Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-28
what care could you have to forget .
mack arnsr asked Colchester

i
till my fathers life was in danger"
Her tears flowed afresh at the thought
of that peril, and then Edward Colchester
forgot himself altogether, and caught her
in his arms, and kissed the SD, tear
stained face again and again.
"My beloved. let me share your grief,
let me be all in all to you in your day Of
sorrow. My dearest, you know how fondly
I love you"
1t was all done in moment. She was
In his arm, his beloved, accepting his de-
votion. the passive recipient of betrothal
kisses for such kisses could mean nothing
but betrothal. They were the first lovers
kisses that had ever touched her lips
Never before had she felt the passionate
pulse of lovers heart beating against her
own. She tore herself from his arms.
@How can you, how can your" she cried,
reproachfuiIy. ITO talk of love when my
father lies on his death-bed! l know they
all believe il is his death-bed. l hate you
for such heartlessness."
"Gracie, is it heartlessness to adore you,
to want to comfort you in your sorrowt"
he asked, responsibility. II have been
quietly worshiping you for year-wait-
ing, waiting for some sign of awakening
love on your part. l should not have
dared speak even yet, only to see you in
tears and not be able to comfort you was
too much"
"You can not comfort me. am full of
trouble" she answered passionately.
She had flung her books upon the table,
and had left the chalet hurriedly and was
walking quickly along the path that led
to the house. He felt that she was angry
with him-that he had, as it were, violated
the Sanctify of har sorrow-apd vot ba bo-
lieved himself her accepted lover For
one delicious moment she had rested in
his arms, her eyes had looked at him, not
in anger, but in answering love. Those
lips of hers had yielded themselves to his
kisses. He knew that she loved him-that
he had but to wait for more fitting time
TO press his suit. And he had her father
upon his side, the good old colonel too.
he had fortune, youth, everything that
makes fitness in union. And he kIrew Of
no likely rival. Could he doubt that he
should win her? His heart glowed with
triumph as he hurried after her swift foot
sleeps, overlook her, and stood at her side.
Forgive me, Grace. 1 will wait for a
happier day." he said.
THAT day will never come for you and
me-" she answered, coldly. pray forget
that you have been so foolish, as l shall
try to do"
Forget those kisses? Never! Grace,
will not be put off like this. will wait.
will not even speak of my love until your
father is out of danger-but you must not
thrust me from you coldly; you must not
deny my right to claim you by and by"
"Never, never, never" she said II tell
you il can never be-"
"Then you do not love me-" he
there on the path face to face with him,
beside himself with love and anger. you
were deceiving me just now, or | was mad
and deceived myself You do not care
straw for me- Say that, Grace-only say
that you don't care for me, and you shall
never see my face again.
She could not say it; nor for the life of
her could she so belle her beating heart,
which had gone out to him as bird to it's
nest, which belonged to him as a slave to
her master
81 can not engage myself to you," she
said. There are reasons"
what reasons? There can be no rea-
son except that you detest me. Why not
say so at once, and make an end of the
matter? If there were obstacles l would
overcome them. Give me one grain of love
no bigger than a mustard scotland
would remove mountains. But there are
no obstacles. We have everything on our
side. Your father likes me-he was my
fathers dearest friend-he would like to
would like to see us married"
81 can never marry YOU" said Grace,
sadly. why do you press me with pain
full questions? Please let go my hands"
He released her instantly, with gloomy
look
Il see. There is some one else whom
you love BETTER" he said.
mo, there is no one" she said, impetu-
ously, and then repented that she had so
spoken.
"Grace, you are mystery If you would
only say that you hate me"
81 will not tell lie," she answered,
walking on toward the house, he still by
her side. If you have any compassion for
my present unhappiness, you will say no
more"
Then will say no more know I am
brute-an utterly british brute sup
pose, having behaved so badly, | must not
come to Darnel any more"
you must do as you like about that"
she answered, YEARLY.
"Then | shall like to come Life would
be a burden if l could not see you now and
then"
In her heart of hearts she liked to see
him, for her life would have been
blank without that pleasant companion
ship She had snubbed him numerically
ever since her return from Paris and vet
he had never wavered in his devotion. And
he had his reward, though he knew it not;
for he had won her in spite of herself But
she was true Darnel and had loyal re-
gard for promise once given. And in an
evil hour she had given promise which
bound her to Victor de Camillac or to life
long celibacy.
Goodbye" she said, CURLY. and Mr..
Colchester was fain to accept the dis
missal
They were close to the hall door by this
time. He had no excuse for lingering any
longer.
Goodbye, Grace-my Grace" he said.
with a final flash of determination.
And then as he walked slowly down the
avenue he repeated to himself MY Grace.
mine, yes, my dear, mine for l mean to
win YOU
He went home full of trouble and per-
plexity There had been that in Grace's
eyes as she looked upon him which seemed
to him an assurance of her love There
had been that in the sweet mouth. with
lips half parted and family tremulous.
which told of deepest feeling. For some
blissful moments he had held her in his
arms, flushed with triumph, believing
himself her accepted lover And then she
had thrust him from her, and told him
that she could never be his wife There
was a contradiction here, that argued
mystery, mystery in the life of a girl