Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-01
Gales ano Skfttbes
STRANGERS YET,


Anu sue Siliiy never KNOWS OF nj. Dit
ter grief and disappointment when the
baby hands are. folded in death, that he
yearns for the love and sympathy his wife
has not for him, and yearns in vain.
strangers yet," they drift farther and
farther apart. MiIly knows no more Of
her husbands business and affairs than
the veriest stranger; she knows not how
he tolls and works. Her lip curls az she
spends the money he loves instead of her
self. He makes no comment as bills come
in for dress that would weil-nigh ruin
rich man. She cares not how extrayagant
she is, and denies herself nothing that is
likely for moment To deaden the weary.
unsatisfied feeling that is always at heart.
ing tonight SO the world says. and
sees no farther than the smiling eyes, de-
tects no ring of sorrow IN the pleasant
voice.
Mily does not dance much, and she
never firts. With all the sad cstrange
ment, there has never been any trouble of
that sort. She talks and smiles "a society
demands, and j. conscious that she is one
Of the best-dressed women in the room;
but the consciousness does not bring much
-
Jealous of girl in white grenadine
dress, who wears no jewelry; her whole
turnout must have cost very little. and yet
there is something in the fresh young face
which Milly Gascoignc. with all her wealth
and beauty, lacks. Contentment shines
ous of the girls happy eyes and hovers
on her lips. There is an utter absence OF
care in the clear, ringing voice. Milly
looks after her rs she passes by on tall
mans arm, and then turns to lady by
her side.
"Who is that ~
Captain Haycroit.
II don't mean the man mean the girl
in the white dress"
THAT little thing? Pretty, isn't she
Her name is Dorothy Levison; she is en-
gagged 10 Captain IIaycroft. It is regu-
lar love match
Mrs. Gascoi9ne offers no comment she
looks mt the crowd of fair women and
brave men assembled to grace Lady Cor
don's ball, and for once in society, Milly
appears what she really is sad and weary
at heart Lady Gordon notices the tired,
listless look and comes across the room.
II am sorry Mr.. Gascoigne was not
able to come tonight. am so sorry he
has been complaining"
a sudden CLEAN of interest comes into
Milly's face. She looks with puzzled
expression at Lady Gordon, but that lady
is totally oblivous Of the surprise so plain
ly revealed in Milly's eyes and finishes
her speech calmly.
my husband met him on the day he
had been to consult the doctor, and was
quite shocked at his appearance but
trust it is nothing serious 2''
NO" Milly saws, with a little gasp;
and for second she turns rs white rs her
dress. Then the sweet set mouth j. closed
firmly. and the world knows not what is
passing in her mind.
Lady Gordon. with II few more polite
sentences. passes on, needless and
UNCONSCIOUS that her words have fallen on
deadened ears.
Through mist that comes not of tears.
but from fain,ness, Millv sees the crowd
swaying past. Her husband i'll. and she,
his wife, OF all people in the world. to Ice
ignorant of it They are strangers yet
indeed; and through the hum of voices
and above the strains of dance-music she
seems to hear n girls voice singing ard
see her husbands eyes give one brief look
into hers a the words are walled forth
AMER years of life together.
After touch of welded hands.
All. well, he married her for her money,
and she will never let him see how : e
yearns and longs for the love and happi-
ness that might have been, The light
from the wax tapers shines on her rich
dress, her flashing jewels, and rests ten
DERBY on the proud, sad face that has drop
ped its mask tor once and looks pale and
weary.
"iou are very silent tonight. Mrs
Gascoigne,N a mans voice is saving, and
she answers. without a smile;
Yes; am a dull companion tonight.
| have u headache"
A heartache she had nearly said. with
the keen anguish oil the weary, wearing
pain that sends the blood ebbiny back
from her face to the sad heart that has
never beaten one pulsatiou quicker to-
night for all the gay scene that holds such
hollow mirth after all, such bitter mock
cry of happiness.
For hours after his wife has gone. Mr.
Gascoigne works. and -huSily too, at u pile
papers before him, bending over the
table with knit brows and compressed
lips. He lays his pen down at last. lies
back in his chair and looks up ut the cell
ing. Such haTgart, worn lace II Is.
There is more than disappointment writ
ten there now, in the eyes CLEAN some
thing that is akin to despair Presently
the firm mouth quivers and tears course
slowly down his face.
lie never raises his hand to wipe them
away. never stirs. but remains leaning
back in his chair till the bitter drops dry
upon his cheek and his mouth has resumed
its old stern expression Then weary
sobbing sigh breaks from him rs il against
his will for at that moment he pulls him
self together. and rising, PAGES up and
down. backward and forward. his head
bent low. The ti:e has burned itself ont
long since. He pays no heed. and con-
tinues his weary pacing to aud fro,
He is back at the table again. aud APP
parently still deeply engrossed in his
work. when Milly comes home. She
stands gazing at the fire and not at her
husband after she has entered the room.
looking little paler. little more Ill ed.
than she looked four hours before
Ibid you enjoy yourself?" Jasper
Gascoigne speaks as though he has spent
the long, lonely hours very pleasantly.
Miliv shruQS her shoulder with ces-