Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-08-12


led herself, too, while | was gone out. with
our joint baggage, and rumaging oil over
her trunks TO find box which | had ex-
pressed desire 10 see. She uended my
gloves. sewed the hand on my travelling
cap and found my cigar case whenever !
had lost IT,. which was about twenty times
a day. while she scolded me for the careless-
ness which sie declared almost equalled
her own. Long ago she bad given over in.
to my possession her elegant litile portmon.
naie, ' with all the money in IL. which she
was sure she should loose. us she could nov.
or keep anything" and as she had order.
oil the TO take out all that was needed Tor
her travelling expenses. opened IL with
trembling hands when was alone and ex.
amin-d the contents. There were, besides
all the bank bills with which she had prob
ably been furnished for her journey. and
which with pious caro- she had packed into
the smalles, possible compass, as much gold
a. her pretty toy could carry. tiny pearl
ring too small 10 it any finger but hers
which | am afraid kis.Dd--i card with q
name on IL and memorandum in n pretty
hand /" No. Olive street, ST. Louis"
which rightly conjectured, was the resi-.
dence Of her cousin Jenny whose husband I
was; very fortunate discovery for me.
lnderd thus far. had not found the way
Of the transgressor hard. in external cir.
cumstanees, at least, and when with her
| forgot everything bu, her grace ani beau
~, aud my firm resolution TO be no more
than a cousin should BE-; bat out Of that
charmed presence my conscience made me
miserable.
lam afraid must sometimes have bc-
traycd the conflicts Of feeling. had in my
manner; hut when was reserved and cer-
emonioGs with her, she always resented IL.
and begged me in such a bc-ecching way.
not to treat her -. and % call her by her
name " Florence" that had dreamed as
much as ever longed 10 do. could not
refuse her. But the thought that was
an imposter, Of whom, after our connection
had ceased. and she had discovered the Do.
ception prictieed upon her, she could think
or remember nothing that would not cause
unmcrited sclireproach and modification.
all innocent and trusting as she was. this
reflection. more than any other, ] confess,
and tho knowledge OF the estimation in
which she would forever hold me alter my
position was discovered, ngonized me. and
would have given all possessed to own il
TO her and leave her sigh, at once, though
the though, OF never seeing her more wa.
dreadful. But that could not be.
Al last We reached st Louis. DO say
eat last ~ when the sight OF those .plre.
and gables warned me that my brief dream
Of happiness was over, and the remor-cful
reflections which had been -taving oG So
long, were now 10 commences in earnest. ths
thought OF the bansbment IRON Florence
was dreadful to me, and the time seemed 10
ny with lightning wings rs il drew near.
She was all gaieiy and astonished at my
home and when We entered the carriage that
was to convey " % our destination. | had
bali mind 70 take c1warlly flight rath-
er than encounter the scorn and diapoint
ment Of those blue eyes; /; hut | mustered
courage and followed her in, giving the al.
dress found In the porimonnaie which for
tunately was TIE right one to the driver.
F." ilmos, home !" said she turning her
brigh, face towards me--we were rtlling
up the street and my time was short, show
can you be 50 cold and quiet?"
Because, Miss Florence" answered,
- the time has come in which must con-
less to you that ] have no right in tho
house to which we are Fastening than the
name by which you address me. and that
my only claim to either is tha. Of 40 i'm.
poster aud deceiver."
She turned her lovely face wondering and
puuled towards me.
Thank Heaven did not read tear and
aversion In il
"No right no claim - she repeated;
what can YOU meant"
told her frankly and fully, the whole
truth. nearly as have set IL down here.
denying nothing, concealng nothing. not
even the useless secret Of my love for her.
When the brief recital was ended. We both
remained silent, but although she had hid.
den her face. could see that she irrubled
with shame and repul.lon. The
sight OF her distress was agony 10 mo, aud
1 tried to say lev words OF apology.
You cannot blame and hate me. Miss
Dunda,d. noce than hate and blame my
self" said. Tor the distress have soun.
caused you. Heaven knows that
II accepted the charge OF 80 much innocence
AID beauty too lightly. have heavily
atoned since. in having occasioned this sal.
iering to you. and my own punishment is
greater than can bear"
The coach stopped as ! spoke /; che turn
Od towards mo eagerly, her face bearing
traces VI tears. and said In a low voice.
Do not misunderstood me II | was 90
silent"
The coachman threw open she door and
stood waiting. was Obliged to descend
md assist her out. | hardly dared touch
iha, lis,le hand. though IL was for the la't
lime, but | watched her graceful figure with
s,d distress. She was already recognized.
f,r tha danr uas thTawn open. and "A Dretty