Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-13
Gales aud Sketehfs.
FELIX GRAY.

LuC iiObCl. n tucQEntlut kikA " I'LL q 4uCOh-
IL carriage and an ideal head; not more
than twenty years Of age, yet womanly
and reposeful in manner. The day was
perfect, a mid October spell of rare color,
rare atmosphere, rare silence--Only the
sound of the katy-dids. beginning long
ere sunset. The clear sky. the blue noun
tain tops, the nearer slopes and groves of
odorous pines, even the yellow road. wind
ing steeply down toward the village. all
were pleasant to look upon, and Grace
Duval was fond of nature. 1t gave her
keenest jov simply to sit and single out.
with artists eye, some dash of snow up
on the azure of the heavens; some blood
/ red seal of the seasons sitting on sumach
( or maple. How she had enjoyed their
fortni gifts sojourn, at that pleasant hill
top hotel.
| There were three of the Duvals. Be-
sides her mother and herself there was al
so Kirke Duval, a second cousin, and.
some said, sutton of the Young lady's.
! She had been looking off toward the
mountains for some time when her atten-
ton was diverted by the sound Of wheels.
The hotel stage. a numbering, three-seated
vehicle, came around from the great red
barn at the rear of the house. 1t was just
starting for the village to meet steamboat
and train and bring up any possible new
arrivals The horses seemed unusually
restless and Felix Gray held the reins, a
slight, delicate-faced boy in whom Miss
Duval had already taken an interest. She
noticed how restless the horses seemed,
and so called out to the young driver, in
her sweet, kindly voice, asking if he were
to drive down alone. She had felt an in
terest in the boy since the moment she
had first seen him. He had such frail
physique and such sad, dusky, long
dashed eyes. He was as delicate as I
woman, with fair skin and pointed feat
ures, and wavy golden hair. She won
dered now if his small, thin hands were
strong enough to control the fractions
animals. And when he had answered her
question in low, weary affirmative, she
felt a curious, apprehensive concern. She
loft her wooden rocking chair and came
forward to speak to him while he took
the mailbag from the clerk. But her
speech was checked by the look the boy.
turning, cast upon her-a singular ex-
preston of intensity and suffering, per-
haps even more-an expression she could
not wholly fathom. 1t affected her
strangely, and so she did not speak, as
she had proposed, bidding him drive care
fully where the road was steepest and an
most upsettal would prove disastrous. She
only watched him take up the reins and
drive away down the winding yellow
path.
Come" said mans voice, which
seemed suddenly to have approached from
hab;pl rich haa ri ha vni..,
ing the elements of "good- fellow ship''-
nv fashion; "come, we cannot allow you
to dream at midday"
Miss Duval turned slowly and with re-
luctance Her mother was standing in
the doorway, petite, prematurely white
haired saint. She was smiling. and spoke
tenderly.
Kirk wants to 90 for walk, my child.
Now is the time to go down in the grove.
1t is too chilly later.
"Yes, mother" said Grace, absently,
and put on the hat which she had been
holding in her hand.
They were handsome couple setting
off together. He tall, 1.-THE and fair. yet
vigorous. She raven haired. with lus-
tfous topaz eyes, aud cheeks pale and
pure as Gala lilies. The saint-faced
mother thought so, looking after them as
they went farther and farther off IN the
afternoon sunlight. and she sighed in
relieved way at the prospect of their union.
The grove walk was thickly strewn
with needles of pine. so thickly that ones
footsteps fell soft and noiseless, as upon
velvet. The two walked slowly and said
but little. There was great enveloping
silence in the world, it seemed to Grace
Duval. Now and then, yet rarely, the
faint twitter of bird. They kept on in
their slow promenade until the path. des-
cending. gently came all at once upon a
rustic iootbridge across the little gully,
with an easy current flowing thinly over
the green stones. And here thew paused
Kirke Duval took his Cousins hand and
spoke tenderlv. though she, for some rea-
son, held her face averted.
II love vou," he said. Twill YOU come
to me forever, Grace. my darling?'
She did not move or speak The great
| silence seemed again upon them, and now
even the bird twitter was finished. But
there was the oozing of the easy current
underneath.
| He waited little. Then he gently
made as if to take her face between his
hands and turn it towards him. She drew
back and spoke with vague reluctance :
lido not-know."
! Kirke Duval gave no sign of Impotence
Say that you WILL" he urged softly
Your mother approves and she will be
made happy. Grace, love your
! She spoke up suddenly.
"Kirke did you ever say those words to
any ether woman. Did you ever before
say. Il love you p'
He appeared surprised.
! What a singular question:" he ex-
claimed.
but did youP'
| He hesitated only second.
| Never in earnest, Grace. I swear to
you never loved be ore. And shall I
have nv answer now Darling, turn
your face TO me. Do not look away
have loved you a long time. am almost
sure you can return my love. And we
shall be so happy Turn your swee.
face. darling"
She obeyed slowly The movement of
her perfect head was gradual. yet GER
| tain. Slowly. SLOWLY lher pale. pure
countenance was dawning fully upon him.
He bent his head little. He bent to
press his lips to hers. when she fell away
as il struck.
"Ohw she cried out, and began to
tremble violently. mo. no, mol / must