Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-06-25

HRoN. ovBB 1uB SEA-
(Consinues: from yesterday
Miss Martha stood upon the platform
before the assembled school-sweet Miss
Martha, adored by every girlish heart in
the room. Tall and slender was she. clad
in soft gay gown Of some sprIng,hke
fabric. the fuil bandeaus of waving auburn
hair parting in an enchanting double curve
over her smooth white forhead. starry
hazel eyes with long rsy-like lashes. .
ldaiDty. clear-cut oval face. red mobile
mouth. and faint sea-shell TINT IN the
cheeks-not at all the ideal schooima am.
Il have note here.' she said in that
clear yibrant voice that never could he
tanned to the conventional monotone. in
yitipg you all to the sociable al the Metho-
dist church to night Mr.. Rowell informs
me that an old classmate OF his will be
present, and will probably be induced to
tell the company something of the mission
schools in the Sandwich Islands" Miss
Martha. looking at the note as if not quite
sure, hesitated little before pronouncing
the last word. then tore the sheet of paper
to atoms.
| ..You NAV end it interesting to CO."
( she 3QueO, Will u uOu "a itCt oSoiSsohts W
! indicate that she had finished.
The assistant struck the bell. and the
room was filed with the rustic of q we'll
ordered rising. Another stroke. and the
girls began to move slowly in single file
toward the door, while Miss Martha, seat
ed in her arm chair. gravely received
their parting salutati0ns.
At the gate . gentleman, who seemed
IL - ovsar cSoproA oasdo and loo min n
an arm upon the fence, watched with a
benevolent smile the outgoing tide of
youthful loveliness.
The gentleman, the girls decided, was
of very striking appearance. by reason OF
the gray hair thar framed face still youth
ful in contour and coloring. and, from his
clerical coat and tie, they at once deduced
the Sandwich Island missionary Of the
evening. They passed on in groups and
pairs, jostling each other and exchanging
whispered comments. accompanied by
many GOV ert backward glanees. Waiting
until the last pair was well clear of the
gate. the stranger carried out his original
intention Of entering.
Miss Martha, still seated in her arm
chair. her face turned toward the door,
and the fragments of the note held loose
" in her hand. heard the slow step upon
the cemented walk. but supposing it to be
that of Washington. the colored janitor.
she did not stir.
"Miss Dabney"'
She looked up.
..Ohr" she exclaimed. rising with a
startled look. while the bits of paper flut-
tered unheeded to the floor. "Why-it
is--a-Mr. Reid"
"Yes," he said. drawing a step nearer.
but still hesiiating as if not quite certain
OF his welcome.
But by this time she had recovered her.
self, and was once more the self-possessed
person she usually appeared. Stepping
down from her platform, she advanced to
meet him with an out-stretched hand, and
Q manner that struck Just the proper bal
ance between pleasure at meeting long
absent friend and the reserve naturally
incident to long separation.
II am very glad to see you. l didn't
know you were in town. When did you
arrivep"
This morning. l only meant to stop
over one train, but Rowell caught me,
and"
Whether inclination or courage failed
he broke of, leaving the conjunction to
hang like broken link upon the end of
his unfinished speech.
HE wonldn't let you 60 OF course"
said Miss Martha. with ready tact. He
wrote me note this morning inviting the
school to hear you speak tonight, but he
neglected to mention your name. He is
exceedingly absent minded"
"You are very little changed, he said,
abruptly. II should have known you
anywhere. 1t seems strange that we
should stand together again in this
room.''
at does. indeed, especially when we
think how widely separated we have been
for so many years"
"Has the distance been greatp Have
the years seemed long~
Wont you sit DOWN." she asked,
turning with suddenly awakened hospital
ity toward group of chairs. at is
pleasanter here than in the parlor. hate
the parlor. It is always haunted by an
echo of patronizing voices explaining the
peculiar senstiveness of Mary Ann and
the wonderful aptitude of Maria Jane"
She threw back her head with that bright
little laugh that had always been hers
at is wonderful how little changed you
are," he said, again. II am an old man
and you are still a girl"
Ito be sure." she answered merrily,
marshalling, with woman's delight in
appearing young to the man she loves.
all the resources of gayety the years had
left her. Growing old is supreme folly.
People turn their heads gray with solemn
study. and fancy they are growing wise.
To keep light heart is the only wis
DOM"
81 wish had it." he said, with the old
wistful look in his eyes. "But it is hard
to keep lonely heart light"
but the way is not to have a lonely
heart" she replied, rising to draw flap-
| ping shade beyond the reach OF the wind.
What could he mean? Had he really
not forgotten thenp Her own heart and
head grew light to giddiness still she
must take nothing for granted.
"And the Sandwich Islands," she said.
resuming her seat and bravely attacking
the name that had 30 haunted her all day.
Tell me about the Sandwich Islands,
Life must be very interesting out there.-