Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-24
THE HAND OF DESTINY.

The little brook rushed headiong over its
stony bed, the tall trees, with their garlands
Of moss and wild grape vines, bent lovingly
over the noisy waters, while the audacious
sephyr xaucily brushed the face Of the girl
who lay upon the sloping green bank She
WINS so still that a daring bird came curiously
near, and an adventuresome squirrel crept
up slowly, bis bright eyes giancing from side
10 side, seeming to regard with wonder the
figure clad in the plain white gown.
Suddenly two little feet protruded from
the full skirt, and with . decided jump. and
Q shake OF the dark curly locks, Hazel THAR
rose, and swinging her broad garden hat by
its string started through the woods, when a
shril whistle sounded. With q mischievous
smile, the girl hastily threw her hat on the
grass, and seizing a low hanging grape vine,
swung herself by it on to . large branch,
where she seated herself, quite hidden by the
clinging mos and thick leaveA
In moment boy with a crop Of yellow
hair, honest blue eyes and . smiling mouth,
and wearing a straw hat carelessly on the
back Of his head, came into sight, looking on
either si,le as he whistled.
aHazel, IIazel,v he called. adding in an
undertone, Where Is the girl Gone of to
walk, believe, when rm-Huilo' as
smothered laugh betrayed her. "Now say,
Hazel, that's too bad; joking, when you're
going away so soon. Coms-down, and let's
have one jolly talk"
II was just thinking how lonely should
be, and how should miss you, and these
lovely woods, and the brook, and-every-
thing answered the girl, ss she came swing
ing down on the 1.-the vine, dropping on the
grass beside her companion. Northern girls
will be shocked at my romps, and no one will
be rs good company as my old Bob. bless
YOU" she continued. embracing the boy with
the untramrneled freedom Of childhood, for
though nearly Is she had never been taught
conventionalities or had her impulses re-
strained
A slight color filled Rob Stevens brown
cheeks, and he uncasped the arms thrown
round his neck, and raised the curly head on
bis shoulder and said, seriously: "Hazel,
dear, that is-well, I wanted to say some
thing to you that very thing. We've been
friends a long time, haven't wet" "Of
course" and Hazel looked at him wonder
ingly "And, well, bother it; say, you won't
forget me, will you, Hazel, and you know
what you promised me down by the old mag
noiaf II remember" she answered, n said
I'd never care for any one as much as for
you, and I'd wait until you were old enough,
and then we'd "All right, never mind
aying it, if you'll remember, and keep your
promise; and say, Hazel, you know girls
don't usually hug the fellows, SO be careful
P'raps you'd letter not any more" The dark
eyes opened wide and the sensitive mouth
quivered. "No, Bob, won't, only thought
Is long as it was only you it was no HARM
I'll try and remember"
They sat there by the cool stream until a
clear bell warned them that the evening meal
was being prepared in the big house, which
could just be seen through the trees, and
sway they scampered, hand in hand, up the
long, green slope.
Judge THAR was a wealthy planter, but
also an educated gentleman, and he realized
the Importance of sending his motherless
laughter away to better schools than those in
the sunny sout.r The poor man tried to
perform all the duties Of mother and father.
but he was sadly deficient sometimes. and
felt himself so lately as he saw his "baby"
growing into n tall girl. He noticed her in-
.reasing familiarity with Rob Stevens, the
son of his nearest neighbor, and, indeed, the
only white child for some miles around, and
not daring to put new ideas into her mind,
deemed it advisable to place her in more ex-
pcricilced hands. So early the following
Monday northern aunt took Hazel to her
own home, and three weeks from the day
OIL which she babe Rob an affectionate fare
well saw her fairly established in fashion
able school.
For awhile, to Hazers wondering eyes,
everything seemed like fairy tale, and be-
ing very susceptible, she conceived violent
attachments on oil sides: but her busy brain
4. l.I.. IL
ting,uish between the false and true, and got
over her first trial with the shallowness OF
human nature with only a slight heartache.
Rob wrote every week, telling her OF the
things that interested her at home, and at
FIRST she answered in her old ntTectionate way,
until the girls leased her about her devoted
admirer Then Rob noticed that her letters
sounded forced, though still friendly, and
missing the sisterly contidences, he wondered,
then longed to see her, and finally went
north, and in due time presented his card at
the door OF the boarding school, As he stood
in the long reception room, waiting for his
old playmate to come, and wondering il she
would throw her arms about his neck and
kiss him as she used, he saw a tall, graceful
figure, in long gown OF clinging white stuff,
with dusty lair gathered in loose knot on the
top of her head, and dark, starry eyes, stand
ing at the door; he heard a rustic Of sweeping
skirts, then sweet voice, and Hazel cordially
shook bands, assured him how glad she was
to see him, and offered chair, with pretty
motion of one white hand. Self possessed
and gracious, she made poor Rob feel ill at
ease and like such little boy, as he fingered
the blue felt hat he bought to please her, and
answered her questions in monosyllables.
But when he rose to go he made "a desperate
effort, and begged her to say "goodby" in
the old way She flushed, in such dainty
way. he thought. then said, hurriedly:
II hoped you'd never allude to that folly
again. You were the first to tell me that it
wasn't quite good form, aISl since then have