Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-31
NO. 179.
Gales ano Skettbes.
"PER
By Mrs. ANNIE A. PRESTON.
Continued from Yesterday J

Us II possible exclaimed MS mother.
settling her irizzes and finger putfs which
the fresh breeze had slightly disarranged.
what was her namea l never saw her.
but remember of hearing her spoken of
in the matter of settling yourpoor fathers
estate, rs Il faithful creature"
Il should think So" interrupted the
Young man; "She saved the estate from
bankruptcy, and yeur daughters from go,
ing ont into the world in some capacity TO
earn their own living, as she did when her
father died insolvent. leaving her without
relatives
Mrs. Bronson ignored the point and
went on in exactly the same key rs be-
fore. ut is very unfortunate. What will
you do, my son?'
Il have already hired a young man to
fill the vacancy
Ten years." said Adelaide the Oldest
sister. 'she has fairly grown gray in our
service"
"Do You mean that white. faced girl in
No. -" asked Sarah. and Marie, who
was swinging in the same airy couch rs
the second sister. added. Il never noticed
anything about her."
his mother. land heard YOU up in the
|
did il happen ?"
| YESTERDAY"
| Suddenly ?''
Very" And the young man dismissed
the subject by turning upon his side, cross
ing his elbow under one ear and reaching
his long, slim fingers around the back of
his head and covering the other ear with
| the tips of them; an old boyish habit of
his when he wished 10 shut out the tire
| some chat of his mother and sisters. They
exchanged glanccs and smiles and let him
alone while he was thinking. IL didn't
say what had called her away. or where
she had gone. Am to blame that they
think she is dead P"
Mr. Bronson took it upon himself all
through the late summer and early au-
tumn to open the mail. As usual. there
were plenty of business letters from Stur-
tevant 4 Co., but none per c." After
time he ventured an enquiry in post
script. and received in reply: per c.
is recruiting
After that the morning mail was left for
the new clerk, who, happily, was all that
had been represented. Yet Mr.. Bronson
found an unwonted wearisomeness about
the business that seemed to him would
wear his very life out. Night after night
he lay in his luxurious room at the st.
Nicholas, for he had entirely given up go
ing up the Hudson pow, and dreamed that
he climbed the long. hard stairs up to No.
6 with light, hopeful step, and sitting
down by his desk, looked up over the bi-
sected back to meet the soft, blue, faith
full ewes that had never failed him; and
then the far face and smooth brown hair
turned into a white lily, or rose. or frost
flower, or snow wreath, and faded away.
ALWAYS into some emblem of purity,
and fifty, too he cried one night. when
these dream pictures continually haunted
and deluded him, leaving him in an agony
of remorseful sorrow. "What am to do?
The old times can never RETURN
Ripe summer wore into autumn. and as
the golden days grew gray and chill, Mrs.
Bronson and her daughters returned to
the thoroughly renovated family mansion
on Murray Hill. The four women were
all shocked at the pale face and languid
air of the son and brother.
''He must have change. He must go
journey. Either one or all OF the sis
ters would accompany and take care of
him." But he refused TO entertain their
offer. and would ''look out for HIMSELF"
he said, should he decide upon any place
to go.
Passing through No. the next morn
ing to his place in his own curtained niche,
he chanced to glance over Mr.. Walkers
shoulder, and caught sight of an order
from Sturtevant & Co.. IN "Per G. So well
known. clear-cut characters.
He took the bill and studied IL from the
Chicago. Oct. Is, to the "Per c." in
the lower right hand corner.
The blood danced through his veins, his
heart tlirobbcd with an exultant joy, his
very fingers tingled. He was stimulated
out of his langor as he had sometimes
been by the freshenng breeze when sail
ing down the harbor on sutry morning
or By finding himself in cool, woodland
dell, surrounded by the aromatic fragrance
of wild azalias after brisk, warm walk
81 have decided to start on the 8 r. NJ
express for Chicago he announced, to
the surprise of the household, after he had
already surprised them by appearing at
lunch, which they were enjoying with
two or three Of their lady friends.
After a rapid journey for person in
pursuit of rest and enjoyment, he found
himself on clear, crisp October morning
! in the vestibule of the business quarters
| of Sturtevant IL Co.
''Mr. Sturtevant? One flight, No. /, to
the left
The young New Workers. heart beat as
it had never before beaten at anticipation
in any form. He thought, 81 shall see her
in her plain, gray dress. with her smooth
brown hair, white cheeks and her thin,
plant hands busy over the morning mail.
How her shy, blue eyes will light up ut
sight of me. don't know what shall
say. OF course, shall go through all
the proper conventionalities. All me"'
He reached the door. His hand trem-
bled on the knob. Just then it was
turned from within, and he stood face to
face with Mr.. Sturtevant.
| why, Bronson, my man; glad to see
you. Been i'll ? You look like the ghost
Of your former self.' But his quick eye
did not lose his visitors rapid glance
about the Office. nor the change OF coun-
tenance when the accountants desk was
seen to be vacant; but he made him say,
after little commonplace talk, making