Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-24
Gales aud Sketthes.
THE TURN OF An ACCIDENT.
Continue from yesterday. }

by this not over judicious appeal. and as
soon as her duties as hostess would permit
left the room muttering under her breath
something John did not catch. He was
too sleepy to care particularly about the
matter. and presently went to bed. when
dreamless slumber drew her veil over the
davis vicissitudes.
Hurrying out to the barn next morning
in the best of spirits. low sobbing sigh
called his attention to a bench outside the
kitchen door. where sat figure crumpled
I'D into a forlorn little heap, in which he
recognized the pretty maid OF the day be-
fore. She wore her bonnet, and bundle
lay beside her. Her face was hidden on
her arms which were crossed on the back
of the bench.
why, what's the matter" said Jonn,
turning back.
The girl looked up with start. l
be- your pardon" she faltered. I'm
Just going. | didn't mean to stay so
long
Going Where?"
Il don't know where" she said defect
eddy. I'D try for another place. only
there doesn't seem much chance OF get
ting one without recommend.
DO you mean to say that they are
sending you away from here ~
Yes
But in the name of goodness. why?"
II don't know Mrs. Nash says she
don't like servants to have about who are
suspected of stealing" The blue eyes
filled again as she spoke and she hid her
face.
"Bv George | never heard of such in
Justice in my life," shouted John. Now,
Lucy, if that's your name, you just sit
still where you are. Don't You stir or
move till | come back. I'll see Mrs.
Nash. III put things right"
To put things right seems easy enough
to strong, hearty man, with justice and
argument on his side, but that is because
he does not calculate properly on those
queer bitches and crochets of human
nature, especially woman nature, which
have no relation to justice and fair deal
ing, and are unaffected by argument Mrs.
Nash proved impervious to Johns choic-
est appeals. Her mind was made up ;
didn't want TO hear any more on the sub
ject;" finally, her temper rising, what
business was it of his?" she demanded.
what help she kept, or if she kept any at
all P" He'd got his pocket-book back; ac-
counts were squared between them; there
was no further call so far as she could
see. why he should NEEDLE with her con-
Germs. The upshot OF the interview was
that John flew out of the kitchen with his
tpce as red as fire, tackled his horse,
threw vaise and feed-bags into the
wagon, flung the amount of his reckoning
on the table, and addressed Lucy.
who, pale and terrified, stood, bundle in
hand, prepared for flight, calling out:
Now, then, my good girl, you've lost
one place by my fault, and I'm darned if
| don't offer you another. Will you Jump
into my wagon and 60 home with me?
My old woman's been talking this long
piece back of getting a smart girl to help
her along when she's laid up with rheu-
matics; so you're just the one we want.
She'll treat you fairly enough. I'll be
bound, and you shall have whatever you
were getting here. And if you behave
yourself, you'll be well used. not turned
out of doors for nothing; III engage to
that it isn't the way up in our parts"
with a vindictive look at the landlad,,
who stood rigidly planted in the doorway.
1--WE don't set up to be extra Christians,
left among us, which is more than can be
said for all places. Well. what do you
sayP Yes or no. There's my hand on it,
if it yes"
lie held out his broad palm. Lucy
hesitated, but for a moment only.
Yes, WILL" she said. I've nowhere
else to 90, and you seem kind
Another moment, and they were driv-
ing off together down the maple shaded
road, whose yellow and crimson boughs
danced overhead against "Octobers bright
blue weather" There were peace and
calm in the fresh stiffness of the early
day. Gradually a little color stole into
Lucy's pale cheeks, and Johns hot mood
gave place to his wonted good humor aud
cheer.
you've had no breakfast, I'll bet," he
said. with SMILE And no more have
|. | was so mad with that woman that
couldn't swallow a mouthfnl, but now
begin to feel sharp enough. Well stop
at the next tavern, Southwick, isn't it?
Five miles and halt. Can you hold out
till then ?''
"Oh. yes indeed" with grateful look
out of the blue eyes.
Johns tone grew more and more friend
ly.
We'll have something hot and hearty
there" he said. You look pale guess
you didn't sleep any too much last night ."
"Oh. couldn't sleep at all. Mrs. Nash
told me that | must 90 the first thing in
the morning. and felt so badly"
Il shouldn't think you would want to
stay with woman like her"
but it's so dreadful to have nowhere
to 60 to; and, besides"
She stopped abruptly. with look like
terror in her eyes.
Have you no friends, them" asked
John.
mo"
The tone was very reserved; but re-
serve could hardly fail to melt under so
sunshiny presence as John Boyd's. and
before the long days ride was done he
had won from her the main facts of her
story.
Lucy Dill was her name Her mother
had married for the second time when Lu-
cy was II years old. and three wears ago.
when the girl was barely Is. had died.
leaving her to the protection of her step
father.
"She didn't know what kind of a man
he was" said Lucy. And he wasn't
that kind of a man when she was alive.
| was too Young TO notice much and