Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-19
Gales arlD Sketfkes.
AELIRrJyG FOLLY.
By AGNES CLAYTON.

Ladies and gentlemen, regret to say
that We shall be detained here some hours
There has been an accident on the line
beyond, and we cannot get through until
towards evening"
There was no help for it, and the grum-
bling passengers got out OF the carriage
with various expressions Of annoyance.
ssOh, Mollie, what shall we do here this
afternoon
my dear Nina. we'll have some good
fun We're in \ strange place. with no
body to PLAY propriety, and we'll make
this day long to be remembered. I'm
going to get up Irritation with somebody.
and you must do the same. We can have
rare iun If you only will"
Nina does not fall in with this plan very
heartily. but proposes to go to hotel for
dinner, and thew star. Immediately,
Mo,Iie is small. fair, bewifching; Nina
tall, dark. and rather stately looking
Just opposite in appearance and DISPOSE
ton, yet the best Of friends.
.'There's large park in this place. for
I've heard Cousin Will speak Of it." Nina
remarks to Mollie, who is before the
mirror preparing Tor the afternoon cam
paign. Suppose we walk out and find
III"
Just the thing" assented Mollie.
"We'll have fun there if anywhere"
They have no difficulty in finding the
park, and very pretty place it is. They
find q rustic seat, and sit down Ito await
the coming man." as Molie expressed it.
"Oh, here come two OF the nobbiest fell
lows ~ she whispered presently. Now,
Nina, you must do just as do"
"Mollie. please be careful. Remem-
ber-"
But they are very near now. and auda-
cious Mollie smiles and slightly bows.
Both gentlemen lift their hats, pass on
Q few steps, and turn back.
"MOllie, don't be recklessP"
NINA. don't be prudishr'
Foolish Nina hates to be called prudish
besides she is catching the infections and
when the gentlemen pause on their return,
she sustains her part remarkably well for
an amateur. 1t IS only for once, and no
enc will ever know of il, she reasons.
A little distance back Of them. Nina
notices gentleman reclining on rustic
bench. His lace attracts her--a strong
handsome face, with piercing black eyes,
that might look tender il their owner so
willed, Nina imagined. He must have
seen the whole perform nce, and there
Is a half smile of contempt on the iirm-set
lips. which Nina observes.
"Mollie." she finds chance TO whisper
aside, ..lets get away from these men I'VE
that gentleman over there who is watch
ing nsP"
.'PoOh! he is only wishing he had the
-, ~
with the ..iun."
Finally the two gentlemen propose to
20 for refreshments, at the restaurant near,
and even Mollie hesitates.
Il think we must return to the hotel
now" Nina says, quickly.
She has learned from their conversation
that they are not the sort of company she
would like to appear in. and she determ-
ines to take the matter in her own hands.
They insist on accompanying them to the
hotel and Nina. growing more disquieted
every moment, has not the courage tC
peremptorily dismiss them.
As they leave the park, Nina cannot for.
lear glancing ut the handsome gentleman
behind them. and she instinctively feels
that be despises them all.
A wear later. Nina Black is at the N
Hotel, with party of friends, Mollie
Gordon not being one OF the number.
Nina is at u window, observing the new
arrivals. Suddenly she starts. Surely
there Is the face which. having once SEEN
she has never forgotten 1t is the gentle
man who Witnessed that foolish Irritation
in the park at Newton. The same pierre
ing eyes, the same tirm-set mouth. but the
contempiuous smile is gone. Will he rec.
ognize her. she wondersp She fervently
hopes not, for she is heartily ashamed Of
her conduct on that occasion.
She dresses herself with unusual care
that evening. and smiles triumphantly as
she takes a parting glance in the mirror
the reflection of the tall, willowy form, in
pale pink draperies, is evidently satisfac.
tory.
She meets Mr.. Philip Cameron. and is
introduced u few moments after entering
the drawipg-room. Nina almost loses heI
self-possessiOn as the black eyes rest on
her so keenly; but evidently he does moi
recognize her, and in a few moments they
are chatting in a very friendly manner.
''Shall we waltz" he asks. as the
music strikes up.
And they are soon gliding through the
llgnteu rooms.
They stroll out in the grounds after the
waits Is over.
"Your face seems very familiar to me"
he says. musingly, looking down into her
dark. expressive eyes, "a they stand in
the moonlight. "Can it be possible We
have ever met before to nightP'
She laughs lightly. perhaps a little
guilty, for she remembers it all so we'll.
"Once having observed \ face. never
forget it," he goes on without waiting for
. reply. "For instance. | met q gentle
man in restaurant, few weeks ago,
who impressed me as some one whom
had seen before, but could not determine
when or where. This morning | sudden.
~ remembered that he was in train with
me two years ago and occupied seat op.
posite."
"You would make good detective
abe says, feeling that it is only a question
of time when he will remember that un-
fortunate afternoon. "Why should
care ?" she thinks. impatiently. 1T is no
more than hundreds OF girls do every day
and think nothing of it.
But she does care. nevertheless. 1t is
the skeleton at the feast of good things
which follows. Picnics. drives. walks,
with dancing in the evening to bewilder-
ing music. Nina enjoys it all so thorough
w. with Philip Cameron constantly at her