Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-12
Gales aud Skttfhts.
II NJ FIRST WIFE

.Lesbia hath beaming eye"
my dear Frank! | am glad to see
you" -
burst into tears. -,
.Lesbia has not beaming eye" cried
Frank Reston, barrister. who had just
leaped down from the dog-car after colo
drive from the station at Ramford, to his
brother-in- laws handsome place, the Cop
nices. Calkstnn, where that new relative
had settled after his return from Australia,
where he had been sent-the younger son
of y good old country family-to see what
he could do as what is euphoniously
termed a souatter. He had squatted to
some advantage, the fates having been
Kind and. after making moderate for
time he had suddenly doubled it by mar
wing the widow of colonial magnate.
| Al the lady's desire-her Will being
paramount-they were on the way 70 Eng,
land, when one night they were awakened
by an awful crash, and. rushing on deck;
they found all in confusion. Some vessei
had run into them during the fog, cut the
great Austral liner down below the wa
ter's edge. and during the next half hour
there was fight for life. -,
| John Audas behaved admirably. When
the rush was made for the boats, ne
knocked down half dozen towards one
after the other. and by sheer strength
helped the captain to send off the first boat
nroperly manned, with half the women
passengers, merely STIMULATING that his
sbriekino elderly wife should be one.
Then he helped with the next, and got
that off safely, before being overpowered,
for a mad rush ensued, the other boats
were filed anyhow. and at last the captain,
second mate. half dozen men and the
brave young passenger were lett alone on
the deck of the sinking ship. with just
time enough to lash few spars together,
throw them overheard. and trust them
selves to this frail support before the ves-
sci went down.
From this raft they were picked up ex-
hausted, half dead. by passing ship. hav-
ing seen no more Of the boats, all OF which
we're lost, presumably in the gale which
came on before many hours had passed;
and thus it was that John Audas found
himself widower at thrty-five, and far
from inconsolable, for report said his ex-
istence with the colonial magnate had
been kind to which people give a very
unpleasant term.
So little indeed was the handsome Young
colonist affected by his loss that. after set
Ting down at the Coppices, where he
revealed in the lite of a country gentle
man. year had hardly passed before he
was sutton for the hand of Lesbia Res
ton, the daughter OF the cd vicar of Calk-
ton, and the belle of the county ball.
Matters followed one another in the
most prosaic way. John Audas was be-
yond reproach for n-iIi-law; his WOO
ing was downright and honest; the lady
found the bluff. sun-browned, well-in-
formed fellow-albeit he was far from
clever-qui,e a contrast and relief after
the insipid "locals" of the neighborhood !;
intimacy. John Audas proposed, was ac-
cepted, Frank Reston came from the TEN.
pie to be present at his sisters wedding,
and now, that six months later, he had
run down to the Coppices to have little
shooting. he found her thin. pale, care
worn, and ready at word to burst into
tears.
why, little Lesby," he cried, with all
his old petting ways. "what is it? Sure
", Jack is not behaving badly to you ."
mo. Oh no! 1t is nothing. Frank;
am little hysterical."
But it is something" he exclaimed
IN have it out with John"
"Mv dear Frank. you'll make me
wretched if you say word"
"Oh, well-if you take that tone, OF
course | will not" said her brother; 'but
| came down here for rest and to have d
bit of enjoyment, and find you in tears"
Eyes. yes, and it's all my nonsense
Frank. dear. There. it's all gone. now
It's the weather. think"
| "Where's John?"
EITHER in the stables. or down the gar
den. dear. I'll send for him."
"Oh. III go and look him up. suppose
he'll be glad to see me 9''
why, of course. dear. He has beer
talking about nothing else since he heart
you were coming, and making no end o
plans"
"Ah. that's right said Frank Reston
smiling.
"And I'm so glad you've come, Frank
dear. You see. I'm afraid I'm not mucl
of company for dear John-not as goo,
company as--as ] think his first wifi
was"
well, you're deal better compan,
than she is now"
II try very hard to take an interest il
his pursuits; but I'm so stupid. Frank
that I'm afraid, he's got all out of pa
tience."
'I'll tell you what it is, Lesby," sal,
Frank Reston bluntly; ''it yon two peopl
can't be happy in this glorious place, witt
every luxury about you. and only to speal
to have whatever-you deserve-there,
don't know what you don't deserve"
'Yes, dear. we do" said the lady
meekly. ''Ah. here comes dear John
I'll run away; don't tell him I've bee
crying -
"Stuff! Is it likelyr"
"And pray, pray Frank. don't let hin
think that | have been murmuring.
would make him so unhappy"
AS she spoke she ran off, and Fran
Reston crossed the hall to meet his stall
wart brother-in-law, who looked the bea
ideal of country gentleman, and a strik
ing contrast to the pale, careworn student
fresh from his gloomy chambers in town
| "Ah. Frank. my dear boy. am glad t
see you. Why you pale. bleached book
worm--here. come out in the open all
and let's get some color in your cheeks,
Come and have a look at the dogs.
They went and had look at the spler
did settlers and retrievers in their kennels
and as Reston admired them:
"Ah," said Audas, elf nv first wife ha
haep alive how she would have idolivo