Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-07-10
Gales H,lb Sketfhes.
50 WEAKLY wos.

grow thickest. the Anal shower OF rice
and the last old satin slipper were falling
TAR behind il, when James Grafton realized
tor the first time that Lettie was gone in
deed. and had left him there alone and
unprotected. For him the bright June
day seemed suddenly overloaded, and
his own little domestic world strangely
empty in spite Of the merry chattering
groups of bridal guests on his sunny lawn.
In another instant the carriage had disap-
peared; the bridesmaids and their at
tendant swains turned laughingly away,
and sauntered of mostly in couples; for
one wedding is very provocative of an
other, few things being more infections
than love making.
James Grafton went towards his house
with very grave face Che had been stand
ing on the path that he might watch the
carriage to the very last y and on the door
steps he met his two sisters-in-law, Mrs.
Charles and Mrs. Harry both widows, and
arrayed in different shades OF iron-gray
silk. It was awful to have to face them
alone without that good. kind. brave Let
tie who had hitherto looked so we'll after
him and his interests. who had always
stood between him and the widows. They
seemed TO have come fearfully near to him
all at once We're they going to crush
him completely? Would they eat him up
and pick his bones? What would they do
10 himp
James Grafton was bachelor of 40 or
thereabout. Leitie. his only sister. whom
he had couple of hours ago most un-
selfsbly given away to Colonel Rathbone
at the little white church at the foot of the
hill, although many years younger than
himself had always fought his domestic
battles for him and had been quite equal
70 the task Of defending him from any
number OF aggressive relatives. And
James Grafton needed a protector badly,
for he was the only man Of his family who
had ever made any money: while his
brothers, after trying hard to ruin him as
well as the nselves. had died pennless,
leaving him l3 nephews and nieces to
care for AS well as two widows, whose
only jointures were "A couple of very dit
ferent but. to James Grafton. equally OBJ
jectiOnable tempers. A heavy burden
truly; but he and Lettie had taken it up
bravely and cheeriuly, and had done very
much more than their duty.
But now James Grafton had given Lettie
away she has gone. and the widows were
standing on the doorsteps saving all sorts
of pretty things about the wedding and
charming bride. There was a great blank
where Lettie had been. oh. then, surely
the widows and the thirteen children could
FIJI it! Everything his friends said brought
this thought to James Graiton's mind but
that only made the blank look blanker
Mrs Charles and Mrs Harry did not love
each other. How could they. being the
mothers of two rival class of children
.rVl a.. L., IL Il.
the one indicated the other in general
way; but to day as each tried to excel the
other in doing the honors of James Graf
tons very picturesque little house. no one,
except the keenest observer, could have
told that open war ragged permanently be-
tween the two smiling ladies who received
so graciously the parting congratulations
Of the wedding guest. James Grafton.
however. knew the state of affairs only
too well. and as he watched the groups on
the lawn thinning. and carriage after ear
riage driving off. his heart sank down and
down. and the bIacknses oi darkness set
tied down upon him.
At length all had departed except the
sister.in-law and their elder children.
Mrs. Charles at once began to explore
the house, which during Letlie's reign
hearts content; and Mrs. Harry followed
her stealthily about. as detective might
watch n suspected thief As for James
Grafton, he CROPPED his melancholy way
into his library.
''Ha what's this ?" he exclaimed with
sudden JOY. as his eyes fell upon a note
lying upon his desk. From Leitie. Dear
girl. How thoughtful ~ He eagerly
tore open the envelope. 1t all ready
appeared to him as il she had been
gone some centuries. The note had
been scribbled in desperate haste and
excitement. but it brought hope and
courage with il. MY dearest old
Jim." 1t ran, '.be firm. now. or YOU are
lost forever. l see they don't mean to go.
They must go. both ofthem. Keep.to our
arrangement. Don't yield an inch. You
dear lamb, how grieve to leave YOU 50
detenceless II you value nv peace OF
mind. speak to Eunice Bell tomorrow and
know your fate. She likes YOU; | am
sure OF it. am fond of her; so are you.
Perhaps you think you are not; but mind
what tell you-you are. How happy
should be II colld only feel you were in
her good hands. Believe me. dear, she Is
. most sweet thipg-With fondest love
your own Lettie. James Grafton had al
ways had fair and rather delicate CON-
plexion. 1t was not much the worse for
wear. 1t turned vivid scarlet as he read
the last part OF his sisters note.
How on earth could she have guessed
What have said or done to suggest such
an idea? Believe me, dear. she is most
sweet thing knew that well enough
without Lettie's telling me. I'm fond oI
her; so are you.'" And in spite OF hav-
ing lost first love whom the angels
cali Lenore," or some other delicious
name. James Grafton. this bachelor oi
forty years. sighed with almost youthful
fervor for his second. "'She likes you
am sure Of it," Aye, there's the rub
Likes-likes-likes me-" he repeated
''but perhaps still loves some one on the
other side Of the world. Does she ? Why
shouldn't knowa''
He read Lettie's note through again; il
was singularly inspiriting; never before
had the case been put before him so clear.
". never had he dared. even in his inmost
thoughts. to put it 90 clearly to himself
He opened his eyes widely.
'.llavc been tool, Iwonder? must