Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-01
Gales and Sketfhes.
SECOND fH0UGRfS.
A Story in Three Chapters.
fContinuec from yesterday. }

(Continuer from yesterday
Next Mr.. StaDieton took up the letter
again and re-read it. 1t was long one
and in il Adelaide Berry had told him all
her mind. Part OF il ran thus:
81 wish d be free and to be mistress of
such house as yours. thought how
surprised everybody would be, and what
little triumph it would be for me- But
when remembered how good and hon.
orable you were. though | tried to say
Yes from mercenary motives, | could
not. And now | am glad aud thankful
that nv better self conqured. The sim
pie truth is, that had no thought OF lov-
ing you; for | never dreamed, till | re-
ceived your letter yesterday. that you
would care for me. thank, I respect,
honor you: but this would not be enough
to make me the good, and loving wife
you deserve
| Ii was No" then.
Mr.. Stapleton gave another long sigh,
rose from the chair, thrust the letter into
his breast pocket and left the room.
And then, taking his HAT and umbrella.
but forgetting his overccat, he went out
in the rain.
In the course of an honr or more he re-
turned, soaking wet through. but far more
cheerful and hopeful than when he had
set out
''She is worth having he said to him
self, as he closed the hall door behind
him, and was proceeding to The study, Il
will not give her up yet, but must have
patience; there is nothing like it. | will
wait year aud see how she treats me-
But, dear me - suddenly observing how
the rain was dripping from his drenched
garments to the floor. IL had no idea it
was so wet' and he turned again and
went in the direction of the kitchen.
CHAPTER III.-YEs.
Autumn gave place to winter. And a
very long dreary winter it was. Miss Ber-
ry thought. However. it passed away at
last, and spring came again: but she even
thought the spring drearv, also. The
flowers seemed so long coming ont. the
clouds were so many, the sunbeams so
few.
At length the summer was advancing.
1t was Il warm, sunshiny afternoon, and
Mrs. Mountebank and her companion sat in
neat. prim little parlor. sewing, the lat
ter lady moving her fingers rather lstless-
| ly. Neither had spoken for perhaps an
hour, when Mrs. Mountebank said sudden
ly, almost sharply:
Are you not feeling well. Miss Berry %
Yes, thank you madame" returned
Adelaide. the color mounting in an in
slant into her dark cheeks.
Then why do YOU not speak occasion
ally? You get more and more silent ev-
cry day. do believe! md you are as
pale and dull and dismal looking as it is
possible for person to be, should
think"
Miss Berry was moving her needle en-
ergetically enough now. There was Il
moments silence, then she reioined in a
resoiute but calm voice:
Il have no doubt that am all you say,
madame, and worse | do not
deserve any further kindness or forbear-
ance from you, for you've shown me both
and might have been received into a far
less happy home than this | have long
wished to speak. but had not the cour,
age. had better leave you. if you please
"a month from this. In strange place,
with only strange faces around me, may
have the good sense to be more contented
Forgive me- am"
But here Miss Berry's work fell on her
lap, and she covered her face with her
hands and astonished Mrs Mountebank
who thought she heard sob
my dear Miss Berry," in tone OF
mingled concern and impotence, "whal
do YOU mean? | don't want you to leave
me and what is more. | shall not take
your notice And so | tell you! Perhaps
the hot weather has tried you. Put on
your bonnet and 90 out for quiet stroll
under the trees That will do you good
dare say; and don't let me hear any
more nonsense about leaving!''
And Miss Berry dried her tears. uttered
her thanks. and did AS she was bid.
And, ten minutes latter she was slowly
walking up and down a shady field path
while heavy old oaks waved their green
branches over her head, and whispered
their sweet leaf music into her ear, anC
"couds of buebells' stretched away un
der the hedge rose land dOgrose and BRAN
BILE were Haunting their long streamers
against the clear sky. And bees were
humming, and grasshoppers chirping and
butterflies fitting hther and tnther. Ano
altogether made mp happy, living pic
ture Of a happy golden day.
But Miss Berry herself was the centre
figure in the picture of course; and she
certainly did not look happy.
She had long ago discovered that she
had made great mistake last autumn
she had been honest. she had also beer
hasty, and .'too great caution. too mucl
rashness. both alike are harmful" "Hon
or and respect for Mr.. Stapleton had by
this time developed into something IA
deeper and stronger; but. sad to say
though she not unfrequenty met that gen
tleman at the vicarage or in the village
he seemed entirely to have forgotten the
past, and simply treated her as the mos1
commonplace acquaintance might have
done.
Bnt now she paused in her walk ant
listened. What did that sound of rushing
and running mean9 Were all the COWS
in the adjoining pasture setting ont on 4
race? Why, it was Farmer Norths bull
the terror of the village! And after
whom was it rushing? But he (the buli)
could not leap the style. and
"Oh, it is Mr.. Stapleton :" Adelaide
exclaimed aloud in distress; and at the
same moment the gentleman leaped the
style. and, only little out of breath. APP
parently, was proceeding, without much
discomposure. on his way when trem-
Il. 1. 4 ..Hl II.