Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-15
A NOBLE GIRLS LOVE.

Houesezs snd hopesess Ike lanentins Lear.
-Frankisn z Denton in Ths cHfrsn6
A NOBLE GIRLS LOVE.
In the year 49, John Harlow started fos
fan Francisco, Gala, on . tour Of recres
ton from . long cour,s Of legal study. Moth
ing Of special note occurTed 70 relieve the
sediousness Of bis journey: be arrived at his
destination much shattered and fstigued- In
mediate rest vas needed, 70 be sought
boarding house In dull, quiet part Of ths
city, and for some days enjoyed the seci1sion
and rest be stood 70 much in need Of His
Meals were brought 70 bis room, and there
fore he bad no opportunity 10 make thu &C.
quaiutance Of his fellow boarders The bouse
was run by . matTonly looking woman
named Wentworth, whose only weakness
seemed 10 be her voiuble tongue However,
shs atoned somewhat for this in the excellent
quality Of her nnenn, and, as this Is the para
mount object sought for In boarding house,
whatever foibles she possessed In the eyes Of
her tenants were graci ously overlooked
Her daughter. . comedy young girl Of II
years. assisted her In the household duties
and 1t evening usually entertained the house
with pleasing music On the piano. One even
ing n Harlow was enjoying . fragrant
Havana In his room, and musing retrospect
lively over old scenes and faces, the soft,
plaintive strains OF . delicate but musical
voics seemed TO emanate from the parior BE-
low There was something in the tone Of the
voice that told him he had never heard it
there before. The air spoke volumes Of sod
nss and breathed such pAthos and distress
,k.. - ,k.ofp and
noticing in The mirror at the other side Of the
room what q change It had wrought in bis
features, he jumped up suddenly and was
about to shut out the voice from his bearing,
when it suddenly stopped The music bad
piqued bis curiosity. He would know the
owner Of that pathetic voice.
Tho chatting Of two women below told him
that some lady friend Of Bertha-Mrs. Went
worths daugbter-was probably paying her
a friendly WHIT He dressed himself hastily
and repaired to the parlor, where, under the
pretext OF wishing TO Be called early in the
morning, he had an opportunity OF speaking
10 Bertha She seemed pleased to be Of ssr
vice TO him and invited him in The Rubicon
passed, he was soon engaged la delectabls
con yersatios with Cora Lane, to whom h
bad been introduced by Bertha.
or all fair faces he had ever seen hers wa
the farest There was an air Of melancholy
sufYusing the entire features that seemed in
keeping with the sad, blue eyes. the expires
sion OF which completely charmed him
Something indefinabe in her sweet, gentle
manner felt its way deeply into his breast
and caused IL to heat with rapture. He could
have sat for hours and contemplated her
lovely face great was his infatuation.
That night he lay on his couch, with the
picture Of one fair face eDgrossing his every
thought, he felt, he knew, that Cora Lane
was the only woman he would ever love 1t
was late next morning when he arose, despite
the fact that Eertha had done his bidding.
His first impulse was to rush to her and
learn all she knew OF Cora, but better judg-
ment prevailed He concluded to ascertain
through quiet inquiries all he could about his
new .ound love. Bertha, however, antici-
patel him. She saw, with a womans quick
ness, the profound look of admiration on his
visage as he sat gazing at her friend the night
previous, and intuitively surmising that he
wished 10 know something Of her friend, told
him Of her own accord all that she knew
Cora was employed as saeslady in a MILL
ner establishment. She was 20 years old,
was supposed to be orphan, and came
originally from the east"
This was all Bertha knew Of her although
she dwelt eloquently on her amable manners
and goodness of heart
Every night for two weeks Harlow saw his
love safely home, but not escort. He
could not nerve himself to meet those grent
blue ewes, for he felt that the venture would
lead him to a passionate avowal Of the latest
love that was surcing against his heart like u
vast billow. No, he must strive to beat down
the vehement attachment that almost
consuming him and let time shape his fortunes
Harlow had passed two evenings at the
house Of Cora, and each time he set eyes on
her some new born charm revealed itself to
his enamored vision. A certain air Of con-
slant reserve in her demeanor awed down all
efforts on his part to divulge the dictates Of
his heart II the mellow gaze that wreathed
her face at times conveyed to his mind the
looks OF reciprocal affection, its relaxation
into q moody, apathetic stare dispelled the
felicitous thought Still, his manner and con-
versation appeared to please and entertain
her, and at times she grew eloquent in her
responses.
One moonlight evening, when the stars
studded the vaulted heaven with unwonted
brilliancy and bracing breezes stole softly
through the trees and flowers, bringing with
them the mvgorating influence Of balmy
:
to her. He told her in impassioned but
guarded tones of his alteration: how life
without her would be dismal blank; h<lv he
had watched her night after night, and felt
happy to know that he was close to the
woman he loved; how eagerly he had looked
forward to the time when he could tell her
all She listened demurely, with downcast
eyes, but uttered not a word That she did
not demonstrate with him reccnciled him to
the belief that the affection was mutual. At
last she spoke, and her meodous voice thrilled
him with delight
She told him she dearly loved him-loved
him for his kindness to her; that ever since
she first saw him his image was ndissolubIy
mingled with her day dreams; every moment
in his presence seemed an hour OF happiness
to her
These endearing words threw off the re-
straint he had sustained, and in the ardency
Of his fondness he drew her to his side and
repeatedly kissed the pale. upturned lips.
Cora. you will be my wife, be said, look
ing down upon her with unspeakable joy, q
II the answer he sought was already his
She drew herself gently from his embrace,
and the gaze in her lovely eyes appeared to
pass over him to space beyond She spoke as
If in dream
nat can never be, she uttered. at the
same time throwing her arms about him and
sobbng bitterly. as if in deep anguish.
To be refused by woman who had Just
avowed herself in love seemed n strange an
onialy to him. A hundred conjec,ures filed
his brain at that moment Was her heart
preocc,pied. Was there man on earth who
adored Cora Lane more than he didf Why
could she not be his wifei
Don't ask me why John. 1t is letter for
u IL we Sea each other no more. Forgive ms
Il m1oke you unhappy, but it can never Be;
20 b your wife would only bring sorrow and
distr'es to orr home"
Her enigmaticai words puzzled him. Cora,
dearest, will forgive everything. We will
start life anew; blot the past from your sight;
only say you will be mine"
She strove to answer, but the profound an
guish in her bosom Knocked all efforts 70
scorn. The look Of melancholy sadness that
overspread her entire features soia Harlow
that his love was hopeless.
In a few days a longing desire to So BIZ
low again reasserted itself He tore himself
from his seclusion and went to her house.
When he entered, to his bewildered con-
starvation he learned she had left the city.
A note was handed him by the lady Of ths
house. which she gave him at Coras request.
He tremblingly tore open the envelope. The
note read ~ follows:
in three years CoRAs
At the end Of three years bis life WAS Just -
void OF happiness IS the day when Cora told
him il could never be.
"a lasee % ~tv- ,.se -