Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-01
NELINDA'S SMILE.

let the reins fall idly across Blue
bells sleek brown neck, and gave way
IN a flood of useless regrets and vain
in,arininrs of what might have been.
ill A voice from the footpath brought
back my wandering thoughts with ~
rush. | raised my head to find Ne
linda dazzling vision in blue cloth
and white fur-by my side, with the
same irresistible smile. and her fac"
and voice as fresh and sweet as spring
itself.
Good morning" she said. gayly
enough: but somewhere behind hey
smile ] caught a glimpse Of anxiety
and-could it be"-appeal.
Good morning" l knew that. if |
stopped. the little-very little-peace
of mind had gained in my long.
lonely ride would vanish like smoke:
but Bluebell. from long habit. took the
matter upon herself. and dropped her
head to Craze by the roadside.
Melinda drew a small. bare hand
from her white muff, and stroked the
sleek skin. | noticed how cunningly
the bunch of violets nestled in the soft
brown of her hair. and wished that !
was dead.
rs it true?" l asked, knowing we'll
enough that it was.
Melinda's head was still bent; per-
haps that was why her voice was
muffled.
Yes" she said. lit is true
DO you care for him." l went on,
and at this Melinda raised her head in
dignantly.
You have no right to ask. she said.
with flaming cheeks. II am very
fond of him indeed"
No" l said bitterly. Il have nc
right-no right beyond the promise
made so easily. broken so lightly.
will ask no more questions. 1t must
be easy indeed to be fond of such an
income as Leonard s-with good looks
into the bargain. Goodby: l wish you
luck. Melinda"
She caught my rein, and Bluehel
stopped again. She knew me, and she
knew Melinda. I had hired her many
times before | went away. and we had
always, somehow. met Melinda.
You are very unkind,' Melinda laid
quickly. 1T isn't the money-at least
not much. You know how hard il is at
home, with no money for anything
nice-I'm sure We couldn't be much
worse off if we were bcggars-and
mother grumbling and grumbing be-
cause Lisette and | were both engaged
10 poor people, and Margaret and
Mabel both growing out of their things
as fast as old nurse makes them. and
father worried awfully with bc1stly
bills
/ glanced at Melinda's tailor-ma
costume with a smile
She flushed again Her compile vion
is like pink-and- apple blossom.
Il had to have some decent things
when l was engaged" she explained
hurriedly. because of Leonard's re.
lations and things calling: but hey
aren't paid for yet. 50 you needn't
smile IL that horrid unbclievinf
way. And then" she went on
you went away all that time in South
Africa about those wretched railways.
and everybody said you would never
make any money. and they said was
selfish and horrid and cruel. and
Lisette would get engaged to the cur-
ate. and Margaret was always crying
because she couldn't 60 to parties ana
things and Leonard was al
ways here, kind and nice to every
body. and always doing generous
things till at last I got quite fond of
him. You know | am very
affectionate by nature"
Evidently" said l.
And then you said you
might be out for years and years
more"
Two years was what SAID
And everybody kept both
ering and bothering. and Leonard was
so kind and patient. till | thought ind
thought. and made up my mind at last
to write and break it off And
did"
Yes | said quietly, you did.
found your letter waiting for me
directly I got back. It was a pleasant
welcome home. The woman at my
rooms knew | was coming. so she did
not forward it. There is nothing more
to be said. is there
Wait q minute said Melinda.
when you We're away, I-cr-wrote t.
you'
You did" said |. once a week 70,
two years. | have got all your letters
They began with VOWS Of eternal con
stancy and they ended in
this
Her eyes filled with tears The.
were almost the color OF the violets il
her hat. and | wished she would finsl
what she had to say and let me go.
L didn't think you'd mind so much.
she said wistfully.
Il don't want to be rude,"I replied
but that is a leland you know it
Will you say what you have to SAY
and get it DONE"
Il want you to send back all my let
ters-that is ALL
"All?" said l.
Yes. have sent back yours. ant
your ring. and the little turuuois,
bangle with the nuSget-and-oh
everything you gave me-.
why should I send them back AZ
all?' | asked. They can't he pleas.
ant reading to you now
1T isn't that" she said: its because
of Leonard. He doesn't know we were
engaged and he has such ridiculou.
ideas about broken engagements. he
has sort of theory that he won't
marry a girl unless he is her frs,
love"
You are very foolish. There is not
likely to be much happiness for vou in
the future if YOU begin to deceive hir,