Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-22
Gales arro Skftfbts.
FoRfTyI's WHEEL.
BIZ THE AUTHOR OF MOLLY BAws."


don't know" returns the girl dreami-
", answering some questions; bot her
mind has evidently wandered from it and
Is lost in sad labyrinths of its own crea-
ton. She is sitting amid the scented
clover-a great grove OF pine trees max
ing fragrant background-and has taken
her knees into her embrace. Her large
earnes, eyes are full of intensity almost
terrible in one so young and fragile. and
are fixed upon the break in the view
through which the ocean can be seen, as
it lies moaning down below
In her lap a heap of dying roses are
emitting the sweetest perfume. Half-for-
gotten they are lying there, though pluck ed
an hour ago to adorn the quaint old
Wedgwood Jars in the drawing-roOm-
That love you?" says the young man
who is stretched at her feet upon tae grass,
gazing into her preoccupied face with q
curious intentness. Evidently his pro-
longed stare distresses her; she fushes
delicately. and turns her head away.
Let US talk Of something else" she
says, with poor attempt at lightness.
Afterwards, If you will. But first l
must get TO the root of your mysterious
speech" returns he. shifting his position
20 as to bring his eyes again to bear upon
her ayerted face You have almost told
me that you don't believe in my love tor
you"
Not quite that"
Eyes, quite that. as it seems to me. l
want you TO explain why"
How can ~ Even to myself an ex-
PLANTATION would be difficult; and to you
=. She hesitates her head is bent now /;
her slender fingers are toying nervously
with the roses in her lap; the pale flash
of moment since has deepened into a
burning crimson. Still pitilessly he keeps
his eyes upon her face, as though her
childish confusion and distress afford him
some inward amusement. With persis-
tence that amounts to cruelty he watches
each variation of her mobile features. find
ing, in thus studying her transparent
mind. q selfish pleasure not to be forgone.
go on" he says, evenly. ITO me-
why will you pursue the subject ?"
she asks, TREMENDOUSLY, raising her large
eyes to his for a moment.
..Becouse | wish it," returns he, still
smiling. Under the smile. however. there
is a touch of mastery beneaths which she
moves uneasily.
IF you will have it, them" she says,
''it is this: there are moments when
think you love me there are moments
when seem to know it-but there are
many moments when | doubt your power
TO be faithful"
He throws himself back on the grass
and laughs aloud. Perhaps he has not
seen the agony on her young face or the
wasteful longing to be contradicted in her
beautiful eyes.
What baby you are. Vera! And 30
you think, with the little wisdom bred in
your pretty head in this old-fashioned
grange or borrowed from the village
down below-you can read Inc through
and through and silt my character with
ease. Well think so still"
such thought is torture" returns she
in a low voice, desolated by touch of
tenderest passion. Tell me rather that
my doubt is false"
"A taste of punishment will do you
good" retorts he. smiling still and pinch
ing her little shell of an ear in gay
fashion. Tut. let us now speak OF that
something else you were so eager for a
while ago"
A sudden. curious flash lights her eyes
her nostrils dilatc. 1t is but momentary
thing and then is gone.
well, what shall it be about ?" she
says calmly.
You. of course; what other subject do
] care for?" says Stainer. quickly. Per-
haps he has seen that sudden flash
"You don't ask me what ! care for"
saws the girl slowly. her manner still a
little strange.
"Because-was | wrong ?-I believed I
would be your first thought. as you are
mine And. surely. You should take
precedence in your discussion
Her newborn anger dies. A heavenly
expression comes to her soft face as she
turns it upon him
TO think you must leave me this very
evening"" she says.with tears in her eyes.
"Only for little time"
You are glad to go back to your Lon
don with side glance at him full of
suppressed reproach.
Il can be glad of nothing that takes me
away from YOU" There is real feeling
in his handsome face as he says this
"You know that. at least. Vera ?"
For answer, she holds out one hand to
him. which he kisses lovingly; and still
holding it, drags himself even nearer to
her over the swayiug grass.
''Still you love the town." she says,
jealousy.
"Well-I like it,"
Yet when your uncle. over there
pointing vaguely in the direction of some
wooded lands on her left. dies, you will
have to live down here the most of your
life"
ii shall have you then,' says Stainer.
"Ah! yes. But if you prefer the town.
What pity it is that could not GO there
with you"
1T wouldn't suit you." says Major
Stainer slowly. "You are onl v a little
violet-the more charming to me'-hasti-
ly-"for that, but you would. fear. feel
yourself lost in that big world you speak
Of"
Not lost, with you." SAYS Vera. uncer-
tainly. Somehow her great eyes. resting
on him as they do with soft question and
wonder in their depths. put him out wo-
fully. man of the world though he be.
"Of course. not in that sense" he saws.
but YOU have no idea how different you
are from the women one me cts up there -
Are they so very lovely?" asks the