Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-26
Extts mud Sketfhfs.
4 HEiRf sKESCH-


Continues from yesterday.)
..Aye-Miss Cornelissen-the lady you
were with this afternoon. She didn't rec
ognize me, though am sure she knew
me-"
miss Cornelissen - echoed our hero.
ssWhat do you mean. Charley fou
have mistaken the person.
s.What do you mean, Arthur! Bless
nv soul! one is not likely TO forget that
beautiful face. nor to confound another
with it,"
..1he lady you saw in my company this
afternoon was Miss Burbank OF New
York, an orphan whom friends RECON-
mended to my uncle, the rector.
Charles Dabney drew long breath and
then whistied.
Forgive me. Arty. Perhaps I've put
my foot in it; but it can't be helped now
will tell you the truth, and you can gov.
ern yourself accordingly. 1t may be well
that you should be on your guard. re-
member now, the lady has middle name
Her mothers maiden name was Bur.
bank. Miss Kate Burbank Cornelissen
was the lady l saw upon your arm. Hell
father was Hendrick CornelissoD. the old
East India trader and ship owner. who
died four years ago, leaving his only child
heiress to three millions. A year ago she
came into full possession, and she has ned
to this secluded nook to escape the syco'
plants and noodles that beset her on every
hand. 1 understand it now. Goodness,
Gracious! Just think of it, old fellow.
A girl like that, sole mistress OF three
million dollars! And be sure it is safely
invested, every cent of it!'
Arthur Grafton returned to the rectory
in daze. He knew that Dabney had told
him the truth. Many things were
to him now easy of understanding which
had before been misty and hidden. On
reaching the house he professed to have
hesdache. aud he retired early to his
chamber. He was an upright and honor
able man, and when he began to reflect
and consider, he was guided mainly by his
sense of right and justice, with manly in
dependence.
The name of Cornelissen was very ia
miliar. Il had been Hendrick COrnelissen
who had established and richly endowed
a professorship in the college at which he
had graduated. And he was aware that
among all the wealthy descendants of the
old patrons none had clearer title to aris-
tocractic rank than had the same family.
Then. how, IN honor. could he offer his
hand to the inheritor of his patrons mil.
lions-he. with not dollar in the world
he could call his own-fOr he was owing
for tuition rather more than he possessed
of money-how could he do it? He coul6
not. He would not!
On the following morning as Kate look
ed out from her chamber window she saw
Arthur walking in the garden. His steps
was slow and dragging, his head was
bent, and his hands were folded behind
him. Certainly he looked far from hap
py. When she came down into the little
stti groom. where the piano was, she
found the rector and his wife there, look.
ing strangely uncomfortable and perplex
ed.
Something has happened-we don'i
know what" in answer to her earnest
questions. arthur is going back to New
York at once-he says to-day"
but thought he was to stay until
September"
$50 he had planned. but something has
changed him."
A great weight sat upon Kate's heart
and a choaking was in her throat. She
turned away and thought. The truth was
not long in coming to her. Arthur had
her. But had she gained his heart? And
if so. should she. without one struggle
surrender the only promise of .iov. true
and pure. that had entered into her life
since her father dedf
Arthur Grafton, standing beneath 8
dropping elm himself also dropping, fell
light touch upon the arm. He turned
and looked into the sweet. earnest face Of
the beautiful being who had been occupy.
ing all his thoughts.
"Arthur. your uncle tells me that YOU
think of leaving u.s." She spoke with q
calmness that cost her mighty effort.
Yes" ne answered, in voice thai
sounded hollow and distant.
| She stood back and looked at him with
tprayerful earnestness.
"Arthur, will you answer me a few
questions, truly aud franklyp"
yes"
IF you had not met Charles Dabney
yesterday the thought of leaving us to
day would not have entered your mind p
| VI,
would be honorable to answer with thu
simple truth.
ut would not" he said.
Charles Dabney told you who my
father was P"
| YES"
"And that my family name was Cor
nelissenp"
| Yes"
"And he told you that I was very
very wealthy in the possession o
money!"
yes"
"But he did not tell you that had beer
poor. very poor, in all that can give prom
Use OF true and enduring blessings in life. ;
arthur, in the great city l was huntet
for my wealth. grew sick and tired o
the dreadful infiiction. and resolved to es
cape into purer atmosphere, and if pos
sible. leave all trace of my poor wealth
behind me. Good friends, appreciatins
my purpose, assisted me.
Dropping my well-known family name
came hither, recommended chiefly b,
| one who had been your uncle's colleg,
mate in other years. By and by you came
to share the life with me. Never mint
how discovered it, but the knowledg,
came to me that you were a noble man
MY heart bounded with a strange gladnes
when | thought that a true, strong, an,
generous man had fallen in love witt
poor, simple Kate Burbank. Can yo,
doubt whittier my heart was tendingP"
"Arthur, love YOU with nv who'll