Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-14


am"
"Ten years A woman Is simply fool
who marries boy" cried the general.
testify. 1T always turns out badly. |
will leave now. have letters to write to
my Solicitors
AT the same moment there came from
the music room "a sound of music and of
song. 1t was clearly almost an invitation
10 the captain. and with a really wildly
beating heart he turned into the passage
which led to PEARLS morning room.
IN an instant he stood in the doorway.
and saw the lovely maid attired 10 An ele-
giant morning dress of the nature OF which
ne knew nothing. but he never forgot.
giving herself wholly to the charm OF the
music. As soon as she had finished he adj
vsnced nearer and looked at her with all
his love and admiration in his eyes. Sup
pressed hitherto, it was all the stronger
now.
''Is that youP" said Pearl, asking very
foolish question.
But then, you see, his appearance had
put her heart to very much tumult
well, he began, seating himself by
her side, and speaking In more tender
tone than he had ever assumed before, II
suppose there is no doubt of my identity.
butilf am de trop l will retire"
by no MEANS" she faltered. 81 be-
lleve we had arranged something about a
duet.
Yes" he said, venturing to take her
hand in bis. 81 have not forgotten, but |
have something else to say just now.
have been some days rousing my courage
to DO so, and now lind that must speak"
feari Withdrew her hand gently. and
then clasping them together, bent her eyes
on the ground. She was alternately white
and red, and her bosom heaved with I'M
usual quickness.
Miss Ravenscroft, ever since | have
made your acquaintance have loved you,
looked upon you as the only woman who
could make me happy as my wife. But |
have striven against the feeling for many
reasons. l am going away at once. 1
shah be two years absent, and thought it
ungenerous to seek to tie one so young TO
grisly soldier like myself"
Captain Montague ~ she ialtered.
'Well, that was my idea. But love
deep. earnest love-overcame all other
feelings, and ! now come to you, with
your fathers sanction, to say, Helen,
darling Pearl, can You love me-wlll yon
be my wife p
Pearl sat still, motionless, utterly una
bic to speak. Though not wholly unex-
pected-women are keen in their percep-
tons In these matters--it was sudden.
"fiave you no answer? ?" he said, almost
sadly. "Have i presumed too much on
your kindnessp II so allow me to retire"
mo-" she answered, lifting up her
blushing face and fearful eyes to him, do
not g0away. II will be quite bad enough
when the time comes"
His countenance beamed with almost
ecstalic happiness.
'sThen, after all, you love me p he
said In low, passionate tones.
Don't ask me anything more" she
whispered. in beseeching tone.
But, as usual, he would not be salts
fed, and before long the words were
whispered which, as far as they were
binding, made those two one.
70 describe the delight and satisfaction
OF The general would be a task beyond our
powers. He was simply in the seventh
heaven of delight.
~s.Blsss you both I" he cried, in tones of
earnestness. '.And may you be only as
happy as you have made me-"
A happy trio it was for some weeks,
and when the hour of parting came, it
was with sweet kind of sorrow the lovers
separated.
Pearl and / will have something to
talk about" observed the general.
Everybody saw change in Pearl -
She was more womanly, more serious, as
If the coming of her future matronhood
already influenced her. But she was
none the less happy, and neither neglected
her studies nor her duties. Thus several
months elapsed, and Pearl began to be
uneasy about her father. He went to
town rather happy. and returned in very
Responding state. But despite all her ct
forts he would say nothing. One day
alter dinner visitor was announced.
He was shown into the library, where the
general soon Joined him, leaving Pearl in
the drawing-room.
Suddenly there was n loud ringing OF
bells, and, fearing some sudden calamity.
Pearl rose and rushed to the library
whence the summons came, and entered
with the servants.
e..Oh, my rather !" she cried. throwing
herself on the prostate body Of her father.
"What has happened ?"
"a sudden fit-bad news-send for a
doctor,' said the stanger, dressed as a
lawyer might have been.
Presently the invalid opened his eyes
oou Ao1hOu Whul1 uiOunu. AllcI Inlu-
ute he saw Pearl, and groaned.
my darling father she asked. "what
ails y0u p D1
Ruined, ruined. my poor child, and all
my own fault" he whispered. "You
mast 60 to your aunt Holdsworth."
And again he closed his eyes, nor
opened them again. Before midnight,
despite the doctors. he had pas led away.
Pearl was insensble, nor did she know
much until after the funeral, when she
had an Interview with the solicitor in the
presence Of the governess.
81 am SO sorry, my dear young lady"
said the man OF law, ''to inform you that
your father has died ruined man. Led
Into speculations he did not understand,
he has lost all. Even the house and fur
niture are gone, and you have little more
than fifty pounds a year from your moth-
er's jointure left"
.'What then am / to do p she faltered
at last
'.She must write and ask her aunt, Lady
Holdsworth, TO take her for the present.
Duf In The lavernasa