Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-06-10
Gales aud Sketfhes.
BETWEEN fwo STOOLS.
CHAPTER 1.

CHAPTER I.
Il have something to tell you. Mary"
Mary Ranley let her work fall into her
| lap, and looked up al the speaker. She
was a tall, slim, dark-haired woman of
seven or eight and twenty. with plain,
patient face, and wistful eyes. She wore
dress of quiet gray tint, and the room
in which she was seated was furnished
with all the good taste that nowadays is
/ consistent with strict economy. She had
not single claim, in feature or coloring.
to any of the acknowledged forms of pref
tiness, and yet something about her would
have compelled a second glance from
those who had obtained a first.
well, Tom what is it ?'' Her face soft
ened as her glance fell on Tom Danvers,
| handsome, blue-eyed, tair-haired Tom,
whom people spoke of only to praise.
I They had been playfellows, these two.
who were alike only in years. They were
/ lovers now, and they would be husband
and wife some day. at least that hope had
beautified existence for both of them dur
ing seven years. Seven years tits big
slice out of the best part of the allotted
three score and ten. though it was only
lately that one of this faithful pair had be-
gun to think so. The other had not thought
OF it yet. ''What is it you have to tell
me?"
Tom crossed the room and bent over
her to stroke her hair. The movement
was a caress, and then it enabled him to
avoid her eyes.
Il have been offered an appointment at
Rangoon."
AT Rangoon.'' She echoed the words
without an intonation of surprise. That
| is-?"
..In Burmah. As if You did not know
that and everything else my little scholar !;
and Rangoon is big place with openings
for lots Of fellows. Stephens has written
if YOU don't mind. that shall 90 out there
in month or two"
Mary Ranley did not answer In the
pause that ensued she heard the purring
of the cat on the hearth, and smelt the
faint odor of the mignonette growing in
the window box. She knew quite well
that the linnets outside were piping to the
roses, and that Tom Danvers was waiting
for her answer; but she also knew that
her pulses were growing fainter, and that
the weight of a long-dreaded blow had
fallen.
'.Are you not getting on here ?'' she
asked after a pause. IL thought you told
me that your work was increasing; |
thought you respected that we might marry
in the spring.
at was all mistake due to my con-
founded hopefulness. l got a new case
or two when Smithson was away for
his holidays, but he holds the patients,
and will 90 on holding them. The fact
is. Mary, there is not scope here for two
medical men, and l knew that, though l
settled in the place when you wished it.
But have not made hundred pounds in
the past twelve months, and you know
that means failure
.'But make good deal by my teach
ing, and thought that, working together,
we might get on"
That is quite out of the question:" he
said, fretfully, turning away from the
pleading, patient eyes. 81 am not going
to have my wife drudging all day long
that we may not starve. I'll support her
myself, or do without her,
The pale hands lying on the piece of
needlework pressed each other a little,
then the sweet voice spoke softly and
firmly:
Il have been thinking often lately,
Tom, that you would be wiser to do
without me. You see we have known
each other so long that we have really
grown to be more friends than lovers, and
am far older than you in reality, though
not perhaps in years, and so I cannot help
believing at times that our engagement
has been a mistake"
'.Oh, YOU do, do you P" wrathfully.
"You see it has lasted seven years now,
and in seven years. you know. your science
teaches that we change completely. and so
think. Tom dear, that it would be far
better if you planned your future without
letting any thought of me hamper you. |
am safe enough. you know; the high
school pays me comfortable salary, and
have grown accustomed to the routine of
life with Mrs. Gillet, and so, dear, can
offer quite honestly to set you Free She
was smiling at him bravely and her ewes
were clear and bright, but she had an idea
that her heart was weeping.
"You are tired of me. suppose? You
imagine that am likely to be failure,
and you women care only for success he
answered bitterly.
Il suppose that the working ones of us
know that success comes some time to the
steady and patient she said. the first
hard tone sounding in her voice.
''And have not been either?"
Dear Tom. don't imagine that | wish
to find fault or critcise, love You far too
well for that; there is no one in all the
world rs dear to me as YOU are. But do
you not think yourself that our engage
ment has been too protracted to seem
hopeful now? You don't feel it as do
it seems to take all my strength away to
see our life together always slipping
farther and farther Off"
If | make things worse for you, of
course that alters matters" His face had
lost IFS smiling softness, his brow was
stern and angry.
"You are my youth and my happiness,
the end of all my dreams" she said pas
sionately; 1.-The want of you will leave my
whole future barren.''
Then why need you give me up?"