Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-24
GaIfs and Sketftts.
A CIeAR SHAVE.


81 blue. The lark, dim and wavering
speck in the upper air. shook out incess-
ant trills of melody, and the brook warbled
tuneful answer to his wordless song.
The scene, lovely in itself, had gained. at
he moment we behold it, the completing
touch which artists call "a human inter-
est.n without which few scenes are worth
painters while to copy, or story
ler's while to write about. Round the
corner of the lane came two figures
well-set-up, handsome youth Of five and
twenty, and girl of II or so. The girl.
= became the heroine of love story,
vas pretty, and borrowed an additional
charm from the chastened smile Of humor
which lurked in the eyes which shot an
occasional glance at her companion. who
seemed perturbed in spirit. and plucked
It his mustache with nervous hand.
II thought you had something to say. !"
SAID the young lady. demurely.
$50 have" answered the young man,
sI'm going away"
''For long?"
II don't know yet. It may be only a
day or two; it may be month or even
more"
The smile faded from the girls eyes.
and left them grave. and her lips quiAered
little. By some keen feminine instinct,
incomprehensible to US Of the other sex,
she knew that her companions glance
was turned on her. although her own had
dropped to the dusty road.
ats too bad. Mr.. Eyton,' she said.
petulantly. when you had promised
for the twenty-fourth, and the rehearsals
were going on SO nicely! 1t will spoil
everything"
"You don't suppose l want to go''
asked the young man.
you are going" said the girl. Its
too bad. Who is going to play the Mar
quis, II you aren't back in timee"
There are plenty Of fellows to pick
FROM" answered her companion. Try
Tom Courtenay," he suggested, with the
air of one who launches q conversational
shaft of unusual point.
why are you going" inquired the
young lady with sudden assumption of
ease.
The young mans face, which had
frightened little. clouded again.
II got letter this morning from West,
my uncle's lawyer" He took the letter
from his pocket as he spoke, but restored
it again. unopened. my uncle is very
i'll 80 Ill. West says, that he can't last
much longer; so i'll that he could not
write himself. He wants me to go and
see him."
II am very sorry" said the girl. "Oi
course, you must 60"
YES" he answered. ~ must 60"
1T was very thoughtful of you 10 re-
member the theatricals at all at such time,
and to give me warning. I'm sorry was
500 cross shout it. 1t must be very sad
to lose anyone you love-"
I'm afraid I am not so sorry for that as
ought to be, answered the young fellow.
West says" he made motion OF
his hand toward his pocket, but withdrew
it again. "West says that the will is in
my favor. You see"
He stopped short. at the sudden look OF
panied amazement on the girls face.
mo, didn't mean that he broke out.
NELLY. don't 60 away. Stay! You
cant think me such cad as to be glad Of
aman's death because it brings me money!
Hang the money! Can't you guess why
I'm glad'"
The girls eyes dropped again. and she
stood trembling. Mr.. Eyton bit his lips
with vexation, and made two distinct at
tempts to speak with no comprehensive
result. The girl was the first to recover
herself.
"Will you kindly explain P" she asked
trife icily. though her cheeks were burn
ing, and her eyes less steady than she
wished to make them.
IL don't know where to begin" said
the young man.
Begin" responded the young lady
lucidly. '.at the beginning"
II will" he said with an aspect OF des
perate determination. IL love YOU.
should never have had the cheek to tell
you so II l hadn't got this letter. But
now can offer you such a life as you have
q right to expect. Icouldnt go away in
uncertainty. have really been trying to
feel sorry for poor old uncle all day. and
couldn't think of anything but you. I've
thought Of nothing else for-for ages,
since met you first. It's ungrateful.
perhaps--in fact, I'm sure it is-but
can't help feeling glad that have the
right to speak"
The girls iciness melted before this
sudden warmth, and face and neck and
ears were rosy red.
..lf you say Yes shall be sorry
said the young man.
There Is certain class of philosophers
which declares that the female sex is void
OF humor. If that doctrine be true OF
women in general. Miss Helen Boswell
must be taken as an exception.
Then think had better say No D"
she said, in answer to the young mans
remarkable declaration.
Young men in love are VIGOROUSLY stu
pid. but even Mr. Eyton. who was as much
In love rs any young man in the British
Islands. penetrated the meaning of this
utterance.
..Say Yes" he answered. boldly pos
sessing himself Of her passive hand. She
made feeble motion to withdraw 1t.
whereat he passed his arm about her
waist and took the other. She raised her
eyes in one swift glance at his face. and
dropped them again. The pressure Of the
arm about her frightened. as he renewed
his bidding. and her lips moved ''Yes. "
although no sound was audible. even to
her lovers ears. Whereat his boldness
overrAn all restraint, and, overcoming the
slightest possible resistance, he drew the
lips to his and kissed them.
why do men fall in love?" inquired
Miss Boswell some half hour later, with an
air of philosophical research.
Judging from my own case" an
swered Mr.. Eyton. because they can't
helm it0