Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-21
Gales aud Sketthts.
A STRANGE LOVE-LETTER.
Continued from yesterday. }

Courtney deposited his candle on
small table with marble top. took up an
open book, threw himself on sofa. and
tried to read
But his wits wandered.
81 have been fool for my dreams"
he muttered s.But-but-"i in self-apo-
getic tone-"she was like her mother-it
all happened before l had time to realize
the TRUTH
He turned his eyes again to the book,
and read a few paragraphs without any
clear perception of their meaning. "lt's
a handsome lad," he said to himself, land
a good lad. too, unless his face bellies him.
She will learn, in time, to care tor him
And I-well-I am an old fogey, who
Bah how tiresome this book is! think
III go to bed"
Edwards was duly introduced by Court
ney to Mr.. Kenyon and his family. and
from that day the young man dated the
commencement of a new epoch tn his
Venetian experiences.
Mr.. Kenyon was an Englishman of
considerable means, of good social stand
ing, of genial temperament, and OF infinite
resources in providing amusements for
those around him. He had established
himself for a month, with daughter and
a ward, in spacious apartments in palace
near the Academia, on the Grand Canal;
and his hospitality had been enjoyed by a
large number of English visitors in Ven
ice.
Edwardes soon gained footing in the
house Old Pietro and young Gigi-oth-
erwise Lugi-the Kenyons' two gondoliers,
smartly attired in hveries of blue and
white. with broad, blue. fringed sashes,
greeted him. when his gondola stopped
before the seaweed covered steps of the
palace, with a cordial ''BuOn gtOrnO, Sig
nore,'' a salutation which Marie, the
French maid who received him at the
head of the fine marble staircase, transla-
ted into cheerful "Bon jour, MONSIEUR"
The rapdity with which he established
himself in the good graces of Kenyon pa
ter-familias of Mary Kenyon, the daugh-
ter. and of Lillian Stuart, the ward, was as
noteworthy as-to Edwardes, at least-it
was agreeable. No excursion from the
stately old Gothic palace by the Academia
was considered complete without his pres
ence; at no afternoon reception within its
walls did he fail to be reckoned among
the guests.
Courtney received many invitations to
join expeditions and home gatherings, but
he persistently declined them all. I'm
not society man," he answered, shortly,
when any question was raised by his ac-
quaintances as to the cause of his refus ais.
Many years earlier than the date of this
story, Courtney-then young man Of
small independent means-had been be-
trothed to a certain Mary Bartholomew,
whom he loved with all the ardor of an in
tensely earnest nature. True love started
on its course smoothly enough. But the
waters were soon troubled. Courtney in
vited to his home college friend, Tom
Kenyon, who was a merry, goOd-looking
young man, of fair abilities, fascinating
manners, and infinite assurance man on
good terms with himself and all the world.
Mary Bartholomew had known Courtney
all her life. and had deluded herself into
looking upon a friendly liking for him as
a warmer and tenderer feeling. With the
| appearance of Tom Kenyon on the scene,
the delusion vanished. Tom fell head over
ears in love with Mary, and his love was
returned. Slowly but surely the true state
of the case revealed itself to Courtney.
He uttered no reproaches. Reproaches. he
told himself, would be out of place. He
held that Kenyon was a man in every re-
spect calculated to win a womap's affec-
ton, while he himself was dull, stupid
fellow, with nothing to recommend him
but his honesty and his love- He relinquish-
ed all claim to his darling's hand he said
few words of good will-very hard to
Snaaly- IN tho frionA bo boI to1v
from him, and he turned his back for
while on England and the scene of his
sorrow. Courtney's self-banishment Was
a long one. When he had been abroad
couple of years, he heard that Mary, then
Mrs. Kenyon, had died in giving birth to
daughter. After that news reached him,
he cared less than ever to return home.
He wandered hither and thither, now in
one continental city and now in another.
When, at last, he went back to his own
country. he remained there only few
months. and then resumed life of restless
| travel, broken only by occasional flvng
visits to England. With Kenyon his rela-
| tons were most amicable his sorrow had
| always been free from Jealous bitterness
and he had spoken in simple truthfulness
when he called the man who had gained
the love denied to himself his best and
oldest friend" Whenever he was in
England he looked up Kenyon, and Marv's
little daughter made friends-atter the
| fashion of all children when Courtney
was concerned-with him at once.
Years went on so fast that Courtney.
like the Lawyers in vacation" referred to
in As You Like 1t, perceived not how
time moved" and when, in the autumn,
when our story opens, he encountered the
kenyons in Venice, the fact that Mary's
child had grown out of childhood came
upon him as great surprise. His heart
seemed tor moment to stand STILL when
a young woman with Mary's ewes laid
her hand contidingly in his, and babe him
welcome in Mary's voice. Then and
there his fate was sealed. An absorbing
love-a love in which was great ele-
ment of pathos-for Mary Kenyon took
possession of his heart He realized.
sadly enough, the disparity of years be-
tween Mary and himself; he had small
faith-circumstances had shaken his faith
in his power to inspire affection; and
yet. side by side with his fears. a new
hope had entered his life, and in its light
all his future seemed TRANSPORTED. But
the hope was destined soon to fade.
Courtney had scarcely discovered how
eager sutton he was for Mary's hand.