Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-22
GaIes alrb Skeietes.
wHErHER SHE WOULD OF no.
L. z. C.
(continuued from yesterday. )

Continued from yesterday
Miss Earle, believe" begins the
enemy. Pray pardon my intrusion at this
hour; l am John Howard as you NAV
have guessed. l decided TO take an earl
inopportune arrival has inconvenienced
you"
why. bless my soul. wife, here's John
Howard" breaks in the hearty voice OF
Mr. Fare, as he advances from the drive
Bittie. glad to be relieved of the the I'M
welcomed guest. beat hasty retreat
II know one place where can be by my
self, and shall take good care he doesn't
find it out. either saws Bittie to herself
next morning. an hour before breakfast,
as cook in hand. she goes through the
orchard. in the direction of a quiet nook
under an aged elm, Just over the wall, at
the opposite corner of the orchard. A
rock has fallen from the wall and lies
against the tree, forming a broad, low,
seat. and over and around this and the
wall and tree wild grapevine had grown
thickly, making the place sort OF natural
bower.
As she walks slowly along. holding her
=
she reviews in her mind the previous even
ing, and the impressions she has received
from her first few hours acquaintance with
her fathers guest.
She finds these impressions somewhat
different from what she had imagined they
would be- She has to admit that there is
nothing despicable in his appearance to
be sure he is not Raymond Lafontaine
he is rather an older man-30 at least, but
his erect. well-made muscular figure. has
about it an air of manly strength. which
no girl ever vet failed to admire; and
this air of strength is still further sug-
gested by the upright, rather naughty
carriage Of the well-shaped head and
the firm curve of the lips under
the brown moustache Not at all
prosy is he either, she is forced to confess;
for the keen gray eyes showed that they
could sparkle with merriment, and the
firm mouth relax for heartiest laughter
and gayest wit, and there were actually
dimples in the mans cheek and chin that
made him positively handsome when he
laughed. As for his clothes there was
nothing seedy about the gray business
suit he wore. though he could not be said
to be fastidously dressed. Altogether,
he might not have proved very disagree
able companion, if it had not been for
papa and mamma ridiculous match-mak-
ing. As it is. she hates him on general
principles, and they will find she is not to
be thrown at any mans head in that way.
This, as she mounts the wall and comes
down with an emphatic bounce on the
other side face to face with John Howard.
calmly seated on her rock, hugging his
knees.
He smiles pleasant Good morning."
but, seeing her look of annoyance, rises
hastily and says, Il am afraid am tres
passing. Is this favorite spot with
you?'
1T belongs to me exclusively. No one
ever troubles me here" she answers
brusquely, "Who told you of it?" feeling
il quite too bad of mamma to let the in
vador into the secret of her sanctuary.
mo one; found it one dav in a morn
ing ramble. and it was my favorite re-
treat after that. The world seems SO far
away here there is nothing to be seen
but the long, sleepy slopes and the far off,
hazy hills. and one can rest or think so
easily here do not wonder you resent in
trusion."
She had been unfolding blanket shawl
and spreading it over the rock and sur
rounding grass as protection from the
morning dampness, and as he turns to go
Bittie, feeling somewhat ashamed OF her
rudeness' and little Modified by his evil
dent appreciation of the delights of her
darling corner, says slowly. "You need
not go unless you like. | am disposed to
pardon you for the sake of your good
taste"
Thanks; shall certainly not wait for
a second invitation" at the same time
seating himself about three yards away
on decayed, unwholesome-looking
stump. strongly suggestive of earwigs.
''Oh. don't 81. there, you'll spoil your
that is-this is nicer. you know" patting
the shall coaXingly. at the same time feel
ing heartily disguised with herself for
making so many overtures 10 the enemy
Very much nicer. should say" How
ard remarks. as he seats himself on the
shawl at her feet and leans his broad
shoulders against the stone wall land in
finitely more sociable. What are you
reading? by the way of opening CONVEX
sation.
She hands him a we'll worn copy of
Lucille" and he turns the leaves rapidly
stopping at the superb description of the
sunrise
In its sumptuous splendor and solemn repose,
The supreme revelation of light Dome of gold,
Realms Of rose in the Orient And GREATNESS and
bold,
While the great gates of Heaven roll'd back one by
The brish. herald angle stood stern in the sum-
Thrice no ly Eospherosi Lights reign began
In the Heaven, on the earth, in the heart of the
man.
The dawn on the mountains the dawn everywhere !,
Light silenc. the FRI sh innovations of air.
D earth, and o eitheri A butterfly breeze
Floated up naoted down and poised blithe the
trees.
Through the reveling woods, ore the sharp ripped
stream,
Up the vale slow uncoiling itself out of dream;
Around the brown meadows adown the hilslope,
The spirits Of morning were whisperin "Hopel"
Bittie catches her breath as the rich.
thrilling voice ceases. "Oh! how came
you to find that! Isn't it perfect? What
must it be to be poet; to be able to put
into words the feelings that overwhelm
one at such time as this? and her ewes
dwell lovingly on the distant hills. bath
ed in the glory of the newly risen sun,
and the long silent wales between from
which the purple mists curl slowly up;
- poor ordinary mortal like me can only
stifle orr crvtr