, with all thi
leisure for thought and recollection. DIR
Wilde came no more until the last nigh
before | was to meet the Winslows. ii.
wanted to spare me all he could | toe
knew that it was better that we should no
meet. ! had no courage in addressing
him, and my manner must, in spite of hi,
self-control, have pressed upon him cleal
intuitons which interpreted but too wei
all | left unuttered
The final day came and spent it in go
ing over the little memorials retained o.
my old life with Tom, and Bert, and Bah,
Alice. What right have to expect tc
be happy any more ?' | asked myself 81
have thought too much of ease and com
fort of mind; of being spared the weari
ness of dark thoughts and melancholy un,
rest. never accepted the lesson of Tom
death | forgot it in my children, and
then when they We're taken from me
turned to DR.. Wilde. And now | have tc
pay the full penalty of my sim
tried to believe that | was more than
ever before weak and sinful being. and
that this was my punishment for loving
earth and its woes and blisses over-much.
Yet these convictions Welded me no in
SEPARATION which could strengthen my mind
and exalt my heart above the wish to rest
humbly upon the will of some one loved
and believed in. Let me 20 over nv
memories as | might and point their
meaning; let me yield to the keen pane
of renewed sorrows and pray for sub
mission. the ideas and needs ofthe presen,
asserted themselves and filled me with
dreary oppression.
was still in this complex mood. ques-
tioning why must be singled out as one
TO be isolated and cut off from any swee,
feeling of rest and hope when DR.. Wilde
came that last evening. He began by tell
ing me about his arrangements with nv
bankers, and Miss Dorothy with her old