Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-02-26
WHEN ROMANCE WAS0VER


phans' home--not, as may be supposed, .
home for the orphans doctors have made, but
for the children OF deceased medical men.
Miss Dwight was matron there, and at the
moment was changing the pllowcases before
the wash
Il suppose its about Johnny Gifroy and
his ~ elled knee" said the servant. "Dr.
Emory seems to think 1t wusa.'
Miss Dwight, however, waited until the
girl was gone before she opened the note.
Then, not greatly to her surprise, she read
the wcr'!s:
MY DEAR DoRA-Yoa have known me
,iDce you were Il baby Do you like me well
.nough to marry met OF course, you and
nave given up romance long ago. have had
two wives You mus, be thirty-two or three
Just thirty said Dora to herself; he is
,ixty-nine "You viii greatly improve
your position by marrying me, and always
liked you Please meet me in the garden
after hours hope to find you under the
Willows Yours, hopefully. B. Emory"
It was not a love letter calculated to hatter
the heart Of a woman Of any age. At drst
she said: Il will refuse him" Then she re-
membered how good and kindly he was 81
will accept him." she said. "but no romance
snail lie III lily tdiA WIN LAG quail Inn
me like stone He shall have the sort Of
wife he wants
1t was early when the door bell changed,
and foot crossed the long passage, and,
ceasing to echo on the painted floor, struck
the stones Earlier than she had expected
him, but she was ready for him under the
wilioss In the garden.
81 am glad TO find you here" said a deep.
old voice. Il thought you would b. sensible
enough to do what asked. but was not quite
sure-not quite. No You have read my
note carefully Vest Well, imagine that !
say to you again what wrote await your
answer with anxiety"
She looked at him, and he saw that she
smiled in an odd, embarrassed way.
"Will you marry me- my dearr he added
II see | must make il easier for you to
speak"
ut was little hard to begin" sire said
THE usual reason moves me-" he said
I'm in love with YOU | think it best TO
marry again, and know 10 one like you
no one. I've had two wives before, admit
However, neither of them complained of me,
believe have a very nice home, and,
really, it will be very much better position
for YOU than being matron of an institution.
You do it admirably, but hate to see you
here Your father was older than I. but we
were great friends think he would advise
you to say yes"
She put her hand upon his arm.
II am q very practical woman" she said.
If marry you forfeit good position that
may be mine for life--an independent posi-
ton. 1t is dangerous"
My dear, you'll have half of all that is
mine; and I'm not poor"
You don't think me young, know" she
answered Who thinks a woman young at
sOf But you have four sons, hard, business
men, older than l. They'll not approve of
the match"
They are not at home: It can't matter"
said DR. Emory.
But said Miss Dwight, with cruel dis
tinctness. the trouble will come when you
die You have made a mistake; you are
older than poor father. II you leave me q
widow your SONS will make every effort to
take everything from me; shall he left with
nothing, my place gone, my haiIits of indus
try, my briskness | make no doubt you
have heard Of such cases; ] have"
The sutton sat-and who can marvel at r.
stricken quite dumb by this speech. At last
he gasped;
You are candid
~ am" she answered am, Indeed. Now
Is your time You can take back your offer.
DR. Emory Everything can be as it was
before II tear up your letter. am con.
tent that all shall remain as it is
But, then" he answered, II am not
After all. all you say is only true. | can face
the music, hope. My answer ia this: Marry
rytl tSrtra
everything, on our wedding day
That would DO unjust she said 1T
would be viii to be contested. Leave Ia. a
home and an income" She named the sum
sufficient to keep it up.
That is moderate-sensble And you Will
say yes" he said II promise, Of course,
shall make 1t letter than that, still leaving
my sons no cause for complaint but it is not
my fault that we are not more romantic"
Let the romance come afterward, IL it
can,r said Miss Dwight
After this, they walked about the gar.le,i
awhile, and the day OF the wedding was set,
leaving time to find new matron for the
establishment Miss Dwight was certainly,
Is domestics say "bett-ring herself but she
was not eiated.
In fact, little regret stole into her heart
as she walked about the place where she ha,!
teen 50 independent, SO respected, and won
dered whether she should be happy In the
future.
AT least, she said, with degree OF hit
terness, Il matched him with his romance is
out Of the question between two like Us
Matched him, and went further
The bell tinkled in the hall Just as supper
time was over that evening, and In few
moments servant came to call Miss Dwight
ats gentleman; he don't know who he
wants." she said "Some one who knows all
about the place, he told me-"
And Dora went into the parlor, a bare look
ing room. long, and with white walls, a pane
carpet, library table, horsehair sofa, and
ak chairs, aud the portrait Of the founder of
the home over the mantelpiece. There stood
under this portrait, with his elbow on the
marble ITSELF a gentleman. Dark eyed dark
haired, with face that was not 50 much
handsome as delightful.
Writer'S often spend good deal Of time in
discussing what it Is that men see in the women
whom they fall in love witb-when they say;
This is the woman for mel'
believe the woman who meets for the first
time the only man on earth to whom she
would willingly give herself. has deeper ex-
periences still
TIE moment hal come to Miss Dwight.
She had waited thirty years for 1t, and now
the did not know what it meant But An UNI
conscious smile came to her lips, light to
her soft blue eyes flush to her smooth cheek,
She looked prettier than she could have
dreamed possible Of at that moment.
The stranger told his business He had re-
Gently come from Paris, where he had been
occupied in certain affairs for ten yearS
Mean while his brother had died, havin re-
Gently lost his wife He understood, to his
establishment, that his little nephew were in
the Home
'Of course. wish 10 take charge II shem,r
he said. Il am bachelor, but can arrange
for their care. They need not live on char
ity."
ut Is not charity, said Miss Dwight. .'Dr.
Ellwood gave largely to the Home in his life
time. The children are considered little
ladies and gentlemen. They are well edu-
Gated; taught the usages OF good society
They will have collegiate course when they
leave this place. Most Of the girls become
teachers, think. The bpyschooss their pro
fesaon. There would 1t lsast be no nesd Of
haste in removing them"
They talked together awhilA shs gathessd
that be was what might b called poor man.
He fingered after the boys had come and
gone. He came On ths norToW, ard again
and again The ostsusibls motive was to -
his nephews. but he also desired 70 - Nh
Dwight ssr.
Meanwhile. Or. Emory called every after
noon and consulted With Dora = to the new
pArtor cAspoe and u CANA
Buy good thingR- abe saad "WhaE h the
~ Il cutting . carpet that VIII fads soon,