Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-11
(Coutinued from first mage. !


were wet. and matted into little points.
and she sobbed as we passed bv.
THAT poor child | am afraid her
mother i'll treats her, said Parson Hooper
and what pretty girl she is growing -
Pretty 'A+l was too much struck
with The new view of lal to dis.
pute it. and my companion passed or
10 other subjects; but as soon as
l parted from him drove back quickly
10 the spot where we passed the sleeping
girl. But she was gone, and had to ride
home without deciding the question
whether the parsons eyes or mine had
been mistaken. AT the veranaa door
however, | saw. Lal with her milk car
waiting Till Tom choose to find time to fill
i tor her. leaning cross-leceed agains, the
door post. and looking modify out on the
sea.
walked up and took critical survey
A long limbed girl. with very short and
rather ragged stuff frock, bare feet, brown
as berries arms and hands to match; a
good deal of brown hair which lately she
had taken to brushing and tying back with
a scrap of faded ribbon thin face, with
flush OF bright color in the cheeks and
pair of brown eyes, which were always
watchful and suspicious to me, but soft
and wistful to Clint. My eyes sharpened
by the Parsons careless remark took note
OF all these points, and ] summoned Lal
sharply TO me.
swell. Mr.. Westcott." she said coming
unwillingly, and scowling at me with her
straight black brows.
..How old are you, Lal ?''
.'lse turned fifteen last summer; hut it
amt no business O. yourn, is 1t, Mr.. West
colt ?"
Not much perhaps; but you are grow
ing big girl; and ought to 60 to service
somewhere. Wouldn't Won like to go
away from this dull place p
go away from the station p echoed
Lal, al the color fading out of her face.
as she raised her startled eyes to mine 81
couldn't do it !! Besides who would like to
have me for servaHtp' she added with
scornful little laugh.
but II you like to try it. Lal. could
try for you," weLt on, but she interrupted
me fiercely.
Look here, Mr.. Westcott ! know
amt a good girl, but dom; know as ever |
did You any harm, that you should try and
get me away and cant go, can't can't |!
] should die if couldn't never see his
face. nor hear him speak,
In the frenzy of passion and excitement
which possessed her, Lal had fallen on her
knees, and clutched my coat with both her
hands. looking up with an agony OF sup
plication. as If l could decide her fate
Here wns pretty situation for Ralph West
colt. manager, 10 stand in?
''Lal, my dear. don't be a fool" ut
tered disjointedly. "Wbat nosense is this?
You shan't go away unless you like, but
for Heavens sake get up and behave your
self There that's better" said, as she
dragged herself up on to her feet. and
stretched out her hand mechanically for
her milk-can. which bad rolled off the We
rsnda. Now, Lal, be a good girl, and
60 home. and make up your mind never
to talk such nonsense again. You know
Dir. Clint is gentleman. and will be a
very rich one when his father dies, and
how could You for one moment suppose"
Lal put out her hand with a pathetic
gesture to stop me.
Lord" she cried with bitter little
laugh, which always makes me angry
ITS you as is talking nonsene now !!
Don 7 you think know he's set above us
like the stars; and as if he could ever look
at the likes of /. But that don't make no
difference to me as know Of she added.
dropping all at once into low tone OF indie
scribable despair. and turning away. AT
this moment we both saw Clint returning
withihe dogs from bath in the river He
stopped moment to pick pear as he
passed through Reuben the Maori's gar
den, but we heard his clear voice singing
"Then tell me how to WOO thee love, then
tell me how to WOO thee," as if in uncon-
scious mockery of Lars misery and pain.
For once really felt out of patience with
Clints beaming good humor.
go home, child, - cried, and La van
ished without another word. walked
over to the fence to meet Fairfax.
Ralph, my boy, you look very glum
How delicious these peaches are, he" ad-
ded, fastening on another.
Should tell him Las secret, and beg
him to show the wre,ched girl less kind
ness 10 the futurep
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