Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-29
Gales and Sketehes.
A COUNTRY CH0RISTER.
Continued from Yesterday

A month passed away, however, and
there was no word OF cheer from home.
A few lines scrawled upon an expanse of
paper at length told her that Dora was
unable to write, and that even the music
lessons must be discontinued, A kind OF
debility had seized upon Dora. Mrs. Fair
field wrote, that took away her strength
and appetite.
Jane fumed and fretted over this bulle-
tin, and the forewoman of her establish
ment declared there was no pleasing Miss
Fairfield nohow.
Miss Slopkins' silk fitted her to that per-
fection that she looked as If she was melt
ed and run into it: but there was no
pleasing Miss Fairfield no how.
AS the weeks went by, the messages
from home became more and more lugu-
brious, and at last there was hint that
some of Dora's ancestors had been affect
ed similarly at Dora's age, and that Jane
knew consumption was in the family
At this dire. word the letter fell from
James trembling hand. Like many
healthy, vigorous organizations. she shud-
dered when the knowledge was forced
upon her that somewhere there was lurk-
ing fell destroyer capable OF swooping
down upon any prey, fonl or fair, that
Suh stiLt MS ltuNy. out DcCduc GU
ragel, OF course, with what she called
her mothers imbecility, and wrote back
to her never to dare mention that word
again, that if it had ever had been 10 the
family it was the old fashioned kind that
people throve upon and lived with to ri
dicuious old age.
Jane said 1T all through the letter.
then became so terrified with this little
monosy liable that she tore the paper into
fragments, sent telegram to her fore
woman, and started in the afternoon train
ior home.
Dora looked so beautiful 10 Jane that
she could not persuade herself she was at
all out of health Her eyes shone like
sapphires, and her cheeks wore so bril-
liant IA glow that Jane took courage, aud
began to believe that all would yet be
we'll.
For week or two Dora seemed to gain
strength again. James sharp but genial
company was like tonic to the failing
health OF the child, and she was even able
TO 90 to chuch once more. But her step
was faltering and slow. and the powerful,
imperious notes that had once filled the
church with rare rich melody were lost in
Il faint sweet shadow of their former
selves. Tremblingly and low they tell
upon James listening ear, and smote upon
her heart until it was like to burst. Then
the plying glances of the good country
folks, the dainties showered i'm upon her
day by day for her fainting appetite,
above all, the unearthly beauty that
seemed to shape itself about Dora before
James terrified eyes-all these drove the
poor woman to desperation, and she found
herself praying for relief in any shape.
She wished from the bottom OF her heart
that this man Van Dorm loved Dora, as
the poor child was foolish enough to be-
come prey to hereditary malady SIM
ply because this strong element OF her
| life was thwarted.
But Jane could find no proof of this
either in the past or the present. He had
simply been civil, perhaps kinder to Dora
| at times than to others, because nobody
could help being kind to her.
But how to inveigle this fellow to Dora's
feet 1t was a most unpromising and
hateful task. What an aggravation to
misery to plot and plan for a result that
will only be bearable as a means OF saw
ing life AS far as all those bright dreams
OF James went, it would snuff them out
| like the extinguisher of candle. But
| life. sweet life, must be saved from the
| wreck. Ii that were overpast for Dora,
| then would it be worse than worthless to
Jane.
| OF course the instrument must be money,
| This was the lever that moved the world.
Miles Van Dorm was ambitious; he was
poor. struggling, hemmed in with difficult
ties on all sides. Jane could afford to pay
we'll for the overthrow of her own ambi-
ton, and thus foster that of Miles Van
Dorm.
She went TO town. and from thence
drove out to the parsonage Of Ralph Pey-
ton, which was but short distance from
the suburbs of the metropolis.
Entering the snug little study it gave
her singular shock to see the shapely
form of Miles Van Dom bent over huge
volume of legal lore. She expected to
see him, and really chose the evening for
her visit to favor this presumption; but.
| nevertheless, to have thus before her this
| tieshly agent the tates had chosen for her
discontinue gave her a shock OF dsmay.
Calm and cold, always seemingly well
dressed, whatever the material or cut OF
his apparel. Jane vaguely approved OF his
personal appearance. 1t was creditable-
amazingly so-tor Van Dorni He
seemed politely desirous OF news from his
late abiding place, but kept his long front
finger on the page OF his book, and
glanced longingy thither from time to
time. At last Ralphs step was heard in
hall, and Immediately upon the young
minister's entrance he turned to legal
study. He bowed politely when Jane left.
but looked to Ralph to do the honors of
departure.
Ralph" she said II came here with
purpose, but my heart failed me. The
fact is, this is a terrible blow to me-"
What is a terrible blow, Jane ?'
"Why, this foolish madness of Dora's.
| don't believe. mark you, she's dying for
love, but she's naturally delicate, and has
been spoiled all her life. Whatever it is.
she's wasting away. Ralph, and can't
bear it; it kills me- You know don't you.
said Jane, with her foot on the step Of the
carriage. that all | have will be hers
sometimes and ii is no paltry trifie, oan
tell you" a.