Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-22
Gales and Sketthes.
A STRANGE LOvE-LETTER.
Continued from yesterday

Continued from yesterday
"You have not been to see us for ages"
"I-I have sent substitute" stammer-
ed Courtney He had taken Mary's offer
ed hand, and held it in his own, while he
spoke his eyes never left his companions
face he saw nothing and no one, but the
owner of that sweet face, with its quiet
smile and its confiding grey eyes.
"A substitute ?''
..Edwardes, the young man whom you
allowed me to introduce to you, is here
often, is he not?''
..Mr. Edwardes-oh, yes. But" in the
impatient tone of one obliged to utter a
truism, 'new friends are not substitutes
for old ones, Mr.. Courtney"
care they not, childp" pleased look
came into Courtney's eyes. He drew
Mary's hand through his arm, and led her
out upon balcony, looking over the wa
ter. "Since we meet so seldom, ''he said.
drawing forward chair for her, and seat
ing himself by her side. ''it's only fair l
should monopolize you this evening, for a
little while, at least"
Time went on. Courtney had found his
power of speech; he talked on and on, in
the low, deferential voice natural to him
when he addressed a woman, and he lis
tened to Mary's answers with a marked
attention whose respectful courtesy SAVIOR
ed of the manners of an earlier date
Every now and then the splash of an oar
was heard, and gondola with twinkling
lamp glided by; sometimes the sound of
singing voices came floating down the
water.
Courtney never alluded in the course
of his conversation, to his resolve to leave
Venice. He had come here to say good
bye, and 10! he now began to tell himself
that perhaps, after all, he need not go !;
that perhaps, after all, he had nothing to
fear-his breath came very fast, when that
half defined thought presented itself to
him-from Edwardes and his lovesuit.
You will not let so long time pass
again without coming to see us, Mr.. Court
ney ?" said Mary, as she rose at last, OPP
pressed by the recollection of her duties
as hostess, to leave the balcony. She laid
her hand gently on her companions arm.
Courtney took the hand in his, mo, no,
my child" he said earnestly.
"You should remember that you are by
far my oldest friend in Venice. the only
one who knew me as child, who knew"
with change of voice.-''my mother "
Courtney still held her hand in his; he
looked straight into her eyes. "Have you
missed me, dear ?" he whispered in a
strange, breathless voice.
"Of course have missed you"
Courtney released the hand "Stay
here moment. | have something to say
| 70 - ba horan oynItad1xy 10 had
risen, and was leaning against the low
wall of the balcony; in his face was a
look of intense longing; IN his voice an
appealing, almost an entreatlng tone. A
confession of his love, of his recent fears
of his present intoxicating hope. was ris-
ing to his lips. But he had barely framed
the first word when the balcony was inva-
ded 10y two individuals. who seemed
blissfully unconscious of intrusion, who
were intent on the Venetian duty of
watching moonlight effects on water.
More guests followed. 81 have been
looking everywhere for you, Miss Ken
yon," said a mans voice. "Will you per-
NIT me to Introduce" With stifled
expression of Impotence Courtney moved
away. He was quickly captured by a
loquacious elderly lady, who bore him off
into an anteroom, and kept him prisoner,
out of sight of Mary, while she opened
on him a fire of questions and anecdotes
Courtney looked hopelessly around for
somebody to whom to resign his place.
but he could not see anyone personally
known to him; Mr.. Kenyon. Edwardes,
Mary, and Miss Stuart, were all in another
room. He did not wish to break up the
interview by leaving the house, for he still
hoped for an opportunity of saying few
words to Mary. He wondered who was
near her now. who was speaking to her,
who had the happiness of looking into her
eyes. Release was long in coming. But
at length his companion showed some
signs of departing; she arose. and Court
ney offered her his arm with alacrity, to
conduct her to Miss Kenyon, for the ex-
change Of parting courtesies Just then
Edwardes appeared upon the scene, his
face radiant with happiness. He saw
Courtney, and pulled up beside him on
his way to another room. Evidently he
was brimful of good news, and was long
ing to impart it to some one. "Congratu-
late me- he whispered, 81 am engaged -
Engaged !" in a tone of blank bewild-
erment.
"Engaged-yes-engaged to be mar
ried."
Courtney's laxative friend moved on,
minus the support of his arm; she made
him little, bow which he, in his confu-
sion, was nearly neglecting to return
How long have you been engaged?" he
asked in thick voice, as he turned to Ed
wardes.
Five minutes" Off the young man
went, too much occupied with his happi.
ness to remark that the congratulations
for which he had asked had not been
vouchsafed.
Courtney remained standing on the spot
where Edwardes had left him. A dazed
look was on his face he seemed oblivious
of time and place. But at length he
aroused himself. 'It's all over" he mur.
INJURED, drawing his hand across his ewes.
Then, without word to host or hostess.
he made his way out of the house.
The next day, on her return from an ex.
curSiOn tn TOrcel1O Misc Ramon fo,,,l .