Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-10


will send you letters from those who
have been restored to health and
strength. f'" fepl0tuesA
ship during which He, in age boy, had \
supportinge his y family, carrying the
burden that belongs to middle age, had
tempered not hardened him. His
mother was dead, his brothers settled
in life, his sisters married, and he was
free to live his life, make his happi-
ness.
The claSped hands Wrung them
selves convulsively together, then fell
apart. Had she indeed fallen so low?
Anything but that-oh, anything but
that Come misery, poverty, distress,
death-anything but to fall so low;
anything but the disgrace of being
Jealous Other own child!
"Mother!" the voice came in advance
of it's owner, as, like the spirit of mirth,
her eyes dancing with youth, freshness
and joy, Eva plunged through the
branches and flung herself down beside
her mother.
THE Car was looking for you; have
you seen him." she asked; then, with
sudden change of tone, "how old was
when first called him that, mother?"
"A little girl
"Why, yes of course. But how lit
tle?"
six or seven years old, perhaps"
WAS 1 fond of him then?' musing-
ly.
yes"
"Why do you suppose I gave him
such a fool name?"
I'VE often wondered why you chose
| it; there didn't seem to be any rea-
son for your doing So
"How did it happen?"
you asked him one day if he would
have any 'jections to your calling him
the Gar
| "And, of course, he said I might
dear old thing, 1 don't believe he has
ever been able to refuse me anything"
| There was a moment of silence and
then the girl went on.
| Mother, if the Car asks you for
anything, he is to have it. He wants
something, and you are to give it to
him, do you understand, old LADY,"
| The mothers face could not be more
drawn or panied, but gray paleness
| came over it as she turned it away.
Did the Car ask you for it, Eva?'
| ASK me? before he had spoken to
you? Well, hardly! But I'm not a bat
I-dearie," speaking soft and coaxingly,
as she lifted her blue eyes to her moth
er's face, pressing close against the
folds of her gown. Hes always been
so nice to me-please don't be unkind
to him. You will be good?"
| do you care very much for him,
Eva?'
Heaps. Here he comes. 1 can see
him through the trees. Remember,
now, you've promised" She was up
and away before the man could part
the branches through which she had
caught a glimpse of him.
| I've been looking for you every
where" he said simply, dropping down
on the grass at the woman's side and
meeting her smile of welcome with
one less grave. Then leaning back on
his elbow he studied her half-averted
face.
How long have we known each
other?" he asked quietly. She made
no answer and he repeated his ques-
ton.
Eight or ten years. isn't it? I
don't remember exactly.
Il should say you didn't, most un-
flattering person; it was twelve years
the fourth of last July"
Il remember now, Eva was not quite
six years old"
Evidently, as she told me last eve
| ming that she had an eighteenth birth
day couple of weeks ago. don't re-
member much about her then, not till
the next winter in New York, when she
was a good deal of little spitfire and
very much of a tyrant." She hasn't
changed much in those respects, has
she?'
You have changed since those days,
You We're an infant them
Possibly" he laughed softly, show
ing CLEAN of white teeth, and letting
his head fall back on his clasped hands.
I'm man now, though, Madame"
She stirred little at the pet name she
| had not heard for many year and
| vaguely smiled, avoiding speech.
| 1T seerhs to me, as look back" he
went on. dreamily, that my life began
that summer. Do you remember how
soon l began coming to you for advice
on al subjects? I measured my
thoughts and my actions alike by your
tWo-lool RUE. ana IL lney HtteQ IL,
was absolutely content
did they often fit?" she asked, the
lines about her mouth relaxing as she
yielded to the charm of his presence.
| For answer he leaned forward and
touched her hands, lying together on
her knee.
you've been worrying over some
| thing today" he said. 81 always knew
when You clasped them so tightly that
| things had gone wrong. What was
| the trouble. Madama?'
Il did not come here by accident this
summer he went on, finding that his
question was unanswered, II came for
purpose. + have been silent up to
today, beca6se'T have been 50 happy I
dared not risk losing all. was a
coward. feared to put my Fate to the
touch. You knew that + wanted
something, did you not?' ,a'"
Pale to the lips, thankful that he was
looking down at her hands, not up into