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


people, as supposed ana the girl was
the most exquisitely pretty creature had
ever seen. She was so tall, 90 slim. so
round, with such fair. frank brow. such
shining brown eyes, almost startling dark,
with her bright hair and her fair complex
ion ; such a sweet mouth. such dimples,
my heart seemed to 90 out to her at once.
And she was so charmed with everything,
and 80 full of bright chatter.
Her mother was great contrast; she
was little, plsintiye, aggrieved-looking
person-one of those people who, think,
take kind of pleasure in being unhappy.
And there was an odd-looking mana
very odd-looking man somehow--tall.a and
largely made, with rugged, fair face.
very widely-open blue eyes. and a fine
head. held very high. Somehow he was
not like the usual run of our visitors. and
strangest of all, he brought in dog with
him-a handsome pug, if any pug can be
called handsome-who preceded his mas
ter up the room his wrinkled nose shifting
the air and his crooked eyes looking in
every corner.
looked at my pretty girl. Her face
was all dimpled and flushed.
The dear little doggie. Do let me hold
him for little while; am so fond Of
dogs"
Hef mother moved uneasily and pro-
tested feebly-
"Alice. dear"
The stranger turned and looked at her.
Thank y,u so much" he said. do
you really like dogsp Most ladies are
afraid OF Jack"
"Some day. some day, some day we
shall meet" Miss Verinder sang. re-
member Just how she looked; could not
wonder at the passionate admiration in
the Young mans eyes. Old woman as
was, found her pleasant sight.
"A sweet voice and sweet face" said
some one beside me. 1t was our neighbor
at dinner. He had come softly across the
room, holding his dogs leash. He stood
moment by me, and then he sat down
behind the piano, took his dog on his lap
and threw back his great head, listening
with evident enjoyment to the music. l
thought again what strengthening
man he was. Miss Verinder finished her
song. and turned around with all the pref
tv light on her face. He crossed over then
and thanked her. while the young men
looked rather superciliously at him.
II felt sure you had singing face" he
said. "Are you well off tor music here?"
mot verv," she told him and then she
asked him if he played.
Yes" he said. ut is almost the only
solace | have" He paused moment,
and then went on in such low, hopeless
kind of voice. | am almost blind"
"Oh am so sorry"
Poor man thought it ought to be a
kind of compensation to see the sweet
tenderness of the bright young face, to
hear the soft pity of her voice, He said
and then sat down to the piano.
Play, should say he did play. Never
had there been such music brought out of
our piano. A great hush fell upon the
room. Even those who did not care for
music for its own sake. were silent from
establishment.
AS to Mr.. Gorst himself, the music
seemed to transform him. He shook
back his hair, and his grave, plain face
frightened up.
Jack" sitting at his feet. kept his eyes
steadily fixed upon him, as il he under
stood it all; and as for Miss Verinder. the
pretty color grew brighter in her cheeks,
and her eyes shone. She was passionatelv
fond of music
"Odd man Don't you think so very,"
whispered Mrs Colquhon-the greatest
gossip in the house-to me. mot gen.
tleman. decidedly; actor. l should think :;
professional. certainly. Dreadful flirt that
girl is to be sure. Do you admire her ?
No. surely not"
held up my head to silence her. did
not like Mrs. Colquhon. knew her mis-
chief making tongue of old. and | caught
flash from Miss Alice Verinder's soft
eyes.
Mr.. Gorst was going to sing for US. AS
he played the first bars of 1.-The Message"
Jack gave kind of strangled howl.
He is wonderfully fond of singing"
his master exclaimed with pride.
Clearly thought. he was thorough
old bachelor, and this dog was wife and
child to him.
Well, | have heard many fine voices,
but never one think. like MIR. Gorst's.
AS 1.-The Message" rang out felt my heart
stirred within me.
A great hush fell upon the room as he
finished. One could well believe that such
a voice would "pass through the golden
Sotc. saw a SttutSS, DuONcu express
sion come over Mr.. Hardynge's face. the
quiet old bachelor | have mentioned be-
fore; and as for Miss Verinder, did not
like to look at her, I knew there were
tears in the bright, young eyes.
And after The Message he gave us For
ever and Forever, and The Distant Shore.
He would have sung all night. think, if
the loud clang of the tea bell had not
sounded out, bringing us all back to the
world around us.
He dropped his hands from the keys
quite startled.
"Oh!" it's only the tea bell. Are we
expected to eat againp But have inflict-
ed myself upon you"
Il could listen forever" said the girl.
with that soft. lovely light still upon her
face.
am foolish old woman, know; but
l caught myself hoping he was not too
blind to see it.
Miss Verinder. will you not let me get
you some tea ?" broke in the Cambridge
man. Mr.. Hoare. as found out his name
was. He had been watching the changes
in the girls face all through the singing
Well. he was old enough to be her
father, and he was almost blind. and was
grave and odd looking beside. while she
was the sweetest, freshest bit of maiden
hood. Young even for her twenty years
And yet, somehow. those two. Mr.. Gorst