Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-04

oAAO N6Ah WAN tSI SCc w LIE predcUef,
he's in de parlor room yet, an how come
it vo' cot sech er many rentlemens ter
fine an fetch 80 outen dat dar coalin's
placer"
I'm tell you, Patsey. There's another
Wedding on hand, Vance said, his eyes
twinkling; then as he got down from his
horse: "Let me help you a bit, major.
l think you will be the better for break
fast and six hours Of rest" Major Over
ton waved him back trife impatiently
and made to dismount in the old alert
fashion. But even as he swung himself
from stirrup pallor overspread his face.
He tottered and hung limp across the
saddle.
Kind hands lifted him reverently
thence, bore him inside and laid him in
the wide dim hall Dare knelt at his
side, chatting the nervous, veiny hands
that were learning thus late in life
what it was to tremble
Drink this. You are overspent, /"
Hildreth said, holding to the old mans
lips draft of milk and brandy. Major
Overton drained it; then, as his face
grew less gray, beckoned to Vance and
half whispered:
''Imow what it means, the beginning
Of the end. must live q few hours long
| er though. Dare-Allen-sh she must
| not
what is it that You wish, major? We
will do it or hang, but never think of
dying. You are good for years yet, !"
Vance said, trying to speak in his old
CHEEKY voice. Major Overton's lips
moved, but hardly sound came from
them. Allen, huTying to his side,
caught the old mans eyes of appeal.
Kneeling, he took Dares hands within
his own, then laid the two clasped across
the other nerveless palm. Instantly Ma
jor Overton's eyes frightened. He whis-
pered painfully, Eyes, take her-now. "
Dare laid her cheek softly to tho with
cred one on the pillow and said, sobbing:
"Oh, grandfather, surely you do not
want to be rid of me. Let everything go
until you are well again. %
| "I-am-well-now. Life has-been
"a fever" the old man said in a
strange, husky whisper Hildreth touch
ed Aliens arm.
II have sent swift messenger for a
| license" he said half under his breath.
''In two hours it will be here. You
must marry Dare at once. 1t is what the
major wishes and the only thing to do.
Poor old fellow! He has lived ON his
hope and courage this 40 years or more.
Now that the strain is ended, no wonder
he has broken down"
Il am more than ready to do as he
Wishes" Allen said in the same hushed
voice. 'But Dare-can she bear further
excitement after all she has underground"
ASK her," Hildreth said, stepping to
the bedside. There he took Major Over
toms hand in his and said aloud: "Now,
| major, all is as you would have it. The
minister is. here; the license soon will
be. You must drink some more brandy
and go to sleep until we wake you for
| the wedding"
YES, said Vance as the old man al
most smiled, "but first let me tell you
that Miss Dare is even more an heiress
than we thought. Our friend, the par
son, has just put into my hands deed
of gift to Exeter and all it contains, ex-
ecuted by Mrs. Hawkins within five
minutes of her marriage. 1t may not be
quite valid, but think it will stand. "
mo. fear we have lost Hawkins for
| good and always" Hildreth said as
Major Overton's eyelids fell in sleep.
Two hours later, robed all III white,
with a white rose in her hair and an
other at her breast, Dare gave her hand
to Allen Fauntleroy, standing just where
her mother had made her bridal vows.
| They had flung wide door and windows.
Outside the summer sun fell golden; the
summer winds laughed softly through
the leaves. Within the heavy furnished
splendors kept still their note of gloom,
though Patsey had done her faithful
best to brighten them with feathery as
paragus, sprays of scarlet trumpet vine
and white. August lilies.
Stretched helpless upon a rich faded
couch, Major Overton looked through
tears at the last of his line, given thus
at his own wish into the keeping of her
hereditary enemy. But they were not
bitter tears. Though Dare's eyes were
modestly downcast, happy bushes chased
one the other eloquently over her face.
Aliens countenance said even more
plainly that he had come through storm
and stress to his hearts dear desire.
Il pronounce you man and wife.
What God hath joined together, let no
man put asunder," the minister said
generously. And with one thought the
welded pair turned from him to kneel
in front of Major Overton and bow their
heads for his blessing
He had seemed past speech and mo-
ton, but with a last flash of the will
that had never quailed he half raised
himself, laid his hand on Dare's head
and said, with clear distinctness, "God
bless my children and keep their hearts
| full of love-"
'Amen!" said the minister, and every
listener only echoed it. Then solemn
hush fell on them all. for the old face.