Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-20
Gales aud Sketthes.
"a WOMiN'S LOVE"

II can't imagine, Estelle, how you came
to be so decidedly plain; beauty is rather
characteristic of our family" here
Marc Darcy glanced with a satisfied air
at his handsome face reflected in an OPP
posite mirror, while slight flush arose
TO the dark, almost swarthy cheek of the
Young girl seated vis-a-vis to him. and
the delicately-shaped hands trembled
slightly as they sought to continue the
work they were occupied with.
Il believe you favor your father?"
continued the gentleman.
"Yes. am like my father. He was
not handsome, but so noble. so good. l
was so proud of him. l never thought
about his looks. | am sorry, more for
your sake than mine, that am not beau
tiful. Your wife should be, but Marc"
with quick. impulsive movement, the
young girl knelt down beside her be-
trothed and laid her lips caressingly to
his hand, adding:
You will not love me the less ? You.
who are so handsome. who could have
chosen from so many, yet asked me to be
your wife. You are all the world to me,
Marc. No one could love you more than
l."
With rather an uneasy laugh Mare
Darcy, placing his arm about his COM
panion, replied:
Tears, Estelle Why. what has come
over you ? 1t Just happened to strike me
that it was rather strange that you were
not as beautiful as the rest OF the women
in our family; but then you have some
redeeming points. Pretty eyes and good
teeth-no small items towards good looks,
can assure you, my dear"
A pleasant look crossed Estelle's face
at the last words of her intended land, twin
ing both her arms about his neck, she
said:
And you don't mind it so much if
am plain You will always love me ?'
''Of course SHALL came the reply as
Marc kissed her lightly on the forehead,
adding. half-laughingly
Perhaps, Estele. shall put your love
to test some day. Will it fail me, won
der?''
Raising her head from its resting place
upon Mares shoulder, Estelle's eyes
sought his.
There was a strange intensity in their
dark depths as she answered slowly, as
if weighing each word;
Il do not think you quite understand me
or my love for you, Mare. 1t is as the
breath of my life; yet If ever | came to
believe that it was for your happeness for
me to give you up, would do so at any
cost to myself"
Before Marc could reply, Estelle had
passed quickly from the room
With shrug of his shoulders, he Sc
ected cigarette from handsome en-
broidered case, thinking:
what a strange girl Estelle is. She
is right. | don't believe do understand
her; poor little thing. how earnest she is.
| should not have spoken about her plain
ness, but there it is there is no denying
it. However, as she is to be my wife,
suppose will have to make the best of
it. III buy her the handsomest bracelet
| can find for a peace offering
Mare Darcy was an only son. Hand
some as an Adons, with a fascinating
manner, which. when he chose to exer-
erciSe it, few could resist. Mrs. Darcy
had been left widow with considerable
property, but her sons extravagant drains
upon her purse had greatly rednced her
income.
Mare was not by any means bad fell
low, simply seishly indulgent toward
himself, Estelle Merton was daughter
of cousin of Mrs. Darcy's. On the death
of her father, which occurred about IS
months before my story opened, Estelle
had taken up her abode at Sunnyside, the
home of Mrs. Darcy. Aunt Margaret, as
Estelle always called her, was her only
relative, and had made the orphan girl
very welcome, being kind hearted
woman, although somewhat narrow mind
ed, with but one engrossing idea-her
son.
Estelle had been an inmate of Mrs.
Darcy's home only few weeks before
the thought came to the widow. how
nice it would be it Marc and Estelle
should fall in love with each other. Mares
debts were pressing heavily upon her.
Estelle could so easily pay them off out
of her large fortune, for she was an heir
ess
As Estelle's husband, Mares future
would be provided for, and when her time
came she would die feeling she had done
well by her boy.
Estelle was a passionate admirer of
beauty, and, almost ere she was conscious
of it. she loved Mare with her whole soul
and Marc at his mothers instigation had
carelessly drifted into the situation of
Estelle's lover.
OF too noble nature to see aught but
the good in others, Estelle never dreamed
that it might be her money, and not her
self. that had induced Marc to choose
her for his wife. Some few weeks after
the opening of our story found Mrs. Oar
cy and Estelle seated at breakfast, Mare
had run up TO town for day or two.
AS Estelle returned letter she had Just
been reading to its envelope, Mrs. Darcy
remarked: From your friend is it not,
dear" Does she say when we NAV ex-
pect hcr?'
Yes. she writes we may look for her
tomorrow by the 2.40 train. Oh. aunt!
think how sad it is for her, left alone so