Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-11-29
GaIts ano Skftfkts.
As BIZ FIRE.
lContinued from yesterdsy. }

for the boy as Harrington. and the quick
ness with which he seized every oppor-
,tunity Of giving help did not escape Ma
rian's notice, raising her esteem by the
eentlepess which softened but did not
weaken his manliness. Quiet daily in
tercourse, with its unconscious revela-
tons of character, is one of the most pow
erful agencies in creating likes and dis
likes which some occasion may call out
i'm unexpected strength. What he felt for
Marian, Harrington understood; but OF
any feeling on her part, beyond mere
friendliness. he had no evidence and less
hope.
il would have been long indeed before
he would have dared to put this to the test,
had he not been an involuntary listener to
some conversation between Marian and "a
lady who had called on her.
II shall never recognize her, of course"
was the remark he first noticed,
"Why not, pray ?" rejoined Marian.
Recognize 'er, Why, Marian Eaton
what will people think ?''
people do not always think right. !
believe that Ruth Carter is as true a wo-
man as am"
But you know this is so-everybody
knows it,
Certainly; but let him that is without
sim refuse / will not help to push any
soul down to despair, if know it,"
well. you know, Miss Eaton, such
things can't be countenanced."
1T depends. find, very much upon
who the guilty party is There are sew
eral wholly unrepentabe men who are in
society, and who are sufficiently counte-
nanced. II they can be left to their own
conscience, will society be any worse if il
applies the same law to women ~
Don't you think people ought to be-
punished who do wrong?"
IL not only think they ought to be, but
think they always are punished. There
is no broken law that does not avenge it
self But we are not its administrators
always, and are too apt to intlct the pen
atty on the penitent and impenitent alike,
without Justice or charity"
Good night, Miss Eaton" said the Wis
itor, coldly. Il don't know what would
become of society if such opinions as yours
were common"
Neither did Marian. though she failed to
see that il would be any worse; and Har-
rington listening, was satisfied that it
would be much better.
Twill you take ride with me to-day,
Miss Eaton?' Harrington asked. the
morning after he had overheard this con-
versation.
Certainly. should like full draught
OF this delicious Indian-summer day"
The grass of the meadows was sere, the
elms were brown and nearly leailess, but
many naples and dogwoods were still
brilliant-"brighte than brightest silks OF
Samarcand." In the gorges of the bill,
the autumn haze softened every line, while
over all the blue heaven looked down in
peace. 1t was not till they were return
ing, and Harrington felt that the time left
was short even for what he wished to say.
that he began TO speak of what was most
in his thoughts.
Miss Eaton, will you share secret
with me? have one-neither pleasant
or romantic. q hard everyday lact-and
should not ask you to listen To anything so
dsagreeable if | did not want you to know
me Just rs am. 1t seems to me we are
friends, and yet | may be mistaken. AT
any rate. don't want your friendship
under what you might consider, il you
knew, false pretcnces."
"Mr. Harrington. if you think can be
trusted with a secret, you pay me a com
pliment which shall try to deserve. You
prove that you wish me TO remain your
friend"
THANK you. Miss Eaton. am going
to tell you something which may interest
our friendship. but must risk that.
Il am without any near relatives AMI
was brought up by those who gave me
none of the affection which children need :;
but roughed it pretty well. and, thanks
to free schools. had enough education to
begin with as mechanic when was l6.
became machnist. and made myself
independent; but had no home. and lived
entirely in the society of workingmen like
myself Pride. or ,elf-respect, or tenn
permanent kept me from very bad habits.
| went sometimes with Il party to some
larger saloon.
1t was out of such a visit that my worst
deed came. if il was mine. A man in the
party accused me of interfering with a
girl who was nothing to me. whatever she
was to him. At last he struck me- and
in the rough quarrel that followed. wheth-
err by blow | gave, or by his fall. he was
killed was tried for his murder; but
as neither malice nor intention could be
proved. / was committed to Albany Per-
itentiary for seven years. hardly thought
my life worth much but had no one To
blame, and no one to suffer either, except
myself Good behavior. and my having
the good fortune to save a number OF
lives of number of men by discovering
that the steam-gauge of the engine was
out of prison life. and gave me the chance
to come here, n stranger. and take up
life again. | have not taken it up just
AS left it. Meaning to live alone and at
least respect myself. | have tried to open
my mind to the best that came to me.
What my life has appeared to you. that.
except for my secret, it has really been
since YOU have known me. What do YOU
think of me for acting as if belonged to
your world of purity and right.
'.'lhe real world of purity and right is
surely that in which those abide who seek
after these things. and torsake the evil If
am in that world, | cannot wish that any
one should be expelled from it who has
striven 10 enter"
Marian turned her head as she spoke ;
her voice had in it some thrill of emotion.
Their ewes met. and the doubt in his was
extinguished by the light in hers. "Nho
Sewers sins We remit they are RENTED
unto Them" In her sight, and therefore