Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-11
Galts artS Sketfkts.
So ss.sLr wsx.
fcontiuned from yests rdxy.

~ ~obeDA
fContiuned rum yeste rdxv.i
There was . difference to her in the
aspect Of things. doubtless; but. il there
were she never made others feel il. But
now that broken romance Was all over.
But there are some events which never re-
cede into the past; they live forever
in a perpetual now. although one
may agree with ones self TO behave as if
they had never occurred.
Now. James Grafton had had . broken
nance OF his own in early life. Gentle
Death had taken his s.Lenore." leaving n
wound in his heart which. although deep.
bad no bitterness in it. So it had healed
very fairly it was Difference to Miss Bells
feelings. not bis own. that had kept him
silent hitherto, for in truth he was very
much in love with her. and had been tor
some time past. James Grafton had
promised to dine in Tulip-tree lane the
day after his sisters wedding. He read
Lettie's note over three times before he
started.
Its that likes that makes me hest.
tate," be said to himself. as he began to
descend the hillside BY = broad highway.
.'Or, perhaps" he ventured to hope pres
emily, perhaps the like was only Lettie' :
modest way OF putting loves Lettie was
always 90 modest. Yes, yes, it may he
50. And yet--why not % And his thoughts
REQUIRED to that other time when he had
asked his Lenore what he now wanted to
ask Eunics Bell.
That other time-ah then he had been
young. impctnous, nadly in love. Then
he had had no need to ask himself ques-
tions; then he had been only too sure
Now, going down the hin 10 the house
where Eunice Bell lived. he was full Of
doubts and fears and hesitations. I'VE,
why not P' he asked himself, as he turned
the corner into Tulip-tJee lane.
He had grown very fond Of that lane
As he turned the well-kDown corner, j
was to him as If he was in the presence o
a familiar friend and counsellor; it wa!
as II be had asked-".Yet why not ?" Il
some one else than himself And every
thing in the lane seemed to hush his fore
bodings, and saw with curious, all-per
vading soothingness-"Why doubt?'
Beyond the low hedges there were mile!
and miles of smiling. undulating English
landscape. full Of infinite calm and gen
biOhCSo. 1AOW IL hbPRCuCu i C0unOt sn1
but AS James Grafton walked sOberly
through the lane. all hesitation fed away
and his face grew as restful as his hear
had suddenly become. And was not tina
kindly face. with its strange and winning
touch of purity, one which good woman
could hardly fail to love? The inevitable
young couple who haunt the lane passed
him; he did not covet their happiness, a
l.x. a ITO a L., L
self. A turn of the road showed him thu
house where Eunice Bell lived; large
old fashioned house, dignlfied bat home
like. From the lawn rose a stately cedar
Beside the dark cedar was great tulip
tree covered with pale blossoms. Th'
voices of children at play reached hin
from behind the old red wall of the gar
den. With them came All! what via
that Her voice. James Grafton felt hi
pulse quicken As he fastened his step
toward the house. In fancy he saw he
out there under the tree the guardian o
the little group of children. Propitiou
moment. Now II he could but seize it
And eagerly, as IL for the first time in biz
life, he hurried on to meet his fate-hi
fate that at that very moment was rushing
how surely. how swiftly. to meet him!
While James Grafton had been coming
through the lane, the object of his thought
and affections, Eunice Bell. had been sit
ting. just "a he had imagined, and as HI
had often seen her. within the shadow o
the great trees. She was dressed for din
ner. in half-toilet OF some soft dove
colored. summer-like fabri,. She was ter
years younger than James Grafton. al
though for the last two years she had con
sidered herself distinctly an old maid
Her hair was soft and fair. Her fgur,
tall and slight-a little too slight perhaps
Her lace was very placid. At the momen
James Grafton had turned into the lane i
was grave rs well as placid. Presently
twas it because she know by the striking
Of the church clock that he must b.
coming nearerO thought made hel
smile. She was thinking of James
Grafton. then; telling herself she liked
him. feeling that somehow or another the
idea of being always an old maid was i'm
perceptibly melting. us it only friend
ship just touched with sentiment, or does
he really care for me P'' The question
pleased her. but she knew the answer per
fectly well; she knew he cared for her
Then she sighed; her lips halt curled will
scorn. but not scorn for him. No ont
Except bis sisters-in-law) could regart
James Grafton with anything but profound
respect. "Rest. trustfulness AID love
All. have sometimes thought them idl,
words; but to see the smile Of this goot
man is to know"
She never finished the sentence.
'Auntie auntie see, there's Mr.. Graf
ton" q little voice cried gleefully: ant
Eunice Bell. raising her eyes. which hat
been fixed on the grass at her feet, saw
! James Grafton crossing the lawn. and the
children all scampering toward him a.
fast as their chubby legs could carry them
Eunice rose and followed them. Laughing
gently At the earnestness with which tn,
little things rifled his pockets Of thos,
sweets which a many -nephewed-and- nice
ed man is never without, if he knows hi
duty and IT,