Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-21
Cabs a1r0 Skttftfs.
ACHRIsfMAs GIFT.
BY ADGEE CAREY.
lcontinuued from yesterday.l

Continued from yesterday
mo. There was q relative, . young
lady. that she provided for with some
money, but owing to an unfortunate clause
or command, that could not be fulfilled,
this person was rendered portionless. l
have been making all efforts to find her. ~
"Is this the trouble that sends you
away 7''
Mr.. Mollineaux flushed under the Others
keen eyes.
II have placed the matter in the hands
of a shrewd lawyer. and think now that
he will find the lady 1t seems that we
can not live at Mollineaux Manor together.
SO shall leave it for her pleasure. can
do very well.''
vernon, why do yen not marry? You
young men are very foolish, think. You
spend your best years in rowing. and.
when you are queer and full of whims,
marry some woman to torment. and won
der that you are not happy. Come, now.
there is good suggestion"
"It was plan of marriage that made
the trouble"
''And you refused ?"
mo. it was the lady"
"What objection could she have to you,
Vernon MolliDeaux? or good age. well
looking, certainly, and pleasant tempered ;
that can certify to. What more did she
want? You are fool to give her an
other thought. Enjoy your Manor, look
ND some sensible woman, and let her do
the best she can Miss Delphy, will you
pour some more tea 4? Yes, l say what
else could she want, unless you did not
Cacnx- har and aha knAu IL otp
Vernon Mollineaux glanced up. had
turned my face away from Mr.. Travers,
and of necessity it was towards him. For
an instant our eyes met.
"She must have known that liked her.
She gave me no opportunity to love her.
Still, If she could not love me, it was all
fair enough. There is not justice in pun
ishing her for what was impossible.
yet, don't see why you 60 away"
IF she refuses finally to marry me, her
into various requests. There is nothing
shall insist upon her accepting home
there with my cousin. 1t was an unjust
and arbitrary will, and feel as if had
been the cause of much suffering to her. :"
but you can not find herp' and Mr..
Travers looked up, perplexed.
81 learned something to-day that may
be of use to my lawyer"
They were through with their supper
now, and l began to carry away the
things, but Mr.. lravers, still interested,
pursued the subject. l lost the bits of
argument from going in and out. but
was thankful for any change.
Did Vernon Mollineaux care? How
could man love at the bidding of an
other? Was it not the money, after all !?
Yet I could not deny that Mr.. Mol
lineaux had been very courteous and gen.
tlemanly from the beginning. And it
touched me that he should have been max
ing plans tor my comfort. Should l mar
nv Mr.. Travers, and escape him and his
kindnessp
MIR Travers," I said. coming back,
'.you will not hardly need me for an hour
or So"
Yes; you were going to church," he
interrupted. Ito see what Christmas Eve
is like to happy young people
But Josephine has gone out, and Mrs.
Wilburton is not willing to have the house
left alone. Besides. | think she would
not care to try the cold.'
ALLOW me to accompany Miss Delphy
Nay, would much rather. | want to say
half dozen words TO her that my past
friendship gives me a right to. We will
not be long away. Get your wrappings,
Miss Pauline"
had not the courage to refuse. The
explanation must come and better any.
where than with Mr.. Travers' ewes upon
me. went as one in maze. What was
it that objected to in Vernon Mollineaux
Perhaps, if had not been so thrust upon
him
We walked out of the wide hall, through
the courtyard. into the street. Then he
drew my hand through his arm. until
seemed absolutely sheltered by his tall
figure. The bells had done ringing now
but there was wonderful sense Of soft.
ness brooding in the air. l thought OF
and trembled with great presentment.
voice. miss Delphy. Pauline. did fate
send me here tonight? You were given
to me last Christmas"
''Itwas because of that" interrupted
angry in an instant, my eyes filling with
indignant tears.
Perhaps it was not gracious giving
L WOuiu Ialn nave nau IL uiuerent. Wnen
you were a little girl. too young to think
OF lovers and marriage, l loved you
very much. Your aunt saw it and
made this proposal. should have
rejected it with scorn, no doubt, but had
fancy for the child. and a desire to make
some human being happy. However, my
plan failed. Since you will not share
Mollineaux Manor with me as my wife,
want to make some provision for you a
one would for dear sister. Will you moi
forgive those untoward circumstance, and
let us be friends, at least?'
was disarmed at every point. Anger
and indignation were swept away; had
been fighting an imaginary lion. and there
was nothing for me but an ignoble capitu
ulation of some kind.
81 did not dream of your going away
secretly or should have made some offer
some
II believe was hasty," / murmured
"but I thought"
THAT you we're to have no choice in
the matter" and he laughed gayly. "Il
l had not wanted you, you see, could be
quite contented with the home of my
fathers. But am not"
al want you 10 stay and be happy 7"