Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-26

lowing to mother having discour-
| aged him. he left me. and took to going
with you. And there's no denying that
he's been all wrapped up in you. But
at the same time, it's hardly likely that
he's forgotten the times we went home
from singing school together
IF l should be taken away ex-
claimed Mrs. Judd with some spirit, II
doubt if Horatio would even think of
such a thing as marrying again"
II don't suppose he would. if nobody
put it into his head. But I'm not go
| ing to wait for him. The fact is" con-
| fessed Miss Serena shamelessly, I'm
going to set my cap for him."
| Mrs Judd apparently found herself
| incapable of speech.
| Tn. talking 20 you. Mary" Miss Sc
rena continued. las ] wouldn't to most
wives. But l know how unselfish you
are, and Sensible into the bargain. Now
here you're going right up to Heaven
to enjoy harp playing and singing
/ hymns. and all the other things you're
set on. and here poor Horatio is left
with only the company of a sister that
Stops over into tears every time you
| jog her, like an over-full tumbler II
know you couldn't be real contented IN
| in glory unless your mind was at ease
about Horatio, and 1 want to promise
| YOU that III see to it he doesn't pine
Hong"
1t was welcome relief to HoratiO
Judd when on his return home that
afternoon he heard nothing about the
celestial scenes which of late had occu-
| CHI l.. f.a'S
thoughts. If Mary was more ouerulous
than usual at times almost irritable,
this too was relief, as her unearthly
serenity was largely responsible for his
feeling that she was not long for this
| world.
serena Valentine was here this af-
ternoon," she announced abruptly in
the course of the evening
Yes. saw nor yesterday. I'm glad
she's got home. It's given me a lone
some sort of feeling 70 go by her cot
tage and see it shut un.'
Serena is a very well-meaning wo-
man." said Mrs. Judd. with an air of
angelic patience, but l sometimes
think there is coarse streak in her"
| Horatio was delighted to find his
wife inclined to converse on such mum
lane topic as Serena Valentine. ''She
was clipper when she was girl,
Full of fun. Kept a fellow laughing till
he couldn't get his breath. She was as
pretty as picture at sixteen he add
ed r"minscently. "And she's nice
looking woman yet"
Mary Judd WINGED. She was Well sat
isfied with her own deiicately spiritual
beauty, but in whose eyes the vigorous
figure and the bright color of Serena
Valentine WOULD be more attractive.
Perhaps HoratiO was one of these men.
She wondered if he had really kissed
her at the gate, i'm those days when Sc
rena was "as pretty as picture
!, When Miss Serena made her second
call, she choose time when Eoratio
would be at home. Horatio had been
| receiving instructions from his wife as
to the disposition of some little personal
belongings after her death, and he had
=, protested and pleaded and mopped his
eyes with his handkerchief, and finally
composed himself to listen. his heart
heavy with misery. The entrance of
Serena was like the bursting OF the
sunshine into a darkened room when
he shutters are thrown open. He
wrung her hand in a transport of relief
Mary Judd cnntented herself with a
}'ess cordial greeting.
That evening Serena eXerted herself
to he entertaining. She talked of the
sights she had seen on her travels, and
HoratiO'S frequent questions showed
that she had succeeded in capturing his
interest. She related several amusing
experiences with a dry humor which
would have captivated a more critical
audience. and Horatio's laughter was
| er reward. But Mary Judd lay back
| y her chair, smiling family, almost
idly. she wondered why it was that
she never felt so little prepared for &C.
lestial peace as when in Serenas pres
fence.
Don't CO. HOratio urged. when Sc
rena rose to her feet, Il haven't
laughed so much in a dogs age, 'tisn't
late yet. Can't You sit down again?'
"T'm going to stay all night with Mrs
Parks. The children are all down with
the measles and I'm going to give her a
chance to get little rest. But we'll
have plenty of time later. to talk over
my travels" she added, and Mrs Judd
suspected a double meaning in the
words. Cool night, Mary. You're
really got quite d color this evening""
| When HOratio returned from seeing
Serena to the door, his face wore an
distracted look, as if his thoughts were
busy with some pleasant recollections
Mary watched him furtvely Then she
spoke his name and he started at the
peremptory ring in her voice.
!, "Horatio is there any beef tea in the
ice chest?"
TN see, dearic; are YOU hunery?"
mo, I'm not hungry, but l want some