Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-31

significant tare that struggling briar has
created in her gown.
| 81 am not so sure Of that" says Nor
wood, unsteadily. Monica, look at me.
Nay. you must" trying to compel her to
return his gaze, which has grown impas-
stoned.
| He has taken one of her hands in his, and
is trying to draw her nearer to him.
Release my hand" she says in low
tone, vet with so much authority that he
at once obeys her. There is strange
flash in her beautiful eyes that warns him
to dare nothing futher, and yet makes his
pulses throb madly. What strange.
proud glance it is, and yet what grief,
what anguish it contains.
II am tired" says the girl YEARLY Il
will 90 home-yes, You may come with
me; but tor the future---she pauses and
resolutely, but with evident difficulty.
forces herself to look at him-..for the
future you must promise me never again
to forget"
II promise you faithfully" interrupts
he quickly. Il shall never forget"
She signs.
Presently, turning to her almost as they
reach the cottage, he says. Are you going
to the ball at the Grange Tomorrow even
iDg?"
.No.''
..But you told me you were asked"
$50 was. | am not going neverthe.
less"
"Why?" There is terrible disappoint-
ment in his tone.
IF you must know" she says gently,
sit is because / have not gown good
enough"
THAT dress you wore at the Court last
evening
lis fossil-almost an heirloom. The
whole county knows it by heart by this
time No pride forbids my exhibiting
myself in it again.
If you asked your father"
II should have one at Once-at the ex
pense of his being even duller than usual
for month afterward. He would give me
every penny he possesses, would probably
sell some Of his dearest possessions -
books-to get me a few yards of muslin,
in which to enjoy myself tor an hour or
two. Do you think 1 should enjoy those
two hours, knowing that? What purgatory
they would mean"
They, would indeedr' he says reyer-
emily. gazing at her fair. loving face with
unaffec. ed admiration. He does her full
justice, and understands perfectly the loyal
affection that could find no happiness in a
pleasure secured at the expense OF a be-
loved object. Then he wonders why Julia,
who has more money at her command than
she quite knows what to do with, has had
no thought for the poor little cousin in the
cottage; and then am afraid he thinks
hittar hon oh Of tho ho clnht m
marry.
"You must come to see me the day al
ter the ball, and tell me all about it, she
| says lightly. secondhand to hear of il
will be better than nothing"
"Yes, | will come" he says absently-
but it is plain his thoughts are roaming.
and that he is thinking of something far
removed from the soft evening scene that
surrounds him.
The morrow passes the day dies. Night
comes on space and covers everything. At
the Grange the fiddles are sounding, bright
forms are moving to and fro; the air is
heavy with the breath of dying flowers.
II is II o'clock and the ball is well begun
the music grows sweeter, fainter; fans are
waving gently.
Down in the cottage a girl is standing
| in white gown at one OF the open win
dow and is gazing eagerly and with strain
ing eyes at certain lights that two miles
away can be seen distinctly through the
still haze of the summer night.
Yes, he is there, of course and happy
and regardless of everything but the mo-
ment. 1t is most natural. is it not? What
is there else for him to think of? She her.
sell, how dearly she would like to be there
too! She Chances at her gown and tells
herself that almost she might have gone
and then she shrinks within herself. and
refuses to confess even to her own heart
that it would have been agony to her to
have appeared badly dressed before-be-
fore-oh many people!
She signs impatiently, and the tears
gather in her eyes. and blot out the lights
shining gaily so far away; they blot out
too, dark figure that, advancing rapidly
through the few shrubs, enters the second
open window, and. crossing the room, i:
at her side before she has time to recognize
him.
| Continued Tomorrow