Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-01-15
FRIDAY. JANUARY ID, 1883.

Swan.
Very we'll. replied the merchant, "this
evening, then. 60 home with me-"
Evening cane. and Charles Aubrey ac.
c,mpanicd his old friend home. Tea was
ready. the rest Of the family having eaten
an hour before. Alter tea, Charles was
conducted to the sitting.room where lamps
were burning, and where Mr.. Williams in.
formed him that he could amuso himself by
reading.
Charles SIT down there, and his employer
wen, out, but he could not read. Ills heart
beat wildly in hi, bosom, and his soul was
strangely worked upon. o, how natural
everything ,hcrcappcircl. And how many
happy. blisslul hours be had spent in that
amo room. Thus he sat when tho door
was slowly opened, and female appeared
within the apartment. She wa, bright
eyed, beautiful maiden. and when she frsi
entered happy smile was ON her face. But
th, smile fldcl away, AMI her lip' trcmbled.
She only stood there with her hands hall
extended, gazing iremblinsly upon the youth.
In a moment moro her bright eyes oVcrrAn
with tears. and then Charles started up.
H. could 10 no moro. Why else should hr
bo brought hiihcr? Why lcti ihus9 H.
hc.ra,cl M more. With one quick step he
spnng forward, and without one word,
caught her to his bosom.
MARY" he uttered, a' he saied into the
sparkling eye. of the fair bring who still
c'ung fondly to him, "you love mo still
you forgive me all-and trust mo once
more?"
"Ycs." she murnurcl, and berlre she
could speak further, her father came into
tho room.
Aha, So you've rlunl HIM, h,y, you,
Mary" be cried. in happy, joyous tone.
"Mr. Williams. uttsrcl Charles, still
holding Mary by the hand, and speaking
with difficulty. " | hope am not deceived.
oh. you have not brought me hero TO kill
MOI You cannot have passed the cup to
my liz, 10 dash Il away again"
"Or c1ur., not. returned the merchant
" hut YOU must know The whole truth. and
Gor fear my child may not',cll you all. III
tell you myself This noble girl has never
ceased 70 love you. and when you were the
lowest shc loycl You tho most Sho came
70 me and asked me il shc nigh, reclaim
YOU II shc could. could not tell her nay,
and N, went &, the work She las suir,r.
cl much. and. Charles. It romans with you
t' decide whrtbsr her futur, shall b, one Of
happiness or not. She know ,ha, you were
down. that your money wa' gone, and tha,
your tls, friend. had nrakcn you. Then
il was that her love for You grew bold and
strong Sh, wondered II y'n would repulse
her. She knew NJ, wha: might b. your
feelings. and % sa,o hcr..lC tie pain Of a
direct rcpul1c from you, she assumed Its.
gui.c, 50 ila, shc mishtarproach YOU with.
on, hens known, ani vt to gain some idea
OF your feelings, AMI slyo YOU il she could
tlink she his d,uc we'll At any rate shc
hi, rcsiinrI you 10 herself, AMI ,must now
b, your own fault II thc silkcn ii, is loosen.
cd again"
With ,hc,, word. the father left tho
apartment.
You, Mary? You in di'sui.a?" qucricl
Charles, as SOM as be could speak.
AYE, dear Charles, aud you know why
Ididit. Here, DO you remember it2" And
as she spoke, sha drew from her bosom a
small silkrn pur'c, and took thercfrOm a
siHponcc.
Tho youth recognized it in an instant
"Oh," be- cried, a, he strained the noble
girl to hi, bosom, what can say? Mary
-Nlary-my own hearts trues, lovc--lct
my life in years to come tell my gratitude.
oh, my nll in this life is yours, and my las,
breath shall b,ar your name in gratitude to
Cod"
Aud Charles Aubrey never forgot hi'
promise. With this noble companion by
hi, side, be travelled up the bill, and in bis
path the flowers of life grew thick and fra
grant.
Upon the wall Of his 'itiins.room hangs
a picture. LISA splendid painting Of the
prodigal sons rctarn. Upon the face Of u
heavy gil, frame, visitor, notice small
blcmish, but which. upon closer examina:
ton. proves To DC small silver coin. Our
readers need not be told why that bit of
metal is thus clrcfaIly preserved.
The PE,s,Nr PErricoAT. \ Washington
paper in it, account Of the New Years cell
obration furnishes the following paragraph,