Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-28

Inere er0 OtneT gifib.
ITO me there is bat one in the wid'
world" he answered, hoarsely: still.
will not annoy you; will wait. Goot
day. Agatha"
The conflict was over now, and the vic
tory won In the refuge of her own room
a flood of tears came to the maiden's eyes
But something OF thankfulness tor van
pushed temptation mingled with that bit
terness of Pronunciation. All was not gloom
though the lights of earthly ambition hat
gone out In the exercise of unselfshnes!
Agatha Trenton found deep and abiding
peace.
On hearing of the vicar Of Hiltworth'i
decease. and of the Strengthened circum
stances of his family, certain friends in q
southern centre exerted themselves to OBJ
tain admission for the two eldest lads in.
to a hieh-class charitable institution, es.
tablshed for the sons of clergymen. The
endeayor was successful. and it seemed to
both Agatha and her mother that it would
be best to remove into the immediate
neighborhood of the school. The aban-
donment OF the vicarage was in any case
inevitable. There were few ties to bind
the Trentons to Hiltworth. and so the pro-
ject of departure was quickly carried out ;
at Melbury, within sound of the city-hum,
the wrestle with poverty was continued
under slightly less strained conditions
A correspondence was naturally main
tanned between Agatha and several OF her
midland acquaintances. Rut in all her
letters the girl was exceedingly careful to
avoid even the most distant and enigmati-
cal reference to Roderick Dalling. His
lite and hers had drifted apart. and it was
better that a thick veil of oblivion should
cover the bygone episode of love making
But before the summer was over frag-
ment of intelligence had come, which
Agatha tried her hardest to receive with
equanimity.
"By the way, there was quite fashion,
able marriage here. last week." wrote the
unsuspectng friend; Mr.. Dalling and
Mabel Sutton have gone into the bonds of
holy matrimonv-isn'tt that the proper ex
preston ?" And then followed details of
the brides dress and behavior, which only
feminine pen could have mirrored so
exactly, and only lady's eyes could have
been expected to pursue with interest and
with orthodox admiration.
at is all ended. then--all!" murmured
poor Agatha. with sigh and stray tear.
Il hope they will be-happy."
She went up stairs, sat down by her
mothers sofa and read with even voice
and unwonted pathos. She would crush
down unlawful repinings at the very out
set.
Very nearly two years had gone by in
this placid, humdrum manner. Agatha g
painting had prospered and the hrsVy
breathing of the gaunt old wolf ws 70
longer audible at the family door. More
over, Mrs. Trenton was distinctly improv-
ing in health and spirits. The change to
Melbury had accomplished what medicine
could only feeblv attempt. The boys
were doing we'll with their studies, and
the three younger children were dav by
day becoming more helpful. The hori-
ION was decidedly brighter than at any
date since the death OF her reverend ia
Their, and the good fortune-so far as
Agatha was concerned-had not yet reach
its climax.
Strange stories had recently drifted to
Melbury respecting the doings at Hit
worth 1t was said that coal had been dis
covered in the vicinity that a mining shaft
had been sunk in field in the rear of
Messrs. Dalling Bros mill and that moth
ing short of an Industrial revolution was
before the entire district. Agatha longed
to explore for herself those wonders, but
scarcely dared to venture as vet into the
possible presence of her ancient lover,
even if she could easily have spared the
time she had to be content with the re-
ports of her correspondents for while
1t was a hot August day. and the silence
of the summer-noontde seemed to have
penetrated into every cottage and home
stead in Melbury. The ticking of the cor
troubled the repose of Agatha's trim little
kitchen. The girl was pausing in her
task of setting in order some sketching
materials. Suddenly ring came at the
bell. She hurried through the passage
and opened the door.
Agatha in persona Surely good
sign!' SAID Roderick Dalling, impulsively
with outstcetched hand
The girl had paled, and with difficulty
repressed cry of eager joy. Her sur
prise betrayed her unquenched affection
"Mr. Dalling! Where is-your wife?'
she faltered. at last.
"My witep"
Yes; heard of your marriage many
months ago"
A sudden light broke upon him.
THAT was my BROTHER" he answered
dick fell in love with Miss Sutton, and
the engagement was very short one.
You did not think me so tickle, Agatha p'
What could she sayp The reproach in
his tone had gone to her heart, and stirred
strange depths of passion and of happi-
ness. She was silent, and her ewes refused
to meet Roderick's earnest gaze
The visitor was standing in the old
fashioned parlor, now, and without resis-
lance he had drawn Agatha to him.
81 have waited as | said | would" he
whispered; knew the cause of your OBJ
lection, and honored you for it, | meant
to make fortune and then come to you
again. If it were years hence. But you
have given me wealth, and all have to
do is to ask that you share it."
"I?-how p'
''Instead of taking Brighton villa |
bought the Moorfeld. You have heard
the resultp"
"Coal has been discovered"
THAT coal would bring today to an.
other but for your decision OF self-sacrifice.
Half of it is fairly yours, Agatha. Will
you accept itp"
Roderick had no need of spoken reply.
but how did you find me out P" she
asked, some minutes later.
Through Alice Frowde-I should sup
pose your leading correspondent; have