Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-10
AUGUSTA,
NO 137.
Gales ano Skettbes.
ADRIENNE's STORY.

but there seemed no prospect thatl should
ever leave her, had come out, so 70
speak. as far as any one so repressed
could come out. but might as well have
Staid in. l only sat in corners, talked
with the chaperons or listened TO some
garrulous octogenarian.
Aunt Brownies interest in me. such aD
it was. died a natural death after my first
season--it had always been weakly-and
the result was sad deficiency in my
wardrobe. She had married of two
daughters without difficulty. but a niece.
it seemed. stuck closer than burr.
! However, it was not my fault that re-
manned unmarried. had done my best
to be fascinating. Though | hated the
idea of marrying for home or position,
vet was sure should not find it hard to
love one who was kind to me, if only on
account of the novelty. was thirty now.
and not unused to hearing changes rung
upon the old maid. and the beggers who
shouldn't be choosers. by my younger
cousins, Susctte and Anne.
But had had one opportunity TO change
tor better or worse of which they never
dreamed, The son of Aunt Brownies
second husband. Cedric Browne. had
asked me to marry him, three years be-
fore. as we rowed up the river in June for
the rosy laurel blooms 10 decorate the
house and piazzas for Susette's birthday
lete.
/ Il sometimes wondered what Aunt
Browne would have thought of the pro-
ceeding as she had set her heart on mar
rying Susette to Cedric. Perhaps re-
fused him because was taken unawares,
because was not enough interested to
| n.,~. ,~x<s
plans; perhaps | did not expect to be
taken at my word, but imagine il the
proper way TO decline. in order to be inn
portuned. I believe all my favorite hero
ines had conducted in this wise How
ever, we rowed home through the sunset,
our boat hcaped with the pink flowers, in
silence.
you look as if you were laden with
sunset clouds,'' said Susette, who was
was watching for us on the shore; but l
am certain that Cedric looked like a
thunder-cloud.
: The next day was the fetc. Everybody
brought presents for Susette. Cedric gave
her an antique necklace Of turquoises;
was sure he had meant il for me. We
had supper out doors, under the great
pine trees, and dancing by moonlight.
That day began to regard Cedric Browne
attenuvely | had known him under the
same roof for weeks at a time; l had
laughed and talked with him, believing
him forc-ortlaincd to minister to Susette's
happiness, las inaccessible as a star in
heaven so far as | was concerned. He
had helped me with Adelcs children, who
Ihad come to live at Aunt Brownies when
their mother died. But that he should
regard me with any tender emotions
had never even dared TO wish. In fact
had thought little about him till to-day.
| had never observed till to-day that his
teyes were as tender as stars. that his face
was like that radiant ceuntenance of Mo-
zart in the music-room. that his smile was
simply enchantment. II was rather late
| to make these discoveries.
He did not leave us at once; il seemed
as if he staid just long enough for me to
know all had lost. Since then he had
been with us once again for whole
month but little Walter was i'll with a
spinal affection that kerAhim on his back,
and me by his side; and though Cedric
used to relieve me often by day and. by
night. could see from my window, and
from occasional glimpses into the draw
ing-room. that the balance of time was
spent in Susette's company.
AUNT Snsettes beau is going TO make
me kte,'' Teddy confided to Walter one
day.
"Who's he?" asked Walter from hi.
bed.
"Whv. Cedric, of course-Cedrit
Browne Bridget said so herself" as II
that put the matter beyond dispute.
The next day: when Cedric came up Il
amuse Walter with the affairs down stairs
that youth demanded: II say, are yo,
realiy Aunt Susette's beau. Cedric
Arrienne's ever so nicer. When I'm /.
man shall marry Adrienne,"
Then You'll be luckier than l." sais
Cedric. winding up top, and spinning j
on his palm.
1t was a year since then. I no longe
went out; ! was fairly pdssee. Aun
Browne had abandoned all hopes of me
was a good nurserymaid, cheap gov
erness, an inexpensive companion, in tn
family. In the mean time / could hav
married any day. If had chosen to accep
the Rev. Abel Amherst and transfer m,
labors to the parsonage. To be sure, thi
would not have proved the brilliant maj
riage my aunt had expected of me, no
the romantic one had dreamed of mysel
and it was not till came into possession
: of certain family secret that began +
lrevolve in my mind. 1t seems that whel
my aunt married her second husband, Mr.
Browne-Susette and Anne were bot
Lowells-,liey had subsisted upon the pat
rimony lett to Cedric by his own mother
and that after his fathers death, Cedri
had iurncd in the same yearly income fror
the estate for the family use, and that
Adrienne Lennox, owned my daily brea,
to the man whom had refused, and VIII
had forgotten me. Earning my own livli
hood was out of the question, drudger
was my only vocation, and that was to
badly paid to be encouraging. / locke
at the Rev Able Amherst often at this pc
Rod, with view to installing him in Ce
dries place, If Cedric would only vacate
Oddly enough Mr.. Amherst renewed hi
suit at this time, and pressed it with tn
eagerness of lover, and for the firl
: time began to hesitate. 1.-The woma
who hesitates is lost,' said Susette.
had been out on the hills one day try
ing to make up my mind to forget Cedr
and marry Mr.. Amherst; but whenever
: begin to think with some interest Of goin
to parish meetings, becoming the pres