Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-23
Gales aud Sketehes.
JUNIA'S NINETEENTH YEAR.
Continued from yesterday

A suppressed sigh was the only answer.
and they both entered the house. When
all was still. Junis crept back into her
room and sat dc wn "a the darkness to
think. She had heard all, although the
speakers, as if not unmindful of their
boarder. had spoken so low that the tones
could not have penetrated her room. She
understood at last. A loving son strug-
Cling with his ambition. sacrificing his
d. Arrest hopes rather than leave devoted
mother or sell the poor old place so dear
to her. Junia had wronged him in thought.
but brave and noble he seemed rs she
realized that he had so completely hidden
his trials under cloak of apparent con
tent. that she had never suspected he had
desire to know or to be known outside
OF Sandy Cove
A hundred dollars! What paltry sum
to her who had never felt the need of
money She longed to place thousand
at his disposal But she knew that this
proud man would accept neither gilt ncr
a loan from her. and she must supply his
need through some strategy.
In due time her lawyer in the city re-
ceived the following letter:
SANDY COvE-Dear Sir: desire to
possess certain tract of land near this
village 1t is called Rocky Points owned
bv Widow Ferris. to whom any one in the
place can direct you The land is COM
paraiively worthless. but will pay-I de-
sire to pay-S6O0 for the twenty acres.
The location is fine, and | have thought
Of building summer residence. You
know am poor school teacher l can
make no such purchases, but if you will
prospect around here, hint at a summer
residence and purchase Rocky Point. you
shall be sufficiently renumerated and
will relieve you of your purchase in due
time | need not caution you to avoid all
mention of my name, or, should we meet
here. any recognition of
Yours truly,
JUNIA ST. JOHN.
Later, stranger visited the small town
to buy land. After wavering between
Rocky Point and Tangle island till Norman
was nearly distracted. between hope and
fear. he suddenly grew enthusiastic over
the Point as he and Norman stood watch
ing the sunset light fade from the sky and
sea.
Magnificent! The finest view along
the coast. Mr.. Ferris, what will you sell
this lot tor?'
"What will YOU give me an acrep"
"Well.' and the lawyer deliberately
viewed his surroundings. 'such situa-
tim is really worth $50. but I'd be will
ling TO give you $50 cash down."
.Do YOU mean that. sir?.' asked Nor
man with suppressed eagerness.
"Whv. certainly; and if you agree to
that price. we'll make out the papers to-
morrow. Pm in hurry to get back home.
What do you say?'
"If you are satisfied | certainly am"
he replied, as in dream. and few min
utes later he was rushing over the cliff to
bis home.
He burst into the little parlor and seeing
only his mother musing in the twilight, he
caught her in his arms and cried out:
90 mother. mother! I've sold Rocky
Point for 5000"
But his voice broke He sank down in
ing hands. He had bravelv fought with
trials. but this unexpected deliverence
completely unnamed him.
norman. my boy, | never thought You
cared SO much" quavered the widow,
with her hand on his bowed head.
at was everything TO me ~ came thrill
linglv, and Junia stole noiselesslv from
the room. her own eyes full of happy tears.
AS the school year waned. Junia grew
pale and thin. Sne had worked hard and
been most successful. but it had told upon
her physical strength. and to the unani-
nous request tor her return to the school,
this fact was the excuse for her refusal
She was general favorite in the village,
and to the inmates of Cliffs cottage she had
grown very dear.
1t is said that opposite natures attract
each other. but whatever the tempera-
ment. there is always subtle sympathy
between noble minds which tends to draw
them together. This was the case with
Norman Ferris and Junia. Each saw in
the other intellectual and moral affinites. a
taste for like pursuits. the same yearning
of soul to make life useful and exalted
Circumstances may separate them, but
such natures turn to each other as natur-
ally. as the magnetic needle turns to the
north.
Junia's school closed with a grand pic
mic, a Joyous occasion. bat as the loved
teacher was to leave Sandy Cove the fol-
lowing day it closed with saddened faces
and fearful good-bves.
1t was evening. and in the moonlight
Norman and Junia were taking their last
row round the little bay The beauty of
the night, and the thought of coming sep
aration kept them silent till at length Nor
man rested upon his oars and looking
earnestly into the fair face before him.
spoke in low tones:
Have you any regrets at leaving us.
Miss Juniap"
at could hardly be otherwise when my
life here has been so pleasant. | should
like to teach another year, but fear my
strength will not permit"
You are right. You do not know how
have long to save you from this drudg-
cry. 1t is plain that you are not accustomed
to labor. and it is all the harder for YOU.
o. JLnia, let me save you from toll and
care. have little to off.r now, but nv
prospects are flattering. know am not
worthy of you. and so have been silent
all these months in which you have been
constantly in my thoughts. but love you
Juna. and cannot let you 90 away in
ignorance of it. My life shall prove it if
you will but stay with me- He paused
for her to speak. Her voice trembled a
little.
"Ihave no near kindred in all the world.
and in my loneliness your words seem
very sweet to me. but must tell YOU
secret before more is said. | am not