Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-07

versiDg earnestly with each other. the
Young man impresses kiss upon the lady's
cheek and whispers something in her ear.
She bushes and mods. They have ex-
changed vows. The sun. gradually grow
ing larger and redler, blushing. as it were,
1t the scene it witnessed, sank down be-
hind the distant tree tops. The shades Of
twilight fell over the earth, glad with the
blessings Of spring. When the two reach
the house the door opens and an elderly
couple energies, salu.ing their 'dear
daughter Sallie' and good Mr. Bentwell."
A lively conversation ensues. Soon
Sallie's parents return indoors. bowling to
the "Good-bve. Mrs. Melbourne; good
bye, Mr.. Melbourne" Of Bentwell The
two lovers fingered while longer. when
Mr.. BeDtwell said
1.-The train soon starts for the city. and
must now leave you, SaIlie. This is the
ring"
50 saying he slipped it on her finger, and
alter last embrace he was soon lost to
sight. With a glistening tear in each eye.
Sallie enters the house.
The scene changes.
This IL Main street. Everything betok-
ems the action and ceaseless toll of the city.
Drays and carts and wagons and street
cars and carriages pass each other heed
lessly, while on the sidewalks, strewn
with barrels and boxes and bales. crowds
Of people hurry to and fro. Opposite me
stands large house sporting blue sign.
on which was painted, in gilt letters.
/. fLoKIAN BENTwELL,
Grain Dealer. !.
Suddenly the interior is open to my
view. All Is silent here, and no business
seems to be carried on. Mr.. Bentwell
alone Is in his office, reclining in chair
and pressing his forehead with both hands.
His ewes are downcast. and his whole at
titude betokens sullen meditation. A fear
ful change has occurred in his features.
Despair now turks where supreme joy
was depicted not long ago. All the
books in front OF him tell the tale. Spec
ulation. in order to gain a grand fortune
for his beloved. resulted in failure. The
crash came--he was ruined. Picking up
pen, with trembling haDd, he dashed off
ing it in his pocket he hastily left the
office.
Again the scene shifts. The old farm
AsOuoCs W tltto VhNV up
pears. Sallie Is in the garden. She is
preitier and happier than ever. A lively
little negro boy rushes to her side. pant
ing and smiling. and drops letter into
her outstretched hand. lie laughs roguish-
", for he knows that Miss Salie's beau
has written, having many a time brought
her letter addressed in the same bold
hand style. Eagerly she tore it open, and
~atith N hav hlpsh;prv a., ,,rncoaAaI 10,
read 1t. Little did Sallie dream how this
letter differed in tone and import from the
preceding ones.
Her face blauches to the whiteness of
death; she utters heartrcnding shrek
and falls in swoon upon the grass. The
father comes rushing out of the house rs
fast as his age permits him. followed by
the terror-stricken neither. They wiring
their hands and call for help. Salie soon
RECEIVERS, and slowly rising, with the as
sistance of her parents. looks around in
confused manner. and thea points to the
letter Mt her feet. The parents read it
aloud. 1t was dated Sept. 20, 1875. 1t ran
thus:
my Own DARLING: Ii is probably for
the last time that address you as such.
have utterly failed in business. and am
at this moment not worth dollar. alb
solve you from our engagement, as can
not expect you to become pauper's wife.
Then | was rich; now | am poor. NY
health has been bad for some time. and
when will grow able again and strong
God only knows. So farewell,
+. BENTwELL."
The parents tried in vain to console
their bewildered daughter. She accused
him as we'll as Bentwell, of being sordid
and unfecling. She avowed that she had
enough money comfortably to support
them both till he cosld earn more. and
that she would have nursed him faithfully
in his sickness till he recovered. Her
love was mighty-it overcame all OBJ
stacles: It laughed down all dangers.
Giving way to the most intense agony,
Sallie fled to her room and buried her
burning face in one of the cool bed pill
lows. After time her sobbiag ceased;
she arose and seated herself. She took
from her finger her engagement ring and
looked at it long and intently. As she did
50 the true meaning of Bentwell's action
must have dswned upon her mind He
loved her fervently; that was certain.
His love was uuselfish; for he would
rather undergo lifelong misery apart from
her than TO have her with him bat to un-
dergo the disgrace and hardships of pow.
erty. He was too honest for crooked
ways in business, and determined man
fully to bear the consequences Of his own
deeds. .'How noble. but how mis-
guided ~ exclaimed Sallie. With these
words the picture vanished.
Another view presents itself. j II is
night. The noise and turmoil of the city
have ceased. In the distance the city hos
pital looms up in its grandeur, and from
is numerous windows the friendly lights
shine Car out into the darkness. They
are like 50 many welcoming beacon lights
to The forsaken and poverty stricken sick
Approaching and entering. beheld a
pitifhi sight. Who is that almus, flesh
less man. with haggard countenance
Can it be-yes. It is-Florian Bentwell
His eyes are abuormslly bright and sunken
deep in their sockets; on each cheek
burns hectic spot; his respirations come
and 60 in quick gasps; scarlet blood.
mingled with white froth, escapes at his
mouth That fearful ravisher, cousump-
don has well nigh completed his work.
HAEk ssSallie. my sweetheart. could see
non once more 1 would, indeed. die hap
ny" His mind evidently reverts to the
love scenes Of two years past IS he g1sps: