Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-11
NO. 81.
Gales ano Skettbes.
HOW MY FORTUNE CAME.


II really can say. We been working
at starvation wages, trying to keep the
wolf from the door. The rest of the time
I've read and dreamed and on days like
these I've sat in the sun. and, we'll, yes,
do think I've grown some. though in
wayward sort Of fashion,
II certainly think YOU have. Now we
have the summer before US, and summers
are snort, so short but so sweet. Let us
enjoy it. Eve brought home curosties
from many foreign shore and want you
to see them Eve ever so many new
books and want you to read them Wen
read them together, and
Robert, my son. 1t was an exceed
ingly well-brcd voice. but it woke me
from my little dream. ''Oh, here YOU are.
have been looking for you. And this
lady is
Miss Margaret De Ruyter, mother.
Our neighbor, you know
II do not know my neighbors as ought
perhaps. So have not the pleasure of Miss
DE Ruyter's acquaintance. But my i'll
health is my excuse | have not wake d
so far as this in many months Now. if
you will excuse us, will ask YOU to 90
7 to the house with me-"
Ii was smoothly said. and. so far as tie
Il
knew when Mrs Tremaine took her sons
arm and walked away. that she mentally
resolved that the pleasant plan she had
overheard would, if she had the power,
he frustrated.
But She had not the power.
The summer was like no other summer
the world has ever known.s
Never was June so sweet never, no
never, were mornings so rosy and radiant,
never were twilights so tender. The light
THAT never was on sea or land'' enveloped
me. And | walked in it not alone, for the
glamour and the beauty came to me
through Robert who had grown to be so
dear, so perilously dear
The birds that sung. the flowers that
bloomed, all the clouds that fioated in that
summer sky. the hillsides and the green
growing things, were lighted and gided
and glorified by the light that shown from
two brown eyes.
knew that was a captive, but found
captivity so sweet-nay, it was the free
dom wherewith love makes free.
remember one day in particular, and
| refer to it, not because it was
an exceptionally happy one, but because
1t was the type of many others. We
had left our little village for morning
walk together. We took the way towards
the great woods that for miles and miles
covered the hills about us. Robert was as
great an enthusiast as myself in regard to
wild flowers, and searched for the newest
of them for me in the secluded hooks, and
actually found at last a blue gentian. He
helped me over steep places, climbed al
most inaccessible rocks for me, and loaded
himself down with ferns and grasses
Once he found a white rose, the last of
the season, and gave it to me with look
that | remember even to this day. All!
happy, happy time.
But the summer and our happiness had
to end. Judge Tremaine and his wife had
OTHER plans for their son. Margaret DE
Ruytcr was a most estimable person, but
she was poor. Prof. De Ruyter had been
very fine man. a profound scholar,
thorough gentleman, but man who never
had the second good suit to his back, !,
man who preferred spending his money OH
what he called rare old books, to doing
and living like other people. And Mar
garct herself was odd Not much like
other folks, and no match for Robert, who,
rich, elegant and cultured, could find many
a woman better fitted to be his wife. SO
they said, and it all came to me.
And it was true. knew it to be so.
And ut the close of IA beautiful day, when
Rob came up the little walk to my door, |
had made up my mind.
remember that dav so well. 1t is
bitter thing To stand face to face with
duty, which acknowledged and Welded to.
will cover your life with darkness. but
which. set aside. would bring to your own
soul sense of humiliation and contempt
not less hard to bear.
And made up my mind.
There is no use in urging me, Robert,
said. "God knows love you for your
love, for your willingness to throw away
your inheritance for my sake. But will
permit no such sacrifice.''
at is no sacrifice
''Ies, it is. You have not the knowl-
edge that have. You do not know aught
of prvation or trial. Love in u cottage,
with all the modern improvements, looks
fair to you; but fear that
Love in Il cottage, with water and crust,
ls-love forgive me-water ashes, dust
If We're alone would 90 with you I'M
hesitatingly; but | will not burden you
with the aged mother who is my sacred
charge. Oh my darling, try to understand
that it is for your own dear sake put away
all the beauty and loveliness of life. Go
go before pity myself INTO repenting
my decision. Some day you will thank
me that did not spare myself and you
this bitterness"
He answered Il would leave father
and mother, houses and lands, tor your
sake; but since You will not permit that,
will do what is harder Twill leave YOU
for your sake, not for mine
oh the bitter, weary days and weeks
that followed. lie went away. | did not
know where, but after time heard that
he had gone back to Germany. He had
been educated there, and had spent so
many years there that it seemed like home
to him-more like home to him. knew,
than the fathers house he left.
And | took up my burdens again.
never for a moment in my widest dreams
imagined that this parting was aught but
final. knew that such experiences never
repeat themselves. | had known the
height and depth of JOY and sorrow, and
looked into the future with little knowledge
as to what il could do