Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-28
Gales artb Skettbfs.
ny LEILA EGBERT.

She had lived for fifteen years a solitary
life, and prided herself for decade and
a half on being Independent Of and indif-
ferent to the rest Of the great human fam
ily, and now she grew suddely weary Of
her self-imposed solitude.
It might be that everybody about her
was so busy and busting and happy, or it
might be from many other reasons; but
whatever the cause, the fact remains that,
on a certa' morning in November, Miss
Finch awoke to the knowledge that her
condition was not be envied.
In vain she tried to argue herself back
into her old self satisfaction.
Il was Just rs true now as it was yester-
,Iay that her brother James had married
Sarah Jones-a girl she thought she had
good reason to hate; but. somehow, there
was no pleasure to be gained by compar
ing their poverty with her riches.
She tried to WOO back her old content by
thinking of the seven little Finches who
could be 50 well dressed. so well-educated,
and so. altogether comfortable with her
money, and who should never get a penny
of it.
But this, contrary to all past experience,
only had the effect Of making her more
uncomfortable than before.
She tried to picture the "Old Woman's
home" she was going to endow; but the
great massive piece of architecture brought
with 1t no consolation whatever.
1t always made Miss Finch's face burn
to think Of Captain Abel Jones-first cousin
tn her obnoxious sister-in-law.
Years ago, when she was IN her teens,
they had been lovers, and everybody knew
that. as soon as he got his ship, Abel Jones
and Jenny Finch were TO be man and wife :
bnt one evening she ran over TO Sarah :
(they had once been bosom friends). and
hearing voices in the parlor, had stopped
moment to discover who was there.
In that moment she had seen Sarah.
crying as if her heart would break, with
her head on Mr.. Abel'5 shoulder.
Quite ignoring the fact that these two
had been brought up together. and that
Abel had time and again told her that
Sarah was just the same TO him as dear
sister, Miss Finch grew righteously indig-
nant yet she was just-yery Just indeed
she would not Judge them on this evidence,
although to almost any one il would have
been proof enough of very disagreeable
fact but she would wait, and see how their
conversation accorded with their position.
So she waited.
Don't cry said Mr. Abel Jones.
pleadingly. II am sure | can make it all
right. She isn't nearly so fond of me rs
You think and you know, Sarah. how
dear you are to her. I'll break it to her
gently, and I'm sure shell give me up OF
her own accord"
Now, Miss Finch hadn't a jealous ma
tnre, not at all . but the most unsuspicious
idiot in the universe couldn't have mis-
understood that speech.
Il was very evident he wanted to be
free from fer
So she stole gently out, without letting
them know of her presence. walked home
ut railroad speed. and with very proper
sclfrespect, Immediately tied up his pic
turc. his few presents and his fewer let
tiers. and sent them back to him with the
pretty falsehood that she found she didn't
like him well enough to marry him, and
should be obliged if he would release her
from the engagement.
She didn't propose to be Tilted by him
and she wasn't.
Then she went off on u visit. stayed two
months. and came home to find her broth
er James engaged to her false friend
and her false lover nowhere.
In vain she endcsvored to prevent this
marriage. Her brother would not he
convinced. without absolute proof. that
Sarah Jones was not u perfect woman.
She begged. pleaded and urged.
But pride prevented her giving him the
one fact Of which she had become pos
sessed. and SO the two were married. and
she took her fortune (left her by her ia
theirs only sister,. and herself to another
town. gradually Withdrew herself more
and more from the world. until. At twenty
six she was confirmed misanthrope. see
ing no one.
This sort of existence she had kept up
until the time our story opens.
Why Sarah Jones married James Finch.
aud why Abel Jones was still bachelor
>ea-captain, We're mysteries she did not
trouble herself tn explain. Sure OF their
trcachery. what mattered il to her how
they spent their lives?
To-day Miss Finch. in thinking over the
past, acknowledged To herself for the first
time tina, she might have been hasty-not
so far rs the stalwsrt sailor was con-
,.erned, but about her brother.
II don't suppose | ought Ia have en-
pected him to give uphis sweetheart with
out any reason she thought Il wouldn'
have done it myself believe III send
them good dinner. From all | can
hear. they amt able to Ito much in that
line for themselves
And with sudden twingc al conscience.
the more from being unusual. Miss Finch
hurried on her bonnet aud shawl, and
started off to market.
Oh. the marvellous purchase she made
I'm give 'em dinner that will last the
winter" she said grimly; and then all OF
sudden she felt a great desire to partakc
of the good things she had generously
provided.
"l've a good mind 10 60 down and cal
dinner with EN-. don't know As I'll bc
welcome. but they cant do no more than
shut the door in my face. ! believe III
try it anyhow. James and l are the only
ones left. and don't think it is right that
we should live any longer in this way,
According to all accounts. Sarah's been i
good wife to him"
And SO that night Miss Finch started of
for visit to her brother.
Captain Abel Jones had just returned
from n voyage to the Indies. and as was
his custom. repaired Immediately to tn,
home of his cousin. there to remain unit