Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-16

WOn0er!
The girls eyes softened as they went
dreamily over the waters, and her lips be-
came tremulous. -.
"Oh. do not say such things to me!'
she pleaded; they are so hard to bear.
When you-you joined in my song that day
you remember il? thought you were
were another. All. heaven. how we
have drifted, you and ~
"Into something new and strange. but
sweet as dream of the Lotus eater" he
said softly, laying his hand on hers.
She drew her hand from him with q
SILVER.
"Let me tell you," she said. 81 called
you Rex that day. You have never
asked for whom mistook you"
81 did not think to ask. Was it not
friend?"
"A friend? All, no! IA lover-the
man who-who is to be-my husband!'
Startled and white he sat there, looking
at her fxedly, half-despairingly. She
gave him one swift glance, then shrank
back, look of keenest suffering on he
face. At last he broke the silence.
at was the song of the Lorelei, then?''
he said bitterly.
But that was all
A wave of color burned transiently in
her face: her hands trembled.
IL can say nothing to yOu," she fall
tered, "Do not think me weak or-or
wicked. Only-only it is sometimes toe
late when we learn to read our own
hearts,"
"Was it so with you?" he questioned,
his lips very white.
She bent her head and sob broke from
her.
ooh, do not remain here" she cried.
go away; 90 back to your work-to
your work! He is noble and true. and
and he loves me!''
"God help us both!'' the young man
prayed, reading the full meaning OF her
words.
Then he lifted the oars. and shot the
boat shoreward. As it touched the bank
he sprang from it.
Farewell, Inez,'. he said simply.
And in q moment the trees had hidden
him from her
Five years later, party of strangers
were going through one of the galleries
of ST. Petersburg, and halted before one
picture.
"Inez," somebody called, "come here
This is surely your face on the canvas.
Who can have painted it ?''
stately, dark eyed woman obeyed
the summons, and turned deadly pale as
she gazed.
at is a masterpiece !" somebody cried.
But she did not heed, did not hear. She
hoI hoaE ~, hot hnnr VT
hand she knew had portrayed here. Her
own voice echoed about her as it had that
day, until another took up the strain and
mingled with its sweetness a stronger
melody.
She almost felt the last red touch of
sunset on her face. as it lay on the picture ;
for, as she had gone idly through it that
summer day, so he had painted her-the
man who had loved her, whom she had
sent from her.
"Drifting," he had called it.
And the dark eyes of Inez filled as she
look at the calm face of the girl, who she
told herself, had died long since. leaving
woman, sad and sorrow worn, in her
place.
She found his name-Grant Clayton
and with hand that trembled. penned him
a line.
81 remain a week in the city. If you
have not forgotten an old friend, will be
glad to see you at
Here followed the address.
An hour after he received her note he
stood before her with outstretched hand,
and face which the years hardly touched
in passing.
Il knew how great Jolly committed
in coming here and looking on your face
again." he said to her; "but | could not
help i'll came. In an hour we will
again bid each other farewell but had
such a vearning for sight of your face,
sound OF your voice, touch of your hand !!
did not mean to say this to you," he
broke off suddenly; "but for five years |
have been as the starving, rs one dying OF
thirst The draught may have much bit
terness in it. but twill cool my fevered
lips. AS for that other, to whom you be-
long"
She lifted her shaking hand to silence
him.
My husband has been dead two years
she said, softly.
Grant uttered low cry
Anu LOT Two years you nave been Tree
Why did l not know Why did you not
send me word to come to you? Did you
not want me?
Her eyes fell. and the laces rose hur.
riediy over her heart
Il did not know you would care tc
come"
"Ok. lnez! But now-now that fate has
brought US together-will we part again
my beloved 2''
Not unless you will it So" she whs
pered. Il loved you then ! | strove
against it, God knows But have loved
You ever since !"