Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-20
Uai.u af,Ineoel 3nurnal.
JOHN HARvET'S Mistake.

A life was passing away; softly and
gently it was gliding into eternity. No
eminent physician watched its decay, no
wealth eased its painful joltings along the
road to death; yet no word passed Clara
Testers lips; no traitorous cry that her
burden was greater than she could bear
came from her loyal heart. Pain had
traced many a wrinkle on her fair fore
head, but her brows had never been drawn
together 10 angry impotence.
Bel Urmson, loving her sister devotedly,
and tending her daily, was kept in ignor-
ance of her danger, and never suspected
the slenderness OF her hold on life. Bel
only saw that Clara was young and beau
tiful and delicate. Yes, she was delicate !;
but then CLARA had been from her child
hood, and since that dreadful morning
when the news came to them that the
steamship Cawnpore had been wrecked
off the African coast and Captain Testers
name had appeared among the passengers
drowned or missing his young bride,
Clara Lester, had, as Margaret expressed
it, never raised her head. Death and her
sister were, however, never associated in
Bel Urmson's mind. Clara was delicate
and that was all.
InTtE wears Ildu run lltll COui sc olLNC
the wreck of the Cawnpore and Captain
Lester had never come back to his wife ;
and now, she whispered to herself, she
was going TO him.
! Before Bel had attained her 18th year,
she was engaged to be married to Lieut..
Haywood, young officer In the ii
! Hussars: but misunderstanding had
arisen between them, and they had parted.
Clara used to say TO her, Il am sure there
is only some foolish mistake between you,
and some day Lieutenant Haywood will
come back to YOU, and everything will be
explained.
But Bel had laughed scorniully at
Clara's prophecy, and refused to place
any confidence in it. Her disappointment
had shaken her faith in human goodness
and integrity, and she became suspicious,
reticent and sarcastic But gradually
Clara Testers influence effected IA change {;
and Two years later Bel Urmson had
learned to love again, and was once more
engaged to be married.
One morning Bel was seated on low
stool by her sisters couch, her chin rest
ing on her hand and her eyes gazing va
cantly on the floor She had been silent
long time, hen suddenly she spoke.
Il thought John ought to know that
had loved before, aud so | told him the
story of my love Was right?' and she
turned her dark. handsome face to her
sister, while her glorious brown eyes
seemed to repeat the question, WAS |
right"
Quite right" Clara answered; "you
have only toreslalled the advice intended
to give you to-day. And he, Bel-what
MIR. Harvey say?'
A blush crept up to the girls cheeks,
and her eyelids dropped for an instant as
she saiGr
II don't think he liked it. Clara; he
looked so disappointed; but he said very
little. | do love him and he has no cause
for jealousy. But he is iealous-jealous
as OIhelo! '-aud with light, careless
laugh she turned away.
Il am sure Bel does not love him.
the sister murmured, squeezing her fin-
gers together in agony at the thought.
IL have come earlier than usual, " said
John Harvey, who now entered. 1.-The
fact is. have received telegram from
my father, informing me OF his arrival in
| England, and requesting my immediate
presence in Southampton, because, as he
expresses it. he is not so well. do not
suppose it is anything serious; neverthe'
less. am obliged to leave Sutton to-
night"
: am so sorry" Clara said, Il hope
YOU will find him better" John" she
continued. leaning over and laying her
hand on his, my life is SO uncertain,
may never see YOU again. Don't start
] Al. TO
me- will not ask you to swear it. for q
mans word should be binding as his oath
- but promise me now, before die, to be
always kind to Bel.
Startled and surprised though he was
without a moments hesitation he an
swered: 81 60
Il promise. To the utmost of my power
! will be good to your darling; | prom
ise."
Thank YOU" she murmured, as hel
sister and the nurse made their appear
ance; land now, if you will take Be
away. Margaret shall help me to my
room. Good.b by. John. -
He shook hands with her. expressing {
hope that when he returned he should fine
her stronger. Then he and Bel walked
to the small iron gate which divided Mr.
Testers miniature garden from Sutton
Common. and pausing there he asked:
BEL, will you write to me while an
awavP"
they had been engaged only month
and this was their first separation; never
theless, she answered with warm decis
ion:
No. YOU will live on my letters and be
in no hurry to come back to me-"
That same night Clara Lester found the
release for which she had so long waited
Il will never listen to any of Bells mad
projects again" was John Harvey's men
tai resolution as he stepped out upon the
platform OF Sutton Station. 81 have been
only fortnight away, and it seems ar
age since babe her goodbye at the
gate 7EhaTs.
As he approached the cottage, his atten.