Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-01-11
Gales ano Skstfbts.
IS BLesseM STREET
BY NELLIs HOBART EMERY.
(Contlnuca FROM Yesterday. J

except ON Friday. although ne never
passed without thought of her. One
cool day. for IT was getting late in the fall.
and the October frost had come, when she
opened the door, the old spaniel started
for the opening with such clumsy and un-
expected velocity, that he tripped the un-
suspecting pOstman and both started to
rolf down the steps together. Willard
rescued himself half way down and gave
the old dog parting kick, that sent MIN
terrified and yelping. into the garden.
Poor Fido ~ said the girl eommiserat-
inyly.
lie laughed with halt grimace of pain
as he picked himself up, saying. Il think
you might save little sympathy for me"
-.You are not hurt?'' she replied. look
ing at him with such a world of compass
sion in her eyes, that he would have liked
to kiss her on the spot, as he told her long
zfterward
He felt lame and bruised for several
days. but secretly blessed the old dog for
giving him any claim upon her thought.
He began to think how he might follow
up his interest.
She must be lonesome staying indoors
with that tiresome old aunt; he did not
know that she WAS tiresome, but OF course
she was. Probably she would be glad Of
something 10 read. not of the Sunday
school order; he would send her some
thing. she would never know. He had
never read many novels himself, and
when the woman at the periodical store
recommended everything with generous
indScrimination, he took half a dozen and
concluded he would look them over him.
self before he sent them. He was glad
he had done so when he came to some of
them most of them were not 50 much.
bad, as nauseaiing. He wanted some
thing he could imagine her reading every
page of. and pleased in doing it. He did
up two Of them at last. and wrote her
name upon the wrapper in his best hand.
lie had written it considerably before.
She took the package the next day,
without question. but he trembled little
inwsrdly and did not repeat the expert
ment.
He hit upon another device for seeing
her frequently by subscribing for the
Morning Calf for Deacon Crane, which
he delivered for three months with great
regularity. much to that worthy's mild
wonderment.
He had never been to church much. but
list when he found she was regular little
church goer; and when in Christmas
week they had their annual bazaar, he as
tonished even himself by appearing on the
festive scene for three nights in succession.
On the third, patience was rewarded; she
came. and after some rather awkward
man9uverng he managed to get an intro
duction. by means of loquaciOus elderly
acquaintance who knew everybody and
talked at them in high shrill key.
MIR. Willard Burleigh" suggested no
familiar idea to the girl. who, as it hap
penei. had never heard his name but the
face as she looked up, was one she knew.
For an instant. she was puzzled. He
looked down at her. with miscellaneous
twinkle in his gray eyes.
You do not recognize me ?' he said
perhaps if | should carry Baptist Ad-
vocate in my hand. the resemblance would
he more perfect"
To think | should not know your"
she cried, with little blush. "You
must think me very stupid. It was the
uniform think and besides. one does not
expect to find friend in each new name"
There is one person, who will always
maintain the usefulness of church fairs.
Nothing very wonderful was said by either
of them. but when she had departed under
her uncle's elderly escort, he turned to
Sue Wetherbee ard some of the '.socia-
bles" with wild exhilaration of spirit,
apparently due to their society but whose
cause they did not in the least understand.
lie wondered sometimes if he were nat
urally desperate hypocrite. as when,
with much deliberation, he obtained q
couple of tickets to a concert under the
auspices of the Y. NJ. G.. A., and then
asked if she would not use them; he had
some for his friends.
OF course she said ''yes' innocently,
and went, with the small and owlish Uncle
Crane.
She looked very pretty in her low
brimmed hat and daisies; but silks and
satins would become her just as we'll. She
saw him and nodded brightly, and then
apparently told her uncle where he was,
for the old man beamed benevolently in
that direction with his weak, shortsighted
eyes.
The morning calls were little longer
now; as long as he dared TO make them.
He was apt To hurry away from the other
girls. at the thought Of the shy. frank smile
that waited for his coming.
So it went on, till one night, when they
were coming Gome from church together,
he walked beside her now, some reference
to the service brought to the minds of
both the old girlish love and sorrow. He
stopped reverently; she hesitated mo-
meni. and then went on softly, II should
like to have YOU know, for you knew then,
thought. | mean wished. for a little
while. that might die. for it seemed to
me. I never could be happy any more !;
but now | am glad it is so. ! was very
young. and when he knew l was going
away. he wanted ME to promise, so did.
| was lonesome. 1t was so much quieter
than what was used to, and perhaps his
letters were more to me than he himself
would have been He liked someone else
better after while. and II am so glad
it is all over, | tremble sometimes to
think it might have gone on
They were AT the doorstep as she
finished speaking. and as ii half-fright-
eued at what she had said. she turned
quickly to go in. but he caught her hands
passionately and before he fairly knew it.
was speaking fast and low. with hope and
JOY and fear. all in his heart at once.
1t was pretty tear-stained face she
lifted when he stood waiting some re-
ply.