Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-13
(Continned from First Page. J

not lighted he began to hunt for matches
in his pockets, a quest that promised to he
endless, for every time he made the rounds
of trousers. vest and coat he forgot where
he had begun, and SO had to make the
tour again.
In order to lower his discontinue and il
possible distract Violet, Mary launched in
TO a string of acrimonious personal criti-
cisms on one of the croquet players before
them She was so abusive that Violet was
conscious of faint colorless sensation OF
surprise, at hearing such language from
the most benevolent and charitable ol
girls. But it did not strongly impress her,
seeming to be quite in keeping with the
general shock she was sustaining.
But there was now a diversion that
brought the situation to a crisis. The GRO
quetests came up, Ilallets in hand. one
of their party had retired from the game
and they wanted VIII to take her place.
As she saw them coming, Violet, by a he
roic effort. transformed the look of anguish
on her face into a smiling air OF interests
in what Mary was saying. Her only idea
now was to hide Wills condition from the
others.
Come Mr. Ronalds.' said SADIE Allen.
the prettiest of the newcomers. Laura
won't play any more and YOU must b. my
partner"
Come Will"
ado come
1T will spoil the game if you don't, y"
said others
Will knew enough to be aware that it
would he sure detection for him to 90. but
being too stupid to invent any excuse or
to say no he was Just about yielding to
their importantly. But Violet was equal
to the emergency She smiled into the
foolishlv grinning face of her lover
and said with an air of coquettish chal-
lenge.
You would rather take n walk with
me than play croquet, wouldn't You
The poor fellow had just sense enough
to nod assent without removing the I'M
lighted cigar from his lips. Mary in
stantly came to Niolct's supportby eager
" declaring that she wanted to take
Laura's place.
"Why, Mary, whats come over
YOU? thought you hated croquet and
never played exclaimed SADIE in sur
prise.
But Mary's only reply was to seize a
uluilCt dliu IusIl VII ~ pay
whittier the others had to follow her
Once there, by gross blunders and loud
talk she tried to engross their attention.
but these young people were not dull,
and while they appeared to be quite de-
ceived by the ruse, every one compre-
hended the pathetic meaning Of the
sight, as Violet, trying to steady his
lurching gait, slowly led her lover away.
ILL L., Il. II 4
at lunch presided with perfect self-posses-
sion. The party, however, broke up ear
lier than common. 1t is evidence of the
unusual powers of rcticence possessed by
the young ladies who were present at the
croquet party. that it was full day and
half before all the circumstances of
Wills escapade We're known to evervper-
son in the village. OF course no one ven
tured to speak to Violet of the matter, but |
she understood perfectly well that it had
become common gossip. She would have
known that merely from the new interest
with which people looked after her rs she
walked about the streets, and from some
thing odiously sympathetic in the en-
preston of countenallce with which her
lady acquaintance greeted her. But She
made no sign. carrying herself quite as
usual, and only her mother and Mary
noted how rigidlythc muscles rose through
the thin smiles, and how the red veins
about the eyes. showed in certain lights.
A week after the croquet party there
was little party at SADIE Aliens. Mary
and Violet were there and. SADIE was
careful to give the latter to understand
that Will had been invited He was not.
however, present. Violet occasionally.
tooK spasmodic part in the converse
ton, but for the most part sat in wrapped
up silence, with an air of self-absorption
such that those who glanced at her with
word to say turned away without saving
it. Finally she was missing from the
room. and Mary while afterward found
her leaning on the front gate all alone.
my poor little girl" she said, putting
her arm around her and drawing her head
down to her shoulder
ooh / am so miserable" Violet whis-
pered huskily, and as if the words had
been the dam that stood in the way of her
tears she began to cry. Mary let her
cry while, and then merely said what is
after all perhaps the best argument
against sorrow,
don't cry, dear" and soon Violet
stopped. not being of the sort whom cry
ing makes cry, who cry mostly al their
own tears.
Have you seen him, since that night 90
she asked.
NO said Mary. mo doubt he is
ashamed to show himself II will do him
good to be thoroughly ashamed of him
self"
II am SO sorry for him. | know he
feels so badly. If | could only tell him
that l forgive him." Violet said passion
ately
Mary replied after a pause.
III you marry him and he is intempcr
ate, it will make you utterly miserable
She was surprised and alittlc indignant
to see Niolet's resentment at his conduct
had so quickly dissolved in compassionate
tenderness.
1T will kill me-" Violet answered with
quiet conviction.
ut seems TO me that I'd never marry
man who wouldn't take the pledge for inv
sake said Mary with some asperity.
Its clear you've never been in love ="
replied Violet dejectedly
why don't you tell him that YOU won't
marry him unless hp falas tho -