Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-12
Confined from first page. )

Continued from hrst page.
that came TO me first The rusty alpacas,
the fret of daily teaching, and the strug-
lie with the kindling-wood.
Later came the consciousness OF the
World this would open to me, and should
have exulted nightly only for the one loss
which could never be made up to me; the
loss for which no late restitution could
atone.
took possession. moved my old fee
BILE mother away from the plain little house,
and gave her the brightest. sunniest room
in the grand mansion. | beautified anC
adorned the grounds As | chose but in the
house | made few changes, save 10 bring
the books and pictures according to my
taste and needs.
spent money in a fashion that made my
LAWYERS open their eyes in establishment
was in fair way To find my way back tC
that which was said to be the normal con
dition of the De Ruvter's.
| should in time have done that, for you
know that my palm was not shaped for
holding gold hut for a strange, strange
thing that happened.
Ii was Juue again. stood on the porch,
enjoying, in every nerve and fibre of my
being. the marvellous beauty of IA perfect
morning There was no flaw. That mo-
ment the world was all good. | could not
be sad with such IA sky above my head.
Looking down the gravel walk, | saw
Robert Tremaine.
He walked slowly. looking one side and
then another, evidently admiring, but not
quite understanding the changes he saw.
| stood like one stricken dumb. In my
moments of deepest emotion | had never
the gift of words.
Now, through all my surprise, my abso-
lutte bewilderment, rose the one glad
thought. "lle has come back to me.
whether in the flesh or the spirit | did not
yet know.
But they We're warm, living hands that
took mine, and sweet, human kisses that
fell upon my lips and cheeks and brow.
''llas the sea given up it, dead, Robert o.
] asked.
Not that I've heard of. dear. Certain
ly it has not given me up, for it never had
me.
But we were not drowned? Did YOU
not sail in the Sea Bird, and was she not
lost ?''
''Do look As if | had come from some
sea cavern? Is there any seaweed or cor
al clinging to me No. dear | did not
sail in the Sea Bird, for ut the last moment
| changed my mind. But Margaret, may
| ask how you came to be here? And
what is the meaning of all the changes
see? Where is my father"
20, Robert, don't You know ?"
Il know nothing. Tell me quick
please"
pointed to where in the distance, the
W
CLEANED with a cruel clearness through the
trees.
ale is dead They are all dead.
you up, and he left this all to me but YOU
shall have your own again, all your own
Surely, will have my own" he said.
lie had not sailed lis he had planned to
do. and had written to say so, but the let
ter miscarried. lie had heard nothing
from home. and the longing to see his
dear ones had at last been too strong for
him and he had come
told him the story of the years that had
gone, of my ambitions and successes. of
my longings and heartaches. and said:
Il took what Your father gave me. think
ing ii was right You are the rightful
owner: now | will give it back to YOU:
ana the mule house
Margaret" he said Il suppose could
take all this from YOU. am the rightful
heir but if did, it would be only to Law
it out at your feet and beg you to take it,
with the slight remembrance of myself"
''Oh, Robert, it is yours as much rs it
ever was
Yes, and it is yours more than il ever
was, for all mine is thine and thine is
NINE
We did not call in the lawyers to settle
the matter for us, but left it to loves wise
arbitrament.
That was many years ago. The dreams
of my youth have been fulfilled. am
rich woman-rich in the worlds wealth,
but richer far in the love which beatifies
and gloriiies my life; in that which takes
hold upon Immortality, for all the wears |
say to myself, My beloved is mine, and |
am his.