Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-21
Gales aud Sketthes.
"a WOMiN'S LOVE-"
CONTINUED from Yesterday

| ne weeks sllppcu ny. anu stlii AucL
remained guest at Sunnyside. At first
she talked a good deal of going out as
goyernesss. but latter on she ceased to do
So
Somehow Estelle and Marc were very
seldom alone these days. Inez, with her
pretty, helpless ways coptrived to mo-
nopolize great deal of Mares time. Yet
Estelle was pleased that it should be so.
In her noble heart there was no room
for jealousy. No thought that lnez, with
her saucv kittenish ways. might win her
lover from her. Her faith and trust in
Marc were perfect.
The wedding day drew nigh. Inez was
to be bridesmaid. and then Estelle, with
her warm ,impulsive nature, had proposed
that she should accompany them to
Europe on their bridal tour, and lnez had
clapped her hands like child, exclaim
ing:
oh! if only could. How l should
like it." Mrs. Darcy. wiser than the rest
had judged it best for Inez to remain with
her; but Inez had pouted and come as
near showing temper as such a weak,
little creature could, and had gained her
way.
1t was decided that she should accom-
pany the bridal.
Mare and Estelle were man and wife,
and the steamer was bearing them on to-
ward England's shores. IneZ. too sick to
move and wishing herself back on land,
was in her stateroom. with ever thought
full Estelle tending and petting her, re-
warding her husband with fond smile
whenever he came to inquire after the
sick girl. How good of him, Estelle
thought, when he so disliked the sight of
sickness or anything unpleasant.
1t was Marc who carried Inez on deck
with her whims when even Estelle grew
almost indignant at her friends peevish-
ness toward her husband.
One evening Estelle, suffering from a
severe headache. retired early to her state
room. but finding the air below very close,
she returned to the deck. Seeking her
husband and Inez she drew near the wheel
house Suddenly she paused and stood as
| if turned to stone. In the shadow of the
wheelhouse were her husband and Inez.
Inez's golden head lay upon his breast and
there was loud ring to Mares tones that
Estelle had never heard before as he uttered
| the words:
"For Gods sake. stop CRYING. little one
| You will drive me mad. You know that
l love you as | never loved Estelle, but
was forced to marry her. If had been
rich. then | could have pleased myself but
as it was, it would have been simple folly"
No cry escaped the lips of the woman
whose loving heart had been crushed by
these words of her husband, only as she
blindly CROPPED her way back to the cabin
the thought, "he never loved ME. it was
only my money" seemed to stab itself
into her heart.
Fighting with her despair, this stricken
woman cried out, unselfish even in her
agony:
"Marc! Mare my husband. | would
make you happy if could"
They were nearing their journeys end
and Mare had perceived no difference in
his wife. His thoughts were elsewhere
Had they not been he would have seen how
pale and thin she had grown, and that
never of her own accord did her lips caress
him.
Then came the night when they were
startled from their sleep by the cry of
danger.
Women shrieked and clasped their little
ones to their breasts, while men. white to
the lips, hurried on deck to be driven back
| by the wild tierceness of the Storm
Waves like gigantic mountains hurled
themselves against the ship, under which
she staggered and reeled and rghted her
self again, only to be struck down anew
Naliantly the good boat fought her fight
| against the deep. Mast after mast was
torn away, till she lay bare, trembling
| lilo ha; Al
the angry waters. She had sprung aeak.
All night the men worked at the pumps,
cheered by their brave captain, who told
them they must be close to the Dover
cliffs, and they might yet all reach the
shore in safety.
1nez chung trembling to Marc, while
Estelle. calm and collected, moved about
amongst the women, helping with ready
hand.
Little children grew quiet at her touch,
and mothers failed to bewail their fate.
Mare never forgot the pale grandeur Of
his wife's face as she passed to and fro
amongst all the confusion.
Towards dawn the storm abated some
what, bat dense fog enveloped them
| like a shroud.
At last the order was given to man the
lteboats. Sobbing women and frightened
children were quickly lifted over the ships
side; while arm-hearted sailors babe
them cheer up, for land was close at
hand.
As they lowered the last boat, Estelle.
laying her hand upon her husbands arm,
said:
Marc, if anything should happen to
me, want you to believe that my great
est wish was for your happiness You
once said, that perhaps some day you
would put my love to the test. You won
dered if it would fail you. 1t shall not
fail you. Marc. my husband. kiss me
just once as--as if you loved me-
"Estelle! my wife, L" and Marc
clasped his wife to his heart with some
thing of the love that should have been
hers from the first. For a moment she
chung to him; then gently Withdrawing
herself from his arms. she said:
See, lnez is faint. Take care of her.
| am strong-now, can see to myself
The little crowd pressed eagerly tor
ward, and were rapidly lowered to their
places. The captain was the last to quit
the ship. With one last look round to see
that none were left he drew his hands
| ru,ot l- a,ro,s Ii, aras 80 I,.k ......-