Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-01-25

recollection of Uncle Franks confession
an old man now, kindly. little foolish
clinched his first purpose. and he said:
Il love her dearlv-it is hard TO give
her to another. and there is life of lone
illness and struggle before me-but it is
not selfish love"
lie leaned toward the fire, and for the
second time that night was about to con-
sign Aunt Margarets will to the flames.
For the second time he was Interrupted
by knock at the door. He arose in res
ponse, and his present visitor proved to
be one most unexpected-nonco other than
MIR. Charles Daventry.
CHAPTER III.
DEBATE AND DIVISION.
Daventry came in with his brilliant
smile-iust little insolent, perhaps.
William stood by the chair gravely,
conscious that something was about to
happen momentous and probably dis
agreeable. He felt nervous, but not at all
frightened. and said
Have this seat. Dav entry"
Thanks" returned the other, coolly
accepting the Invitation II observe you
employ my new name. Gilbert. It is
about that. in fact that |. have come to
see YOU"
Names do not matter, suppose
said William, carelessly. You explain
ed the change in yours quite satisfactorily"
Daventry's black eyes shot searching
glance at him rs he threw himself into
another chair on the opposite side of the
fire; but William was too preoccupied
with conjecture to notice the look.
That is Shakespeare's theory also,
believe" pursued Alice's betrothed,
choosing cigar from his case and offer
ing selection to Gilbert, who shook his
head. ''Well. of course you know that
my explanation was all bOsh and nom
sense ?"
William listened, and after a second
cleared his voice.
Names do not matter, unless you
make IA mistake and put somebody else's
at the foot of a commercial document.
instead of your own. That was my error,
dear Gilbert, rs you no doubt read in the
newspapers"
William, being a secluded law student
at - College, RAJ ely saw any paper but
the Flag of Liberty published in that
ancient village, and consequently had
seen HotiinE vi iHc IilttteT HIS cOInpiIllOu
thus vaguely indicated. His attention, as
NAV be supposed, was now reused con-
siderably.
cleared his voice and moved in his chair.
1T is all quite over now, and forgot
ten,' pursued Davehtry. 1T was squared
by relative of mine, and never came to
trial. Still the-the COMPOUNDED blunder
injured me at the time, and might iniure
me still. People have preiudices, and as
your uncle and cousin might have had
theirs against marriage with a man guilty
of an inadvertence in penmanship, have
thought best never to say anything about
it."
William. IA he listened to this, could
scarcely conceal his agitation.
He poked the fire vigorously and with
a great noise. But he fully realized the
importance of Daventry's laundering con-
fession. and Immediately resolved that
there should be fight now to the death.
William was a shy and timid young fell
low, as people so retired are apt to be !;
but mt the notion of sacrificing Alice to
the man beside him-a selfconfessed for
ger-his whole nature rose in abhOrrcnt
protest. ami he determined to lose his life
even rather than allow it.
"Well, Atwood" he said, as coolly as
he could. II am frank. and | confess ut
once that you have betrayed yourself in
telling me this story of your past life.
know nothing of it. But it is fortunate
for my cousin Alice. since the contemplat.
ed marriage is impossible; your wife
swear she shall never be!''
I1a fxvistsl HE nho nj
smiled supercilously but he had grown
paler under his dark skin.
= He could scarcely believe that he had
betrayed himself. His crime had made a
tremendous sensation at the time, and he
who had not heard of it. But so an evil
conscience exaggerates, and the fact was
that the sensation existed only in his ma
tive town, whose population comprised a
very Insignificant percentage of that upon
the globe. Still. it was all the same-he
had been guilty of an incredible blunder.
II don't think you can prevent it, dear
Gilbert"
II can. and will without further delay.
! shall go straight to my uncle now," and
he got up.
Stop" said Daventry, rising also, and
speaking with sort of dramatic force
You are something more than month too
late. was married to your cousin by old
Jameson. the magistrate in this village.
six weeks ago, and here is the certifi
cate"
He took paper from his pocket and
handed it to William. A glance showed
that he had told the truth-the document
was actually what he claimed it to be.
Il persuaded her into private mar
rage pursued Daventry. II feared the
slip between the cup and the lip, and, as
it turns out. my forethcught was most
Fortunate"
William dropped back into his seat
again Ilaventry. having thus played his
trump, mcvedtoward the door.
'Yoa see, nv dear fellow he said.
You can do nothing II YOU expose me.
you break her heart, and probably kill
Your uncle. Hence, as an atfectionate rel
saive and wise man. you will keep your
mouth closed. Be careful sto. do SO, Will
liam Gilbert. and may do more for you
than you imagine can. am not hall
bad friend-when find it reciprocates
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