Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-03
NO. 81.
Gales ano Skettbes.
THE MOCK MARRIAGE.
IY MAY MAPLE.
(Continucd from ycsterlay.) ,

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suddenly he threw down the papcr.say-
ing he had letters of Importance to write,
and went 10 his room.
Mrs. Brown. put up your work and
come down TO the parlor this evening.
Another guest arrived last evening, and
noticed he seemed quite inclined to mel
ancholy, although the ladies all did their
very best TO entertain him. | know that
ene of your gifts is 10 cheer the despon-
dent, and thus augment your own rather
than theirscanty pleasures. think he must
be a professional man. hut il don't matter.
I'm sure you will do him good" and gar
rtilous Mrs. Downing smoothed back her
silvery tressos and Strengthened the folds
of her black silk dress in u very compla-
cent manner. For ten years Mrs. DOWN.
Ing had been widow, and during those
years the yearly income left her by her
''lovely man" .hcr dear. devoted hus
band" had been greatly increased by the
well-to-do quests who found an elegant
and agreeable home beneath the; really
hospitablc roof.
On this particular evening. Mrs. Brown
had much rather have kept her room and
continued at the little writing-desk but
her hostess had been like a mother for
long. weary months, and she would not
now refuse SO small n request. So she
put away her writing material, and with
glance in the mirror, announced herself
ready TO go down TO the parlor
Not in that black robe, Mrs. Brown,
though that is nice enough TO .weWr on
most occasions, but this time ! want 10
dictate little" And she stepped to
Mrs. Browns dressing closet. and brought
out soft, white tissue. trimmed with nu-
mcrous frills and flutings. There, you
are TO wear that dress tonight"
All the time Mrs. Brown was going
through the mysteries of a fresh toilet, the
busy tongue of the amiable hostess rat
tied on. At last the soft .laces about
throat and wrists were adjusted, and deli
cate blue forget-me-nots arranged among
the fluffy curls, and the last delicate knot
of azure ribbon in place, and the usually
plain-robed Mrs. Brown looked like "a
fairy queen.
Mrs. Downing made no hesitation in
complimcnting the beautiful appearance
of her favoritc.
A murmur of pleased surprise ran
through the room where were seated in
groups some fifteen or twenty persons of
both sexes, when Mrs. Downing entered
and introduced Mrs. Brown TO the strange
guest.
Not very long after the formal Introduc-
ton Mrs. Brown found herself an eager
listener TO the pleasant voice Of Mr.. Ray
mond. 1t was not so much what he said.
as the tone and manner that interested
her. These constantly reminded her Of
another who had been her constant CON-
panion in the ''long ago" And then she
found that Mr.. Raymond's eyes had the
same dark hue and the same expression of
tender regard as had those other ones that
were. as she believed. forever closed to
her. always of him. ran the under
current OF her thoughts, as she listened
to Mr.. Raymond's incidents of travel, or
his criticisms upon various authors.
"Ahr' whispered Mrs. Downing, to
one of her guests" II know that will
make a match yet. Mr.. Raymond has
not once taken his eyes from her pretty
face since introduced him. And there's
Miss Pike as mad as wet hen because |
brought Mrs. Brown down 10 the parlors.
Poor thing she keeps herself too close
in her room. IL must be two years since
she lost her husband, and yet she keeps
out of society rs much as though she had
just put on mourning She looks bcauti
fnl tonight, there is such delicate color
in her cheek, and such brilliant light in
her eyes.
Mrs Downing was in her clcmentif there
were any matches to be made among her
friends. And more than one congenial
pair could thank the hostess Of Downing
House for their congenial felicity.
1t was very evident to the company
that Mr.. Raymond had found % cOngeni::.
companion, though he was a man who had
apparently long since passed the meridian
Of life. Though his eyes had all the fire
and sparkle of youth vet his once dark
locks were as white AS the sire's, who has
long passed the age Of three score and ten
allotted to man.
1t was rllmored that some great trouble
had prcmaturely bleacled his locks. The
tinted cheek and smooth, white forehead
still retained the appearance of man who
had not reached the prime of life.
This evening was but prophecy Of
many others equally delightful to all par
ties. Mrs. Brown always resolved that
she would not be one Of the parlor visit
ors again. But Mrs. Downing and her
guests would not hear to her remaining
in her rooms. And so she was lured on
for weeks together.
One morning in August, she found her
self feeling weary and dispirited. She had
no desire to open the little writing desk
that stood invitingly near the window,
and sewing was distasteful to her. So she
put on the dainty sun-hat and stro'led out
over the hills to the point Of woodland
that overlooked a tiny lake that lay like a
sparkling gem upon the bosom of mother
earth. Seating herself upon the broad
roots Of an old tree, she gave herself up
to her own wandering thoughts.
There was something peculiarly sooth-
ing in the soft breeze as it came across the
cool waters Of the lake, and in the gentle
murmuring Of the wavelets as they came
dashiDg in regular intervals against the.
shore. while the birds overhead twittcred
about their nests. intent upon their work. !
How she longed for the pleasures Of other
days. And the last few days had shown
how utterly alone she was. How little tho
society Of crowded halls added to her resi-
happiness. Yet she was thankful to be
appreciated in land of strangers.