Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-08
Gales ano Skrttbes.
JOHN SINCLAIR.
Continued from Yesterday

heart How weak, now Naclllatlhp n
few months ago, | almost. if not quite,
broke her heart by telling her that my
affections had changed-that | loved her
no longer. Now l find, when ii is too late
when she has gone. that | love her with
a wild, yearning passion that is beyond
my power TO suppress or control. Poor
girl the plenitude of the suffering is
equalled only by the torturing pangs of
misery and remorse that are gnawing at
the very chords of my heart"
He bowed his head while flood of
memories, painful and bitter. swept through
his troubled brain.
A few moments later. he was aroused by
a servant who entered the room and pre-
sented letter.
He took it eagerly, glanced at the SUI
prescription, tore open the envelope and
proceeded to read its contents.
well, well he soliloquized as he re-
folded the missive. "A letter from George
Milford, concluding with pressing invi-
tation to spend month at the residence of
his father in Vermont =
After few moments reflection, he con-
tinued: "There is nothing to be accomp-
lished here was just thinking of visit
ing that locality. The golden opportunity
vi course 4 Ill go. SASS w EEHfrl
He found himself, the following morn
ing, en- route for Vermont. In the early
afternoon, the train drew up before the de
pot at Maysville, his destination. Pick
ing up his travelling bag, he stepped from
the train only to be confronted by George
Milford, who shook him warmly by the
hand, and proceeded to lead the way to
the carriage. A refreshing drive of two
miles, past fragrant meadows. and through
shady lanes, brought them to the charming
grove-environed residence of Squire Nit
ford. The old squire and his estimable
wife stood at the door to welcome their
visitor to the inequalities of their comfort
able home.
After couple of hours spent in pleas
ant conversation with the old folks, John
acceded to the invitation of George to take
ride on horseback over the adjacent
landscape. He had never been in Vermont
before-had never seen such beautiful
scenery as that which now met his vision
on every side.
Verdant meadows, charming landscapes,
murmuring brooks, fragrant flowers, and
sweetest of all, the joyous, enhancing
music of the birds, called forth words of
admiration at almost every step.
Here a charming farm residence, EN-
bosomed in the depths of shady grove,
engaged his attention; while there at the
right, spread out before him like grand
panorama, beautiful valley, interspersed
with woodlands, meadows, and fields of
golden grain, held him spell-bound with
an enchanting scene of loveliness. After
an hour he returned greatly invigorated,
speaking of the country and its scenery in
terms of unbounded admiration, telling
the old squire that it was certainly the
most charming place in the world.
AT this juncture George produced case
Of cigars, and the two young men re-
paired to the piazza to enjoy the luxury OF
IN evening smoke, and talk over the incl
dents of the past-the past so fruitful with
its store of bitter memories TO John Sin
clair, who was RECALLING his friend with
life in New Orleans, when low, subdued
strains of music. stealing, like a sweet in
SEPARATION through the open window, fell
upon his ear like a spell of enchantment.
Soft and plaintive at first, the volume of
tone gradually increased till the very air
was resonant with an enchanting harmony,
whose magnetic influence sent thrill of
delicious sensation to the very finger tips
of the infatuated young man Such
music! Sometimes gliding smoothly
along Ike the limpid waters of some
beautiful. babbling Stream then like the
rushing torrcnt, dashing madly among the
ragged rocks, it blended in thousand
bewildering harmonies that died away in
soft cadences like the. murmuring of the
evening breeze.
The soul of John Sinclair was wrapped
in spell of speechless admiration He
had heard music beforehand heard. by
the greatest masters, the rendition of the
grandest creations that the inspirations of
genius had contributed to the world Of
song; but nothing like this. There was
something strangely fascinating, strangely
familiar in the execution that sent his
mind back TO the days Of the past-to the
hours when the dimpled fingers of Ollie
Berdan danced over the KEYS of the old
piano at the residence of Judge Brochton
The player seemed in CHEEKY mood.
Now the gay, undulating strains of a
waltz yibrated on the evening air. John
Sinclair sprang to his feet and grasped his
companion by the arm.
"Who-who is she pr he asked. turning
CHASTITY white am ~~ .
"Miss Ollie-Ollie-'i The speaker
paused as If he had forgotten the name.
Miss Ollie Melville. She was absent
believe, when you camen
The inexpressible light of hope that
sprang into the eyes of the other at the
mention of the word Ollie died slowly
away at the conclusion Of the name .Mei-
vllle.p lie shook his head dubiously, as
he sank into his seat muttering 'sStrange
strange sd
Alter moment, he continued Excuse
my demeanor, George. That music awoke
memories of another that--that for a mo-
ment quite forgot myself
Again his face turned livid i'm express
sion. A song! ''The Beautiful Bride of
Armindale.i' He started to his feet and
stood as if transfixed by the pathetic words
and the unsurpassing sweet voice of the
singer. There was no installing that
voice; it vast could be no others
Ollie Berdan's. A joyousradiancema
his face as the truth, the happy truth
dawned upon his mind. lie stood with
bowed head as if impressed with some
holy influence until the last words were
uttered
"let me introduce YOU, john said
George Milford, who had sat regarding
with deep degree Of interest, the Strange
manner Of the man before him.
Al.