Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-09-12
GaIes ano Sketfkes.
4 GHOST sreRT.

ssTry not to be lonely without me, darl-
ing. and make yourself as happy as posi-
BE here with my sisters" said my hus-
! band a. he held me to his heart and press
ed the last kiss on my brow.
tried to be brave and smile through
the tears that were fast binding me, as
chung to him for the last time, but it was
dismal failure, and made the parting all
the harder for him.
At length had let him go and settled
down to long cry, hoping to feel better
alter giving way to my feelings.
Ihad been married only one short month.
and Twas not TO see my husband for
whole. long. weary year How should
ever live through it?" thought, as |
glanced at the clock and discovered he
had been gone 20 minutes.
George was a naval officer, and had
been ordered away ON three years. cruise
In the Mediterranean, but in one year he
expected to be where l could join him.
To insure my comfort and happiness Gas
he thought) before he sailed he brought
me to his old home, where was to pass
the year we had to be apart.
Il was a large, old-fashioned house, in
which the family had lived for two genera
tons, and to George it was full of the
memories of his childhood and of late
years but to me its large rooms. with
their massive old furniture and its endless
array of family portraits, seemed rather
suggestive Of ghcstliness. His two sisters
both maiden ladies over 50-who re-
garded George more in the light of son
than brorher. were the kindest and best
of women, knew, but they were so very
snk nI utat ix,f thar that /
felt convinced they looked upon my grief
at parting from their brother as a great
weakness, and so retired to shed my re-
naming tears in the privacy Of my own
room.
How absurd life isl said to myself.
as tried in vain to dry the still falling
tears "a year ago had never seen
George Spencer, and now | am breaking
that space of time"
was only twenty. and had scarcely
been year out of school, when was in
trodnced to Captain Spencer at a large
naval party given in San Francisco. my
native city.
acknowledge to being quite captivated
that evening. His naval uniform showed
Of his fine figure. and his handsome face
won my girlish admiration. I was very
fattered by his attention, and as grew to
know him and appreciate his noble nature
/ did not find il difficult task to give him
all my hearts deepest love when he sued
for it.
Those were happy days to us both.
Suddenly George received word that in
three months he would be ordered to the
Mediterranean don't know Just how
it all happened. remember feeling fear
fully depressed at the prospect of leaving
my family, and at the same time excitedly
happy over my coming marriage. At all
events we were married, and | spent
blissful month travelling with my husband
and enjoyed sights as never imagined
they could be enjoyed, and then | had TO
let him go.
am afraid | had some very bitter
thoughts regarding the navy, and devout-
" wished that the Spencer family had not,
rs Miss Maria remarked. distinguished
themselves among its body of officers"
George had said | was sure te be happy
with his sisters in the old homestead, but
at this moment could see nothing before
me but utter and hopeless misery. was
convinced that some terrible fate awaited
my beloved husband, he would be drowned
take some deadly disease and die in for
eign land. alone and uncared for. had
just got to the point of feeling that there
was nothing before me but the miserable
lot Of widowhood, when a gentle tap at
the door reused me, and making an effort
TO dry my eyes, | rose and admitted my
new sister Maria.
She was very quiet in appearance and
vvnon nd 1npG inc ct har na1, nd
ruffled face. | felt she could never be
guilty of the weakness of an emotion.
She looked slightly surprised at my red
kind. gentle voice:
"You look as though you had head
ache. my dear. l am afraid you have not
recovered from the fatigue OF your jour-
ney. would have been up before, but
fancied you were having a nice comforta-
BILE rest, and then have been quite little
disturbed over the illness Of our pet.
Nina is not very strong. She is growing
old, and Louise and are obliged to take
the greatest care of her."
At that moment my feelings toward my
husbands sister were anything but tender.
Nina was their cat. and what cared for
the physical condition of that wretched
uutiuai WIFI MY HtdIt was toTtl aSuuueF
from parting with my best and dearest ?
II don't believe they love their brother a
particle" said to myself. 1.-The idea of
being aware of the existence Of Il cat on
the day that cruel order takes George to
the Mediterranean.
But stately Miss Maria went on uncon-
scious of my thoughts. '.Dick. our parrot
has fallen into most disgraceful habit OF
using profane language. Where he
learned the dreadful words Louise and
are at loss to discover; but after ma
ture consideration we have concluded to
break him OF 1t before it becomes to Deep
~ rooted. and so far the past few days we
have given him our undivided attention,
and in that way Nina has been neglected,
and to my CONSERVATION find to-day she
is quite ill l am conscience-stricken
when l think of my carelessness; but
Dicks case was duty we could not neg
lect for day. Jane is an excellent SER
want, and has been with us many years.
but she has of late been quite negligent
in her care for Mina's comfort. George
= g. IN