Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-09
GALES ano Skattbes.
LADY ADELA.
Continued from Yesterday. !

herOlcally, had lost his life IN the rapid.
o. some scarcely-known river. II was
rnmored that Ne had rescued several OF
his companions. and had then sunk from
exhaustion. There was list OF all his do
ings and discoveries there were deep re-
9rets at the early death Of this brave clever
distinguished young man.
HE was worth something, after all, -
Lady Adela said to herself .'Seven years,
poor fellow, / wonder if he ever thought
of coming back"
Miss Shafto had long left the village.
and Mrs. Sackvflle had that afternoon
written her letter Of coincidence in which
she added her niece's sympathy to her
own. That was all there could be moth
ing more and most likely nothing certain
would ever be known about the explorers
death Lady Adela thought about it a
great deal, a. she sat by the fire.
1t was nearly dinner time but Mrs.
Sackville. not being very well that day
had stayed in her room, and Adela was
looking forward to solitary evening 1t
was not nice to be alone. She reflected.
with some CONSERVATION. that her aunt
could not live forever: and then came into
her mind, one by one the men she had re-
fused First. poor Edgar Shafto. and then
Lord Elton. and all the rest. Only in one
instance did she now feel that she might
have acted differently; and this was per
verse sentimental fancy. Now that all her
attractions were powerless to bring him
back to her any more, she felt as if she
had always cared for him.
A sound of wheels outside. and a bell
ringing loudly reused her from her dreams
Who could be arriving 50 late. and in this
4. IL,
butler was bringing in a card.
The gentleman is in the hall, nv lady.
! was TO ask if YOU would see him
Lady Adela bent down, holding the card
in the freight
1T can't be-" she said after a moment.
Il think there must be some mistake. But
ask Mr.. Shafto to come in
The butler looked grave and puzzled.
He was an old servant, and one of his
MISTRESS most careful guardians.
lit is not the Mr.. Shaito who used to
come here, my lady he said.
"No. They say he is dead Ask him to
come in, said Lady Adela absently.
The visitor came in. She got up, and
for a moment they stood looking at each
other. It was Edgar, of course, but ter
ribly changed. Lady Adela at first
lHbu1 LHtl Hf llsiii bfNbiiif HliltbuS. All
his superficial good looks. his figure, his
complexion. seemed to have been left be
hind in the dreadful swamps and deserts
through which he had fought his way
Her smart young lover, with his lazy,
Indifferent. deceptive manners, had come
back to her Il worn, hardened. slouching,
mddle-aged man. with dark burnt skin.
hollow eyes. hair more than touched with
nd I,.l Of -. 81
ness, which yet had Il certain calm, rs if
the man knew that all his difficulties
were only met to be overcome.
Adela gave him her hand He took it
and kissed it. and then she began to real
i've who he was, for at first it seemed rs
il this wild looking traveller was quite
strange to her.
Forgive me" he said II have
thought about it SO often, never hoping 10
have it again
gently.
lie obcyed, leaning forward and look
ing at her. She took her place again
where she had been sitting. with the
kitten in her lap. The white cloak had
slipped oil her shoulders; she looked
very young and chidlike. quite rs pretty
T
II seemed rs if she surely could not snub
him now.
4 feeling of intense. longing tenderness
filled Edgar's eyes with tears. This was
not the madness that had seized him LONG
ago; it was something deeper stronger.
more patient. Actually to see. To be near
her again. the girl, who. since he first
saw her. had never even been in danger
nf riyul-th :,
almost too solemn.
Lady Adela felt the change in him and
had already begun to he proud of it. and
To think there was something very fine
and noble in her old friends look and
manner. He had gone away weak. and
come back strong. A man like this would
never suggest shooting himself. ii he was
disappointed again. But Adela already
knew that he would not be disappointed
If he really meant-then she was sud
denly shocked at herself aud looking
bravely ut him she said. Il am 81 verv
much surprised. saw report in the
Times to-day"
"Of my death you mean. No. am
not dead yet. got to London this morn
ing and saw my aunt-iound her actually
reading that bit of romance"
WAS none of it true -
ut was a good deal colored.'' said Ed
gar; and then. rs she smiled at him. his
face sottened into sort of unbelieving
gladness. What blessed country Eng
land is Nothing changes except To
grow better and kinder. and more
beautiful. Seven years in Africa makes
one very patriotic. can assure YOU And
very frightful. too, am afraid YOU will
say. How is Mrs. Sackville?"
'She is not very well. thank YOU"
And you have been here all the time ?
oh. no. A good deal though. for am
fond of the place
II remember every flower that used to
grow in those long borders | suppose
they are just the same
Not now" said Adela with a little
smile. You would find the garden very
desolate now"
The first shade of constraint between
them had passed away. They went ON
talking about the old days. the dogs. the
pony. Miss Shafto. the flowers. and the
little events of that September fortnight.
and they seemed to forget by mutual con.
sent the tragical ending of it. She tried
to ask one or two questions about Africa.
but he would not give much answer TO