Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-07
Gales aud Sketehes.
A LOVERS MISTAKE.
BY MARY y. PRESCOTT.

TO look after the mill, which had lately
fallen into the hands OF Strathley Il Stone,
lumber merchants of the metropolis. a
hundred miles away. Why had Mr..
Strathley chosen to immune himself in
that little country village, whose society
was naturally uncongenial to man of
the worldp Why, if it were not because
he had seen Margaret on his first visit to
look after the purchase of the mill, and
had dined at her grandfather's as ii he
were an old friend9 John reasoned:
Were there not women as fair in his own
world whom he could love aud win. that
he need go out OF his way TO rob another
man? Could he not have sent an agent
To reside at Ford, and attend To the firms
business, in that old-iashioned corner of
The earth. il money-making were the only
attractions What malign fate had caused
him to gravitate to Ford, where no stran-
ger was ever known to stay a moment
longer than circumstances Obliged him !?
With his fine manner and fine clothes;
his palaver about all things in heaven and
earth; his handsome face and figure, was
it not hiding his light under IA bu>he
What could he find in Ford to interest
him if il were not Margaret?
1t was a bitter season for Loriimer. who
having been sweet upon Margaret ever
siuce he was boy in jackets felt as If he
had established a claim upon her atfec
TONS, and was aggrieved to find her
amused by Strathley-walking with him
in season and out OF season sitting in
the farmhouse porch 10 confidential con-
verse. or singing from the same old psal-
ter on Sunday evenings. Ii was surely
ntth In aud
tally one who felt SO certain OF his case
that he bad delayed about riveting the
chains, and had taken everything for
granted before putting the question.
Lorrimer began 10 study his mirror for
the first time in his lile 10 become
enamored of fine clothes; TO suspect him
self OF awkwardness and ignorance. 1t
suddenly occurred to him that he must
have been blind ever to have believed that
Margaret would care for him. though he
had thought that actions spoke louder than
words though he had taken her part at
school, when the others twIled her about
her shabby gowns and her wild brother
Ben, who had brought his grandiather's
nose 10 the grindstone-ihe country peo-
pie said-and obliged him TO mortgage
the farm and this same mill. which had
been bis own years ago, in order to pay
gambling debts.
and served him right. they grumbled
not satisfied with the retribuiion Proyi-
dence had seen fit 10 administer, "seryed
him right for educating Ben beyond his
betiers. I'LL he was that proud be looked
down on his own kith and kin and ran
away TO sea, where all the scamps go.
when there amt no more money to make
away with"
And it want no great loss, neither
they declared on board, off the coast
somewhere, and nobody left to give the
particulars; though he's gone to his ac-
count, and we don't have no wish to dis
parage the dead
All at once Lorrimer began to look at
himself as if he were somebody else. and
the view failed to satisfy his soul. Cross
ing the brook that flowed through the
meadow, one evening, he met Margaret
alone.
''Well met" said she gaily, showing
him a handful of water-liles. See, |
hshed these out OF the bottomless pond, in
an old leaky wherry that was rotting on
the shore. Will you have some ?n
why didn't you ask me to get them
for you. Margaret You might have been
ut the bottom OF the pond by this time.
ut Is bottomless, you know"
why didn't you ask Mr. Strathley ID
get them for you P'' he added, as An after
thought.
The sudden color Redeemed upon Mar
garet's cheek.
"Mr. Strathley has something else to
do"
But l have nothing else to do that
should like half as well, Margaret-we
used to be such friends-I used to think
but no matter what--you find Strathey
more TO your mind, no doubt. | don't
blame you. only we were such old
friends -
There was look of trouble growing in
Margaret's eyes. I'VE are friends still. |
hope" she said.
'Are we? That fellow with his fine airs
and bold eyes has bewitched you; we
were happy enough. before he came. Do
you know what they say in the village ?"
81 do not care what they say" she re-
piled, with growing color and tear in
her eyes that belied her words. What
right have you to speak of meP Why do
you listen. you who pretend to be my
friend ?n
Pretend That's an honest word be-
tween you and me ! listen because I'm
not deaf. Ii Strathley had your good at
heart"
Take care, John, don't say anything
against Mr.. Strathley. You might be sor-
ry Tor it some day. He is-he knew nv
poor brother Ben-at school, or some
where. 1t does us good to hear him talk
of Ben! !" 1t was hard for Margaret to
dissemble, and she did it with "A poor
grace.
blessings brighten as they take their
fight" thought Lorrimer;" knew your
brother Ben, did he and your grand
father listens?" The time had been when
Ben's name had been forbidden, and the
old farmer had sworn that Ben s shadow
should never darken his door.
people ought to be careful how they
speak OF their own flesh and blood, !"
groaned the neighbors when the Arcturus
was cast away, and the last chance of for
giving Ben with it. But though grand
father Bevis had aged since then, and be
gun to have halt in his step and stoop
IN his shoulder, and to grow fresh crop
Oh wrinkles, yet even grim death had
failed TO obliterate Ben's misdeeds-,heir
impoverished condition was a constant re-