Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-23
Gales aud Sketehes.
DOT AND NELLIE.
Continued from Yesterday


will Be to talk over everything. but TO
tonight put every care aside and sleel
soundly, knowing you are safely houses
for this night, at least "
s'Ithink she Is an angel and an
afraid she will fly away before morning,
said Nell, In half awed whisper, - the,
stood in the room to which she had shown
them.
mo; she is better than that answered
Dot; "she is . generous true hearted
woman, who has not let her own hapPi
ness and comfort make her selfish ant
unwilling to help those who have nothing
God bless her!"
All there was to tell had been told
Mrs Ames knew all their lives. its super
abundance of sorrow, its few rays of hap
piness. The minister whose church the.
had attended wrote well OF them in answe
to Mrs. Ames' courteous note, recallin!
the fading, struggling mother. tolline
daughters, to his mind with paDg o.
remorse tor duty neglected, and hopet
they would find friends in those who hat
greatly interested themselves in their be
half.
REST and learn housework-or rathel
homework-is my first prescription,
laughed Mrs. Ames. "A contradiction
is itP Well, I'll show you how to do it
For the next three months you are to b'
my royal subjects and do my bidding
faithfully"
The girls fell into the new life with mar
velous ease.
Every duty was given its proper atten
ton. and new life and interest filled each
portion of the daily routine, and wrought
an added charm in the happy home
Dot was head of the culinary department
now, and with strong Irish girl to assist
her, she had lifted the whole burden OF
housekeeping on her own grateful shout
ders. and served Mrs. Ames with so de-
voted an affection. that insensible to her
self. that lady was fast relinquishing all
her cares into Dots grasping hands.
Chamber work aud sewing were Nell's
particular province, and all her love to
her CANCEL" as she still called Mrs.
Ames, in her heart. cropped out in con-
slant efforts to beautify everything her
fingers touched. Dainty articles she saw
in city stores haunted her brain until her
dett fingers gave them back in tangible
form, to add another charm to "the dear
home"
So happily moved the days, that spring
found letters, stronger than winter could
weave, thrown around the hearts Of Mr..
and Mrs. Ames, and they would hear no
word of change, would listen to no propo-
sal which could bring back the old days
at anxiety over faithless help and half
dol. work.
The girls were like daughters of the
house, and more than one neighbOr smiled
as they remarked that Harry Ames was
settling down wonderfully; no more wild
oats to be sown there
Sometimes as his mother noted the in
creasing beauty of Nell's sweet face. her
dainty, lady-like manners. and shy grace,
she wondered if she was doing wisely for
her "boy," as she still called him. al
though he laughingly asked her where
she would find her men. These questions
had come frequently through the winter.
but of late she had put them aside, and if
anyone ever guessed they were in her
heart, they had no clue to her decision.
At last dear friend ventured to hint
something OF the subject to the mother,
and then was proven the truth of Dots
judgment of her that first night. She was
a generous, unselfish, true-hearted woman,
and she remembered how full of anxiety
for her boy had been the winter preceding
their coming, when she had feared the in
fiuencc of a bold, wavward girl would
mar his life and blast her hopes.
That night she stole into the girls
room, and shading the lamp with her
hand, looked at the lovely face pillowed
on Dots arm, and whispered: "She is
sweet and pure! Why should they not
love each otherp" and went away, taking
with her unconsciously, the sorrow OF
Dots heart. for she too. had seen the shy
love making, and trembled lest pride
might outweigh love. But the low whis-
per had reached the sisters waking ear,
and bound new letters about her loving,
grateful heart.
And so, when one evening in midsum-
mer, Harry in aightforward, manly
way, told his parents that Nell had come
to be the one woman in all the world for
him he was made glad beyond measure by
their cheerful consent, and loving well
come to the trembling girl. who came
blushing and weeping, into the arms out
stretched for her.
Never mind, Dot You are my girl p
SAID Mr.. Ames, as he laid his hand on
her shoulder. Remember that | am
keeping you for that runaway son of
mine, who has promised to come home
this fall, surely"
II was an old joke of his that Dot was
to marry Walter Ames, his son by his first
marriage. who had spent nearly four
years now in the wilds of Oregon, and
for whom the father was growing
"sair wearie."
Walter did come that fall, came urged
by message after message OF his fathers
increasing danger, lat every available point
of communication come to stand by his
bedside for a few hours to hear his last
words and wishes, and then to look on a
calm. still face, sleeping quietly and hap
PLY in death, as they had oft seen it rest
in life.
Dot, stealing in when no one else was
there, did not know that the Borrowing
son saw the tender kiss she left on the
mute lips or heard the wailing words,
.Oh how good you have always been to
us-how good you have been ~
Just before Mr.. Ames' death, by his
wish. Harry and Nell were quietly mar
ried, and. as soon as business allowed,
Walter returned to his western home.
But he took with him an unwelcome guest,
a longing that would not be banished.
Over and over again the memory Of
Dots farewell to his father RANG in his