Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-05
GaIes a1Io Skeifkts.
BIZ NARY CECIL HAY.

Continued from yesterday
There was little to read there save utter
moodiness and discomfort.
4Is this ali you have for breakfast ~ he
said. sitting down before the little dish OF
eggs and bacon, which Nettie never
touched.
Yes, father. that is all to-day" she
said. handing him his tea. and never won
dering why he had no relish for his food.
After that he did not speak. even to an
swer Netfie. until he had finished. Then
he pushed back his chair and rose.
Late again." said he. and another
snarling IN store for me. You can go to
bed when you like to night, child. shall
not be home again until tomorrow l
suppose you won't cry over that"
"You are always away a great deal
father" SAID Nettie, with an odd little
catch in her voice. Il never 60 away at
ALL
Whose fault is that ?'' he laughed care
lesslv. IF anybody likes to take you, you
may 60"
.'ShouId you not care? ?" she asked with
a pleading usefulness In her innocent
eyes.
Not bit," he answered, llstlessly,
feeling so sure his words would not be
put to the test What would it matter
to me? Now, then. is my hat brushed ?"
When she had brought it to him she laid
one nervous little hand upon his arm.
"Open the door," he began impatiently.
7'.But say goodbye, father. You are
going away. you know"
What iragics! How many kisses do
you want?"
s'One."
Take it. then"
Father" said Nettie, looking into his
ewes with an odd, old look on her small
face, II believe if we were parting for
ever you would not kiss me of your own
free will. Would you-would you? ?"
Take your arms away. baby. When
we are parting forever you will see: no
need to rehearse it. Open the door. You
always try to make me as late as you
CAM
Standing back almost shrinkinglv, in
the little passage. Nettie watched the tall
figure turn out Of sight, but not with the
back ward glance which little Nettie would
have so gladly caught at in that moment
of doubt and indecision
The cloud shadows rolled
daintily along the smooth green lawn at
Burnside. and as they hurried on they ran
up Nettie's white dress and touched for a
moment the little thoughtful face. They
passed quickly and softly. as shadows
should pass, from young and guileless
face; yet some one stealing towards her
lancied they fingered unusually long in
the big innocent eyes. A young man this
some one was, with gay, handsome face,
from which his straw hat was pushed
back; and as Nettie sat on the grass,
thinking how sweetly yet sadly the chime
from the distant white steeple broke the
Sunday hush upon the valley, he looked
down upon her with very tender light in
his laughing gray eyes.
.'Ilow beautiful. Graham" she said.
her eyes Frightening suddenly. as he held
out delicious half-blown tea rose. us
it for me p''
Not" he answered slowly beginning
TO put it in his coat, 'unless you ask me
prettily."
Then let us come into tea"
But Graham stood where he was.
Look up ia my eyes and say, Dear
Graham, give me the flower please: : you
know exactly how to plead when you
like"
al have forgotten" she answered. with
a gentleness that was almost sad. II
have a great deal more than | want in
every way. For what should | plead ~
as it so new to you to have everything
YOU want, dear Pr asked Graham, tender
ly.
"You know it is" replied Nettie. with
little catch in her voice LET us 90
now"
Stay, Nettie," he said. slipping lower
still beside her on the grass II will leave
off now asking you OF your past lite. as
| have been so fond of doing-tond
though, only because it obliged you to
talk OF yourself, dear. OF course it was
right of my mother to insist upon your
dropping all connection with. and. if pos.
sible. all remembrance of. your father /;
but | can perfectly well understand
your own hesitation at naming
him. and why you shrink from
showing him to us in the character of q
Il mean in an unpleasant light-as you
must do when you tell us of your old life
Therefore. from this evening. Nette dear
| will never speak OF him again if car
help it, and will only try the harder to
make your home bright and happy enough
TO satisfy you, and make up to you for all
the shadows that lie behind But want
one promise from you, Nettie; that you
will never again talk of leaving us, as
you have once or twice lately. grieved me
by doing. Promise me-"
She was looking far off. beyond the
earnest. handsome face, and her parted
lips were quiveriug painfully.
You are happy with me-with us, Net
tie ?" he whispered. anxiously.
100 happy Oh! you don't know what
it is to be loved and petted and valued
alter"
81 can fancy it, dear" he answered.
when she stopped. las you can never
fancy how delicious the loving and petting
and valuing are to US, to me especially,
Nettie.'
She did not blush at his heartfelt words.
ready as her bushes were at other times
'Graham." she said. bringing her eyes
slowly back to his face. day after dav
have wanted to tell you something. and
have always been too cowardly, because
this happy life makes me shrink from
hardship and GOODNESS. But think can
saw il now Won remeu her what tho