Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-01-24
Gales ano Sketfbts.
ROMANCE Of 4 new lEAR's GIFT.
By WALTER EDGAR N'cASS.
cnArrER I.
THE DISCOVERY.


lady now. and. being siudious and soli-
tary man, he had rather a horror Of young
ladies and theories about them. founded
rather upon his prejudices than expert.
ence.
Two minutes more Of this panic, as he
stood ON the piazza. and I think he would
have ended by running away but his temp
tzffon was cut short BY the opening Of the
door and the appearance Of the fat color
ed butler 10 white waistcoat.
William was recognized grayely and
shown into the dark and sumptuous par
lor. and after while in came his uncle,
and then pretty Alice herself
She was, as be had anticipated. chang
ed-he could not conceive anything more
beautiful-slight. dark-eyed and smiling.
and WITH her little hand resting for sec
ond in his he felt in sort Of dream.
.'Well, William, | suppose you don
think it looks much like the holidays,
she laughed; .'but only a few Of our
friends have come and everything Is in a
state Of chaos almost. You will stay.
Willie? You shall have your old room,
and we'll try to make it like old times"
"Of course YOU will stay, William.
must be present al the wedding"
"Wedding?" smiled William, puzzled,
inwardIy running over the list Of Alice's
friends. whose acquaintance he had also
the honor Of enjoying; but he could not
recollect any one in particular who was
likely To be the heroine of marriage.
"Alice's wedding" said Uncle Frank
ION tomorrow night
King Rufus. transfixed unexpectedly by
the arrow. may have felt in the first in
slant of agony and CONFUSION as our
modern William felt now. The others
must have perceived something Of his
sudden misery--the haggard stare and
cropping for something to hold by. A
CLEAN Of fright shot across Alice's face,
and Uncle Frank showed establishment.
But William recovered himself and said,
with laugh little hysterical
lyon surprise me, indeed. Anything
more unlikely Icould scarcely have fancied,
although. of course. with Alice's ad-
vantages'-he floundered. with crimse"
face-''it is the most natural event in the
world. / congratulate you, and-ard who
is to bc-your intended husband, !mean -
MIR. Charles Daventry."
William Gilbert nodded but the name
meant nothing for him he had never heard
of Mr.. Daventry beto,e. However. he
must be some great parsonage, Of course.
.And now - ssd Alice, IL have New
Years gift for you. Willie-grand-aunt'
desk. You told me. don't you recollect,
that if sser thought of parting with it to
give il 10 you?"
Ten minutes ago don't believe she had
xta Of f,iV inn,
but that which had happened in the inter
val had placed her cousin in light IN
which she had never known him before
indefinitely soitcned and tenderer.
The desk he had begged once or twice.
good while since. as memorial of the
old lady whom he had loved. although
she had not acted fairly by him. But
Alice would never give itup The surren-
der was, perhaps in some dim fashion to
make amends on account of Mr.. Daventry.
William expressed his thanks. not
thinking much of the desk, and after u
little more Uncle Frank suggested his 90
ing TO his room. and SO the trio broke up.
Tea followed. at which Alice did not
an impromptu rejection
got up tor Williams benefit, who had
missed his dinner. and over that domestic
he enjoyed little quiet chat
with his old friend. Mrs. Bryndle. whose
threw little clearer light
upon the general situation.
Mr.. Daventry had been sutton of Alice
for more than year. handsome gentle
man. rich. and u great match.
''He has stopped weeks at a time here
at the Naples said the old lady. in i'm
pressive low tones. He is one of them
sort that carries everything before them,
MIR. William. The wedding. as you
know. takes place to morrow night. Some
Of the folks we have invited are here now
the Clotworthys, and the Drydens, and
Mr.. ArmtaEe and his sister: and the rest
are coming tomorrow. We wished To
have it quiet as possible. but there's so
many you cant escape inviting-and-an
you know how il is, dear MIR. William"
The young man listened with close
but dismal interest
Pretty Alice--his old playfellow ne
could not realize the change about to be
and it was not surprising that he failed to
show his appreciation of Mrs. Bryndle's
admirable tea and biscuits; he was, in
fact. out Of or:s-heartsick-a although he
had arrived short time ago in such ex-
cellent health and spirits.
"And Mr.. Davcntry-when is he CON-
ingPn
This evening we expect him-every
minute. indeed"
William Gilbert. in his room. again
lighted cigar. and smoking up the Chin
ney gave way TO some melancholy reflec-
tons.
Alice, Alice,--it was hard to lose her.
He did not think he would have cared so
much. As for himself he would never
marry now; upon that point he was quite
His eye wandered to The desk. once
grand-aunt Margaret's, who had so sum-
marily cut him of in her will. for no rea-
son in the world, leaving all she had to
Alice.
1t was unjust--he felt it cruelty; still.
he had long ago forgiven the whimsical
and irritable old lady, who had. in certain
moods. shown him kindness; and now.
sitting thus before the fire. with this bat
tered memorial of the past in his hands,
he pondered bitterly upon his fate.
Suddenly he paused: the touch of his
finger had revealed \ secret drawe-, and
within il a paper;
William Gilbert sits trantixed; this doc
umcnt he discovers. As, with dilated eyes.
he reads ON, is later will of his dead
grand-aunt. annulling its predecessor and
leaving nearly everything to himself.
There is only small legacy to Alice.