Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-01

morning" to each other. and then she
spoke to the dog. Z
Between her two admirers, Miss Verin-
der ought to have acquired much useful
information during that sweet summer
holiday. Young Hcare took possession
of her at once. l heard the blithe laugh
Is she answered some remark OF his.
They made handsome couple, thought
she no fair and slim. he so tall and dark
and broad shouldered. and both with that
wonderful light of youth on their faces.
HE is q handsome fellow" Mr.. GOrst
said, and / knew he had OWNED my
thought; he was wonderfully sharp, for
all his blindness.
/ scarcely knew how long | had been
writing. Il was letter to dear old
friend of mine, and had for little while
forgotten my surroundings, when Mrs.
Coluuhon's wearisome voice forced itself
on my attention.
She had exhausted her newspaper, and
Mrs. Verinder having just come in. she
had a thrilling piece Of gossip to untold to
her.
"Quite shocking. Mrs. Verinder was
so frightened could not sleep again. Mr..
Gorst, you know, he came down the cor
ridor, last night. perfectly drunk. stum-
bling over everything. He tried to burst
into my room. but fortunately l always
keep the door locked; and he felt about
his room. and talked to himself half the
night. Quite shocking, is it not? These
professional sort of people are always un-
steady, and being blind seems to make it
so much worse. Really. Mrs. Verinder.
don't you think we ladies ought to take
some steps to show what we think of such
condrct?"
Mrs. Verinder made some feeble sound
of horror. was too petrified to say any
thing.
If this was story. it was rather worse
one than usual if it was true
But what was this indignant young fig
ure that started up from my side?
at is not true, mother-I am sure it is
not true. Oh! it is shame to tell such
stories of any one Mr.. Gorst is gentle
man; he would scorn to do such things.
Oh. it is cruel People ought to spare him
at least"
The child looked transformed. her cheeks
blazing. her brown eyes sparkling.
"Alice, Alicer' said her mother.
ut is the injustice of it, mother-that
is what mind"
Mrs. Colquhon was Strengthening her
spectacles and looking at the indignant
girl with malicious smile.
| knew what a story she would make
of this. and, though | could but admire
Alice's generous championship. felt sor-
ry she should have drawn this woman's
INSCRIPTIONS tongue upon her.
She was still standing there, with her
tall. young figure drawn up, and her
scornful face. and Mrs. Colquhon had just
opened her lips for a crushing retort, when
behold, standing amongst US Mr.. Gorst
himself, perfectly calm and unmoved to
all outward appearance.
Had a thunderbolt fallen amongst us,
we could not have been more astonished.
Mrs. Colquhon's face flushed crimson, as
we'll it might. Poor. pretty Alice grew
snow white, and all the fire went out of
her eyes.
IL cannot thank you sufficiently, Miss
Verinder." he said, ''for taking the trouble
to defend me. PRAY let me apologize, ;"
he went on then to Mrs. Colquhon, for
having unintentionally heard so much
about myself. was writing letters in
VIC OtuOl Udf, anu lulcLllou vi llS-
tening when my own name caught my
ear.
at is fulfilment of the old proverb.
but have no doubt you will be greatly
pleased to hear you have made most I'M
fortunate mistake. My room was changed
last night; the lamp was not lit; my lug
gage was all about in the middle of the
floor. In my half or three quarters blind
condition, l certainly did stumble a good
deal about, and had also to speak good
deal to my dog through the night; he is
always restless in strange quarters As
for being drunk | have been water
drinker all my life. 1 must express my
deep regret for having so disturbed your
rest, but am sure your distress of mind
last night must be more than compensated
this morning by YOUR relief at finding out
am not such depraved character as you
had feared"
1t was very narrow path. just room
for two people to walk very close togeth-
err; consequently, | suppose. it was the
Lovers Walk" There were seats at
intervals, and it had MANY unexpected
turns and twists, twists as it wound round
the hill.
Coming suddenly round one of these
sharp corners. what. or rather whom did
| see just in front of me. only few yards
awayp Alice Verinder and Mr.. Gorst. He
was holding both her hands in his, and
bending over her, the inevitable Jack
sitting beside them. his foolish tongue
hanging out, his leash unregarded on the
damp ground. an expression on his face
as if he would say This is nice piece
of business" Well, | take great credit
to myself that | neither started nor
screamed; luckily neither OF them had
seen me, and I turned swiftly round the
corner almost ran the whole length home.
never stopping for breath until found
myself safe in my own room, where sat
down to think over what had seen.
II was an hour or two later. and was
still sitting in my room, but ready dressed
tor dinner waiting for the bell to ring.
when there was little tap at my door
and Alice entered radiant, blushing, hap
py. remember Just how she looked. in
pretty dress of some pale blue shining
stuff. she always dressed so prettilv.
with square cut bodice and elbow sleeves
showing her fair round arms, bunch of
white roses in the lace at her bosom. She
stood looking at me for moment. and
then she closed the door and crossed the
room swiftly, and came and knelt beside