Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-05-30
GaIes ar,o Skftfbts
A sCHExER FoILED.
fCoutiuued from Yesterday. }

altogether unhappy. She felt that some
how, in blissful time to come, she would
be providentially guided back to content
ment with her beloved ones.
One morning visitor was announced.
and with much surprise she turned 10
stand face to face with her old suitor. Percy
Talbot, as ever, sleek. smiling, insignifi-
cant.
lyon wish to see me?'' she queried.
coldly. startled by something oddly as
sured and exultant in his aspect.
II wish to discuss matter of business
with yon,'' he returned, glibly. as with
great nonchalance he appropriated cosy
chair. '.Will you DOT be seated. too?
Where are the roses Of your cheeks. .kateP
Are you i'll. or has my coming disquieted
you ?''
She was pale with anger at his insoleDce,
at his stare Of ardent admiration and she
trembled with vague alarm before his
strange look Of triumph; but she stood
quite still and regarded him with calm in
quiry.
You may not be aware OF what has
happened at home," he pursued.stil with
the honeyed voice and hateful smile.
NO." was her simple utterance.
My mission is not particularly pleas
ant one," he continued cautiously; land
you make it harder for me, Kate, you
seem so Indifferent and have only come
to serve you. Your father is very i'll : he
may not recover"
Yet she remained silent, watching him
with her scornful, questioning eyes.
"And beside" her visitor went on, with
a semblance of the sympathetic, ''he has
been unfortunate in business, and every
thing he possesses will be sold at once if
there be no friendly interposition.
alone have power to aid him, and | will
do so if yOu-oh, listen. for love you,
Kate, you will be my wife, | will
stop this sale, and your parents shall still
have their home
lie had arisen and approached her with
Outstretched arms but at that instant the
door opened to admit one whom he had
not anticipated meeting precisely then
and there.
"Ah, Mr.. Merle" he articulated. with
extreme politeness. This is indeed
SURPRISE.
"A mutual surprise" Robert amended
drily. My wife and had scarcely
expected visit from YOU
"Your wife," he stammered 10 swift
confusion.
With mammals approval, Mr.. Merle
and | were married the day ! left home"
Kate explained, civilly.
"Ah then | have come only to con-
gratulate you." he succeeded in saying.
even as he recoiled discomfifted before
the contemptuous scrutiny of Rates hand
some young husband.
But he had no desire TO prolong so un-
satisfactory an interview, and he speedily
departed.
BE comforted, my dearest" Robert
epjOined her when the guest had gone. II
have forseen this day of trouble for your
father, and providentially | have been
given mems to help him. Would you
care to be back in the old home, Kate ?"
Would she care ? Had she not longed
every hour for months to behold the dear
old place. And the beloved, familiar face !?
And while the train that bore her home
ward was rattling across the white, win
ter world, her parents were making ready
| to leave the house where they had lived
| all the years of their welded life Every
thing had been sold The ominous red
flag yet waved over the entrance. about
which was melancholy and suggestive
| litter.
Inside, in the only apartment safe from
intrusion, lay the unfortunate man, suffi
| ciently co1valescent to realize that all his
! gains had been taken from him. and still
weak enough to hold valueless the life
that had been regiven him.
I'VE are not yet so old. Peter-you and
|, that we need fear beginning life anew"
his wife lovingly reminded him.
But what will give me back my child ?"
me her affection. Just as fond and Just as
haf 7 hos.
her home by my severity ?"
"Our Kate will never reproach you.
Peter" was the soft reply. And all is
well with her. l have hidden something
from you. dear something that once
would have aDgered you, but that now
may comfort you instead"
just then a carriage rumbled to the
door. The purchaser OF the property.
that had been bought by proxy. had ar
rived. and directly was admitted to the
room.
But the sick man was greatly perplexed
when he beheld Robert Merle standing
before him.
"A little legacy, not altogether unex-
pected, came to me Just in time" ex-
planned the generous young gentleman.
land bought the old place as a gift for
my wife,
And then, like bright spirit. Kate gil
ded in and dropped on her knees beside
her fathers couch.
80, papa, forgive me-" she cried,
with her sweet face pressed upon the
yearning hands that clasped her quick
iy.
Forgive you, dear child ?" calculated
the father. like one amazed. 1t is
who should beg to be forgiven. But |
scarcely understand what it all means.
Does it mean that you and Robert and
mamma were all leagued against me?"
IL am afraid so,' was the roguish con-
fession. But Robert had little secret
of his own, though" she added. with a
happy glance toward her manly husband.
'' He kept me quite in the dark about his
legacy and the purchase of the old place
until he had brought me here-brought
me back to the old home that shall still
l,.,v ~