Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-25
Gales ar,o Skettbfs.
welded TO ART.
AN ENGLISH sToRT.
(Continued from Yesterday


which she had nearly as great an interest
as he himself, as her own pretty face
formed an important feature. 4 less
innocent minded girl. or one more ac-
quainted with the world. might have OBJ
jected to the publicity thereby given her.
Leila did not. She felt proud of it, and
grateful to the artist for the compliment.
After their unconventional first meeting
it did not take long for them to become
the best of friends Ivan told her much
of his life in London. his successes and
hopes, the methods and customs OF society,
and many other things which Leila knew
only as she knew OF tairyland-through
books.
The more he saw Of her the more he adj
mired her. and drew favorable COMPARE
sons between her and certain bedecked
and powered ballroom visions he had
seem Owing to the difference in their
ages. he felt little more hesitation in
expressing his admiration than il she had
been child prattling on his knee.
True love runs most appalling smooth
and rapid till il becomes beyond control,
whatever it does afterwards. So it was
with Leila She loved with her whole
soul, and did not even suspect it. COnse-
quently when Ivan, with his picture com
pieted, babe her farewell, and returned to
London, it was like a rude Weakening,
cruel shock, that seemed to stun her at
first. Life became "A weary waiting for.
what she dared not hope. Her step lost
its buovancy and her cheek its roses. She
seemed to have gone at q step from girl
hood TO womanhood; and instead of play
ing with Sport and other pets, she buised
herself about household matters, or sat
and dreamed about the past.
With the coming spring she regained
much of her old spirit. and her laugh
echoed among the hills again, not so loud
and careless as formerly, but still merry
and sparkling.
II was one afternoon in June. as wan
dering along the roadside, she met Vans
little brother Johnny.
''Ivan's coming home tomorrow said
Johnny, with startling suddenness.
$50 soon? exclaimed Leila: and her
heart began to flutter painfully.
Yes; and he's been married. too
Leila looked mt the child in dumb,
white establishment.
81 heard ma telling Mrs. Grove this
morning." continued Johnny. ''She didn't
say married; she said welded; but it
means the same, don't ii?
Yes dear, it means the same
And she turned with quivering lips and
heaving bosom, and walked rapidly away,
past the wild roses that seemed TO look
after her. grieved and surprised at her
neglect-past the mild eyed sheep that
stared at her with gentle reproach-past
blackbrds and skylarks singing in field
and hedge-past all the bright things OF
nature, that now appeared but dreary
mockery. and Tell upon messy bank with
a deep, heart-brcaking sob
This, then. was the end-the end to her
first pure love, and all the visions it had
created somehow Leila never 80 much
as questioned whether little ten-year old
| JOHNNY was a worthy messenger Of such
news What right had she to expect any
| thing different? Had she any claims on
| Ivan. or any assurance that he had not
forgotten her entirely? What more natu-
raj than Tor him to marry
II Leila. when she had turned from the
road. had looked far ahead, she would
have perceived Just round the bend
form whose manly strides she would
have recognized at a glance.
1t was Ivan Kirk, and he quickened his
already rapid pace as he caught glimpse
of her as she passed in among the trees.
Her ewes were still moist, but she had
passed the first convulsive sobbing when
she heard his step. and before she could
flee. he stood before her.
Leila" he exclaimed, as he came for
ward with glad smile. :" | thought | saw
my little forest maiden turning into the
woods. What, you must have been cry
ing"
Leila made one heroic effort to sclf-con-
troll. Whatever might happen, Ivan
should never know of her hopeless lS~--..
Gulping down the rising sob, and .-apidv
winking two or three times, sric answered,
Il haven't"
1t was the first e.. and she went on to
elaborate with s'lonishing readiness.
- have teen sneezing, oh. so hard
J t. Sc. my feet are wet A." and she
pointed to two tiny shoes slightly damp.
Il But | am glad to see YOU. Ivan. |
thought you wasn't coming till to-m0r-
row.
Il thought would give you surprise.
Have you heard the news? "
Yes; Johnny Just told me. II sup
pose YOU are too happy to live. aren't
you?" Her words were uttered pleas
antly. but her hands were clinched till
the marks of the nails were imprinted in
the flesh
mo, Leila; the fact is don't feel
nearly as happy as expected should; "
and he poked the grass musingly with his
cane.
mot happy?" and Leila looked at
him in amazement. Then YOU"
Then don't deserve my good fortune.
| know it. I'm. whimsical as a child.
When left here last fall could think of
nothing else. was blind fool, and as
the time passed and the momentous day
drew nearer and nearer. | found that
that my happiness depended upon some
thing entirely different
Lelia's cheek again became livid. Was
his marriage mistake? With quick in
tuition she OWNED his meaning. He had
married another while loving her. and al
ready repented. But what right had he
to tell her of this? What right had he to
speak to her in that tender tone now?
Leila, have come back to tell you
that l love you; that | have loved you
though"
With flashing eyes she drew back the
hand he had taken.
That will do, sir. will hear not one
more word"