Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-11
Gales ano Sketfkes.
fKUsYID 70 VIII.


Gle Of Beatrice Lsaham's friends who
shook their heads d ,ubtfully when the
news was annnuncesi OF her engagement
to Mr.. Robert IieadIey, lieutenant in her
maIesty's service after an acquaintance Of
only three weeks. It was EASY TO talk
abnrit love at first sight. to assert that IN
this briei space Of time they had reached
q degrre OF intimacy which many happily
married people had E,iled 10 achieve in
three years, To point out that his antece-
dents were a. completely satisfactory as
his presence. which no one denied IN be
sinqularly straightforward and winning
In spite OF all plausibiliiIes. two sets Of
cayillers remained-ihOse men and girls,
namely who were jealous either of him or
Of her and those lew older people who
had some actual or personal experience
ri unioward possibilities IN luye affairs
Besides. in this case The shortness 81 the
acquaintance was not the only laZ tr,Inus
circumstance OF the engagement. Only a
lew DAYS LATER. lI-adley and Capt. Frs
kline (ihe friend at whose house he hal
been staying, and who had introduced him
TO the Latbam-) sailed for India, and
Beatrice was lett to live on the memory
OF nl,nih's surprising happiness and to
wait patiently for The return of her lover
The girls trust in him was absolute.
She had, as it were. been taken by storm,
tor in the unreserved ardor Of Headley's
wOoiny she did not perceive the want OF
depth. The absence OF self restraint in his
nature. but only The entire devotion 10 her
sell. which made her brim over with de
light and responsive affection. Thus her
passionate belief. in his loyalty enabled
her to face the weary years OF separation
with marvellous courage. which served
To increase the respect and admiration al
ready accorded her as one of the sweet
est and most beautiful girls in the wide
district of Kersham. Capt. Erskine,
who was an old pliyIellow Of the
Lathams, regarded her rs little less of an
angel than her sister Connie. and when
al the final leave-taking she appealed to
him to stand by Headly through thick
and thin. he registered a silent vow that
his promise given in return should not be
an idle one.
For more than a year Beatrice never
had moments anxiety. IIeadley was
well and happy. and his frequent letters
breathed the same ardent affection that
she had learned to believe in from his
lips. When. however, the report Of diff
ficulties in Afghanistan was followed by
the news that both Headley and Erskine
had been ordered to the front. it was no
wonder that she should be sorely tried
BY the fears and the uncertainties of the
long campaign. Letters reached her only
at long intervals. and were usually so
short and hurried as to give her an in
creased sense of the hard work. the in
security, the stir and turmoil with which
her lover was surrounded. She bore up
bravely by dint OF constantly impressing
upon herself the necessity OF fortitude in
a soldiers bride. but her great love made
confidence and 'composure very hard
sometimes. Then at last letter came
which dissipated all her Tears and filled
her with joyful anticipations. Connie.
who was in the room when it arrived,
noticed the start she gave and the light
that flashed into her tace as she read, and
asked smiling:
"WelI, dear, what ia the news?"
Beatrice rose and impulsively flung
her arms around her sisters neck.
"Oh, Connie ~ she cried, Rob is COM
ing homer'
mot really. Beef"
'.Yes, really" repeated Beatrice. half
sobbing with excitement and gladness;
IL suppose ought to be sorry, for he
has been wounded; but he says it is moth
ing to speak of-only just enough to get
leave for--and can think Of nothing but
seeing him again. lie and Richard Frs.
kline were side by side and both got hurt
They sail this monib-how long does it
take ? Connie. Connie, he will be here in
a few weeks ~
FLUSH. Beatrice, you mustn't excite your
SELF" said Connie. reprovingly; but her
own heart was beating now at the thought
OF Erskine's return. and she added. nerv-
ously. II hope Richards wound is only
slight. too"
"Oh. yes" said Beatrice. laughing and
kissing her. ''they will both be nearly well
by the time they reach England. And Rob
has got his captaincy-isn't that splendid"
The girl grew gradually more compos-
ed but she could moi sober down altogether,
and every dav that brought the vessel
bearing lieadley nearer hume seemed 10
add IL the brightness Of her eyes and the
indescribably happy light-heartedness of
her manner. lleadley sent a letter over
land whenever they touched "A port. and in
the last one. from Gibraller,he wrote that
he hoped to be with her ON the following
SUNDAY . OUT she must not wonder ii ne
were delayed a day or two; he would
telegraph the moment he landed.
To the impatient girl the intervening
DAYS passed with almost intolerable dill
atoriness; they We're so long. SO hot. so
still, SO full OF summer drowsiness on;
of all sympathy with the highly strung
state of her emotions. She could not wait
quietly unless every hour was filled up BY
some active occupation she fretted and
chaled against the unhastening leisureli-
ness Of time. and wore herself cut with
restless longings for fleadley's coming.
On Saturday the Lsthams took part in n
large nuiting party. and it WA, general
comment that no one stood the heat so we'll
or worked with such unhagging persever-
ance rs Beatrice. As the shadows length
ened, one couple stole off for stroll. and
Beatrice, turning round to toss bunch OF
nuts into the basket held by Connie, re-
marked. with n smile:
81 suppose | must not call those two
to task for idleness. considering how soon
| shall stand in need OF Indulgence myself
Only think. Con, within four and twenty
hours Rob will probably be here ~
Onc Of the children nutting near her
looked up at this and said brightly:
do you know Miss Latham. Dicks
coming sooner than that? Mother h nd a