Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-23
NO. 255.
Gales ano Sksttbes.
CLARISSA'S CHOICE.


handsome specimen of its kind lies sleep
ing on the hearth-rug. There is general
air uf comfort in all the surroundings, yet
Mr.. Dugdale-whose admiration for the
country Is not unresi raiped, and who has
come down to his neglected. estate only
because long-forgetten sense of duty
and new steward have called him-is
sitting with his hands before him, won
dering, in a melancholy fashion, what on
earth he is going to do with himself for
the next month
If, he soliloquizes, he even knew any
one in the county, Uf course they will
all call, the katkins especially, but new
acquaintance are such bore. And din
ners where French cooks are unknown
pah! lie doesn't know tenant on his es-
tate, or lan'll ,rd in the district, except
old Major IIy.le, who, probably, would
be considered uncomfortable in town. He
wonders, vaguely, what Thstleton is do
| ing now, and Dunmure, and all that lot
perhaps
"A lady wishes to see you, SIR" says
IIickson, speaking in respectful UNDER
tone from the doorway.
IL sincerely hope not, Hickson," re-
spends his master, lazily: without turn
ing his head. II really couldn't, you
know. | have come down here against
my will, partly to escape all that kind of
thing. And having sacrificed myself,
insist on quiet
"She says. sir"
II know all about it, with an impa-
tient gesture; '.just say / am i'll, dying,
dead, buried-anything only send her
away"
81 beg your pardon, SIR, with an apol-
ogetic, cough, "but she seemed so urgent
and l could not possibly take it upon my
self TO dismiss the lady in question. be-
lieve you would not wish it, sir, if"
"You have evidently made up Your
mind shall receive her, resignedly;
there is, therefore, nothing for It but to
submit; am incapable of argument un-
der my present depressing circumstances.
Is she," desperately, "a woman or lady,
Hicksonn
"A lady, sir, quite The lady,"
"Ah old or young ?"
Not old, sir; and not too young, eth
err"
Neither old nor young. That gener-
ally means forty. Is she forty?' lr4
''Dear me, no, sii-nothing of the kind
/ beg pardon, sir, | merely meant to I'M
ply she was good deal more than eigh-
teen."
"You are invaluable, Hickson; / have
always said it," with flash of admira-
tion. "Show her in"
"Another Of the personal begging letter
Sort" says Mr.. Dugylale to himself, with
meek shrug, unlocking drawer that
contains money. Better have it ready,
the only thing l know of to get rid of
them in a hurry" Sinking back in his
chair, he .'uts on his most miserable air,
and prepares for an ignOminious defeat.
There is some slight delay; then the
faint rustic of woman's skiris, word or
two from the admirable Hickson, who
then throws wide the door, and announces
Miss Carew,' in his usual well-bred
monotone.
Dugdale. rising from his seat with some
precipitancy, makes her deferential bow.
There is extreme respect, though good
deal of iTepressible surprise, in his man.
ner as his eyes meet hers.
She is young-about three ee-and-twenty-
very slender, verv excellently formed, of
middle height and extremely pretty Her
eyes are clear, dark gray. her light brown
hair is covered by large hat. trimmed
handsomely with feathers; gray gown
fits her rounded figure to perfection; her
hands are incased in irreproachable gloves.
Dugdale, as he looks at her. repents him
of the "begging-letter'' idea. and, at the
bare remembrance Of it, colors slightly.
So does his visitor, though from far differ
ent motives.
II must ask you to pardon this-this in
trusion,n she says, in low tone, though
perfectly distinct and full of dignity and
sweetness. Il would not have come my
| SELF but my brother is quite an invalid,
suffering from an accident, and it was
necessary one of us should see you. When
we heard you were returning to town
again ST. soon it frightened us into action"
81 do notreiurn TO London for month"
"Indeedn' with suppressed chagrin.
1--WE were told you intended leay ing to-
morrow. or next day. Had known the
truth"
"Pray sit down." says Dugdale. court
eously handing her chair. land let me
know what can do for you"
Il should have introduced myself" she
says. with a faint smile. MY brother
and are your tenants. Mr.. Dugdale, and
have, IamthinEing, some slight claim upon
your forbearance. The place-Weston
Lodge, you know t?-has been in the pos
session of our family for years. First,
my grandfather had it from your grand
father; then my father had il; now my
brother has it; but our lease has expired"
She pauses.
"You make me feel ashamed that know
so little of my tenants, or their wishes or
concerns" he says. II know, indeed,
nothing of the neighborhoOd. My living
so much abroad is my only excuse, But
that my late steward. poor fellow, died,
and chat the new man insisted on my pres
ence here for few weeks, should not be
in this house now. Yes, you want a new
lease-is that itp''
THAT is it," with a glance of surprise
ut his evident indifference to, or ignorance
of. all that has been going on Of late.
1.-The new man you speak of-Graham-
has. think, advised you to the cootrarv.
He wishes 10 take our farm. and incorpo-
rate it with the fields that lie beyond It,
and let it all out at a higher value. OF
couse we can retain the house, but without
the land it is useless 20 us. as my brother
is fond OF farming. We are willing you
should raise our rent--We would gladly