Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-17
Gales aud Sketehes.
BARBARA.

Il
stories of shady hooks in deep woods.
little pale face, that had been lying
listlessly on the pillow, was lifted eagerly.
..Oh. how good you are! Oh. they are
like home, my own, dear home"
Great tears rolled down the pale face.
TELL me about your home. How came
Won to leave it for the city ?" said Fannie.
INV father died, and the farm was sold
TO paw mortgage. had a little money
and / thought could find work in the
city. Besides
But here Barbara Golding stopped, and
faint. crimson blush rose upon her pale
cheeks.
Him." thought Fannie, wise in twen
ty-two years of city life and education;
"a love story"
She asked no questions. but pretty soon
Barbara said:
You have been so kind will tell you.
Perhaps you can tell me what to do"
II will help you in any way that cam
Two wears ago. the summer that | was
seventeen. father took boarder. He was
lawyer. and his health had failed from
studying too hard. think he was about
twenty-six or twenty-eight. not handsome,
but so gentle and good that we all liked
him from the first. And he would come
into the garden with me. and help me with
vegetables and fruit, because father left
that to me and would carry the milk up
to the dairy-room for me, and talk about
books and the city, and-oh Miss Pleas
anton. don't you know?"
ale made love to you ?"
Yes" in faint whisper.
"And you loved him ?''
Yes" again Il could not help it
When he went away he promised to come
the next summer, and he told me when he
made his fortune he would come to ask
me to share it,"
.'Did he come ?"
Father died the next spring, and |
came here. thought should find him,
but did not see him for long time. and
when did had become so poor, so very
poor. would not force myself upon him.
! worked as well as could, but this sum-
mer became sick. and but for you |
should have starved"
''Do you think your lover is still true to
you Pr
Il cannot tell. | would not trouble
him. Some times. after found out where
his Office was, | would pass by after dark
and peep in. 1t was beautifully furnished,
so hope he is making his fortune; but |
only whispered God bless him. and came
home
Twill you tell me his name P"
..Lennox-Cyrus B. Lennox."
Fannie Pleasanton turned her face
abruptly from the little seamstress, who
had been the object of her charity for the
last six weeks. and walked to the window.
Lifting the soft white curtains she had
placed there, she looked into the street.
while ringing in her ears was the name
Barbara Golden had just spoken.
Cyrus B. Lennox,"
She was very pale when she came
again to the bedside. but her voice vas
as steady and sweet as ever as she said:
81 must leave you, now, Barbara. but
will come again this afternoon. If you
want anything Mrs. Harper will answer
the bell"
"Yes. she is very kind But-you will
come again p''
This afternoon. Try to eat a few of
The strawberries have brought you"
She went away then stopping as usual
to tell the janitress of the poor tenement
house to care for the sick girl until her
return.
But instead of driving to the stores
where she mad intended to make final pur-
chases tor nearly completed wedding
outfit, she told the coachman to drive
home Once there, unheeding the anxious
inquiries of her aunt, astonished at her
early return and pale face, she went to
her own room, boiling the door, before
she sank down in n chair wearied with
the effort to maintain her composure.
Cyrus b. Lennox, the girl said Fan
ME Pleasanton, looking around her luxu-
rious room, saw pleasant confusion of
dress, new garments loading tables and
wardrobe. drawers overlooking with dainty
finery. open trunks waiting to be packed.
And the preparations were all for a we'd
ding in one short week. and the bride
groom-elect was Cyrus B. Lennox.
What was this story the little seam.
stress she found starving In the attic had
told herp The janitress of the tenement
house had been a servant in the Pleasan-
ton family, and came to Fannie. who was
rich and generous, whenever any distress
came to her notice. And Fannie had gone
at her last call, to find Barbara Golding
tossing in delirious fever. evidently over
worked. poorly fed. and sitting in the lit
! 'iO "'eiS Nhathoci. Chc udu paul lOT u DeU-
ter room on lower floor, had sent doc
tor. had supplied medicines. food and
care, had visited her often, till the doctor
pronounced her on the road to recovery.
And in return she had heard that Cyrus,
her own betrothed husband, was the lover
of Barbara Golding. "Does he love her
yet ?" the girl thought, pushing
back the hair from her pale face,
and looking in the mirror. 81 am far
handsomer. She is pretty only. sweet and
fair. am handsome and Accomplished
She is a pauper, am wealthy! Cyrus is
not poor now since his aunt died; but he
will rise to eminenee with my wealth to
aid him, while she will be burden upon
him. Only a week. Long before Bar
bara can ever sit up, we shall be on our
way to Europe. and he will soon forget
her. Why did he seek me if he loved
herP 1t was only a request of his aunt's.
not command, that he should marry me
if consented, But he came to me. and |
love him-I love him, Can Barbara gi, e
him better love than mine? can give
her money to return to her old home If
she wishes But ii he loves her, Oh.
Cyrus. do You love her aud not me! |
cannot doubt I must KNOW
As if in answer to her thought a servant
raped at the door. and. opening it. Fam