Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-10

tried to hide my confusion from them
by becoming deeply absorbed in a
bunch Of grapes. Uncle went on,
genially:
He Is a fine young fellOw-doing
mighty good work for that engineering
firm of his, toO-a rising young man.
You will like him. Helen. believe you
have met him before, haven't you, Flor
ence?' / assented as carelessly as
could. Il didn't think to tell him you
We're here. but it will be all the pleas
anter surprise to find an old acquaint-
ance when he comes he concluded.
Yes; l could fancy what a pleasant
surprise it would be. Oh. if only uncle
had told him We should have been
spared this most embarrassing meeting.
For Cousin Patty. who was to be of
our party, knew all about it, and good
ness knows how many of the others
might have heard part of the gossip.
which would make their curious
scrutiny all the harder to bear.
l passed miserable Christmas eve
wondering how should meet him. OF
his own dignified self-poise I was quite
confident. but l felt sure that / should
never be able to carry off my part with
ease and grace. and so entertain him at
my uncle's table that the dear old peo-
pie should not be troubled by my cold
ness or panied by my evident pain.
However. the meeting was less hard
than l had expected. He came quite
fashionably late. and l also delayed
coming down to meet the guests as
long as / decently dared. i had put on
my prettiest gown of deep crimson silk
Il knew uncle would expect me to look
my best on Christmas highland
wore also the second large bunch Of
beautiful crimson roses. These had
come for me Christmas morning, while
the others We're still as fresh as ever
these also with no name or card, but
accompanied by another box of huge
Parma violets for Aunt Helen. 1t
seemed as if the favor must come from
one of her dinner guests. But which
one of them all would think of just this
especial compliment? Could it be that
funny little Freddy Waterman, uncle's
junior clerk? l could not guess.
We met formally, like the mere ac-
quaintances of last winter, as if it had
been only a day since then. He had
hardly changed. l thought, except TO
grow manlier and more grave. / Won
dered if he saw any change in me. He
behaved remarkably well in concealine
his inevitable surprise to find me there.
but i saw his eyes rest on my roses
with an expression which made-sne feel
a sudden uncertain weakness.
Fate-or uncle-ordainad that he
should take me in to dinner. He
seemed anxious to appear amiable, but
| dared not lbe other than GOODNESS it
self. We spoke formally upon general
topics. never abiding to my absence of
a year. Little Freddy Waterman sa;
at my right. and as soon as I could
turned my conversation to his side.
At first Theodore tried to join in with
us, but the effort was too thanklesS,
and he soon began a discussion across
the table with Patty and several
others. to which l paid little attention.
laughing and joking with Freddy in a
nervous attempt TO keep up my spirits.
and to appear cheerful and easy at all
events. l think must have succeeded
even better than usual, for saw uncle
smiling at me frequently with COM
plaeent satisfaction, while once or
twice caught auntie's less approving
and somewhat surprised observation OF
my gaiety.
They were talking about the library
/ heard them mention Sargents picture
but l was not interested. Then
Patty asked how Mr.. Weston liked the
Chavannes panels on the staircase.
Il was at the library day before yes
terday-in fact. yesterday, too"
heard this latter part of his answer
and l laughed aloud nervously, osten-
sibly at one of Freddy's feeble sallies
as I remembered how l had stolen his
book
by the way" he continued, Il mean
to put in protest against the slack
ness of their present delivery of
books
why, what is the especial trouble
now?" asked Patty. Il though they
had inventions to facilitate everything
in the new library
l was listening with one ear now.
We'll, the more appliances they have
the harder it seems to get what you
want he answered. AT least that
has been my experience
l could have corroborated this state
ment but dared not now turn more
than the back of my head in his direc-
ton, though I felt his frequent chances
thereon as deserved reproach for my
impoliteness.
Only the other day. he went on.
Il found that a book which needed
very much. and for which had been
waiting some time, had been delivered
to some one else. The wretched in
diWdual went off with it-much good
may it do him! And now here l am,
sans book, sans card. sans every
thing"
l heard no more of Freddy's joke.
What did this mean? He had not re-
ceived his book from me, after all. My
suspense was increased, how ever, by
Patty's next remark:
well, declare! That is the strang-
est thing. I meant to speak with you
about it, Mr.. Weston. That very book
on acknowledgements, wasn't it?-
was sent me by messenger yesterday,
your library-card inclosed. wondered
what on earth you meant by sending it
to me. l couldn't see the joke
We'll, that is strange enough" he
laughed, wonderingly. who do you
suppose sent it. and why to you?'
The horrible suspicion began to dawn
upon me. / knew very well who had