Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-22
Cabs ano Sketfbes.
MABEL.
Confined from Yesterday. }

asked one night as she came in from a
walk with Roy. locking pale and tired.
do YOU love him very dearly"
'.Of course do. EIlinor; why do you
ask? No one could help loving Roy, he
is 20 good -he replied. but | thought
there was Just an intonation of WEAKNESS
in her voice. However, | was so happy
ia nv own love, that could not imagine
any one else not being equally so.
| loved Ernest Gray with all my soul.
He fitted the very Utmost groove of my
nature. | ,ympathized with every emo
ton he expressed believe with all my
heart that in all Gods earth he was the
one man | could best love.
| The summer wore away. and winter was
coming
WRAPPED in b IL mantle Of GLOOM
I when I one day noticed Queenie looked
! ill., She had grown quieter since her en-
gagement to Roy. | thought it the natural
! sequence of calm, settled, perfect con-
tent. and did not pass any remarks on it.
But in the chilly winter evenings, when
/ Row and Ernest left us-for they spent
manv evenings at the Rosary-instead of
happiness there was often WEAKNESS a.
mounting to pain in her face.
! Darling. are you III are you unhappy?
/ | asked again add again. Does anything
in the world trouble you?' But the answer
was invariable. NO. Ellinor. thanks; |
am quite well and happy
She was to be married in spring. with
/ the very first violets.'' Roy declared and
after the merry Christmas time bad come
and gone, told our dear old DIR. King.
who had attended my mother and father,
of my fears about Queenie. "She coughs
sometimes, doctor. and seems to have lost
all her life and spirits. am quite anxious
about her.
Let her 90 to Italy for her honeymoon"
he said This has been irving winter.
AMI Nab is only dollhouse blossom; but
there is no consumption in the family.
Miss Valnay, none at all
Somewhat treasured watched, and
hoped tor the best; but as the day drew
near | saw with sorrow that she grew
worse instead of better. There was some
thing troubled my child ! knew. and oh.
how | wished for Harold to consult with !!
feared. with a strange nervous sensation,
to mention the matter 10 Roy. 1t would
kill him, | thought.if anything happens to
her; he loves her so. In his great devo-
ton he was blind to the change | saw in
her. He loved her so madly. and she was
always so gentle and tender TO him, never
impatient. never fretful. that he could see
nothing to complain of.
WAS too much troubled about my sis
ter to observe that the visits of Ernest
Gray were less frequent than they used to
be- there was no definite time fixed
for our marriage. 1t would be time enough
to think of that when the hustle and con-
fusion of Mab's was all over. One even
ing he called. while | was lying half
asleep on couch in the back drawing
room: lueenie sat reading in the front
room. But though the foldihg doors were
open. Ernest did not see me, and my sis
ter scarcely seemed to remember | was
there.
Mabel, my darling. my darling" he
said-I heard every word distinctly-''I
can't stand this any longer; it's killing
you. and killing me. Let me tell Ellinor.
Believe me. it is by far the best thing to
do"
mo, no. no. Ernest, you must not Oh.
why do Won speak to me like this ? it is
cruel -
ADO You mean to say you intend to
marry Roy Gilbert in few weeks, loving
me as You know you do ?" he asked fierce
ly. "Do Won suppose am going to swear
before Gods altar to love Ellinor Valnay.
when every fibre of my nature thrills
with love for YOU, Mabel? | can't do it {.
You may marry Roy if you will, but I'll
spare your sister,
But she loves YOU, Ernest, and Rov
loves me-"
'.She will hate me soon,'' he muttered.
''for I'll tell her this very night, Mabel,
must go--leave this place forever; will
You come with mep you love me, little
one. and God best knows how | love you.
They will forgive you, darling, and I'll
bear all the blame gladly. o child. 1
would die inch by inch. | would keep dy-
ing lifetime. to make you happy"
What happened after that 1 cannot
clearly remember. have hazy idea of
entering the room suddenly, and my sis
ter fainting in my arms; also seem to
recollect very dimly Ernest's wild passion
ate craving for pardon, and his terrible
agony ut seeing Nab white and still as
death in my arms.
The next day felt calmer. and sent
for Roy Gilbert told him all from first
to last, not sparing single particular :;
why should l? Who spared me? 1t is
close on thirty years age. but ] have not
forgotten the look of dull blank misery
that crept into his face as he began to re-
alize the fact that Mabel did not love him,
and was not going to be his wife. He is
white haired man now. but the sorrow
of that day has never left his eyes.
OF course l released Ernest Gray from
his engagement, and Roy wrote to Mabel
such good kind letter. telling her he did
not blame her in the least. and saving he
would pray always for her happiness
She married Ernest. and they went
abroad. But neither the tenderest love of
her husband nor the warm air and soft
skies of sunny Italy could bring peace to
the heart of my darling sister. She died
of pure. simple remorse for all the sorrow
she had brought on me and Roy Gilbert.
4 white marble cross with the simple
English inscription.
MABEL vALNAr GRAY,
Aged 49,"
stands in a quiet Florentine churchyard /;
for my beautiful Queenie entered on the
better rest before she had been six months
married.
OF my own feelings | have not said
much there is a pain too deep for words,
and that main is mine The vears rassod