Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-06-13
MIS- CELLAN Y.
MAR1AN's ENGAGEMENT
ny rue K,

] oil his doing anything 20 e' w eAcus' n''"
Il was very warm day in July his clients
werc not importunste, tho hot weather ei
fec,iug tbcm nl.o; his purse had no lack o
cash. SO reasoned the bachelor. l car
take my case until cooler days, and he VA
no, long putting his words into effect.
lie, us tako q look q. him as he now ap
pears. resting in hi, easy chair on the pi
ARA. Those saucy black eyes arc closed
and tho gentleman is evidently in done
90 We can take close scrutiny without fea'
OF interruption. lie isa very handsome
bachelor. We decide Mt the first glance. toe
handsome indeed. for bachelor. not only
Tor the welfare Of all susceptible young la'
dies, but for his own peace Of mind for
until he loses some OF his attractions, bS
must expect TO be bored with the attentions
o. the fair scI. lie Is somewhere between
the ascs Of thir,r and forty, and carries IN
hi. iaco the marks Of n kind soul II you
cannot trust that. ask bic domestic, and
you will find tina, never was master more
idolired. lie is talented. rs his conversa,ion.
professional experiences. and writings prove.
Surely such q man was never meant 10 so
through life, bcrei, Of the blessed influence
Of q loving wifc. lle himself occasionally
Eel, the want; but ihi- always happened on
a few blue days which visited bin. ilc
generally Eel, very well satisfied with his
condition. and very Indifferent, 10 the socic.
~ OF ladies. lis had. however. that day
fol, that it would DO riilc plca.an'er TO
have some ono with whom 90 while away
the long summer hours. This doubtless was
the cause Of the strange dream tha, visited
him during hi. .lumbers. lie thought iha.
there was another occupant OF the piazza.
who at very near him. She was very beau.
tiiul. and hc seemed 20 feel o strange do
lish, in the contemplation OF iha, beauty.
lie though, they were husband and wife
aud happy couple into the bargain. lie
was jus, feeling tie strange touch OF
those thrilling lips, when, alas he awoke.
and. with half sigh, found bis better bali
was but q visionary one.
I.u, there WAS certainly beautiful young
lady just alish,ins from the dusty stage
coach at the door. wha, could il mean
lie expected no lady visitor; but lew bad
even dared to stop ai the gate OF tho bach
clor's establishment. Ii must be come mis-.
take. She was a- lovely a. tho lady Of his
dream pcrhap, she looked little like her.
bu, then she appeared much younger-.oo
juvenile indeed for wife. Certainly she
could no, be over fifteen. in sp.ie OF that
long skirt. II. sat watching her as she
fcarlcs.ly opsucd the gate, and a, lively
pace came up the walk, giving him at the
same time good look out OF pair Of spark.
ling blue eyes. Gracious. che Va. almost
up TO him. and be had not though, Of q
word 10 cay. She was now on the step OF
the piarra. and-heaven. what audaciiy
she had seated herself IN u chair iba.
stood close beside him. Guy thought she
might perhaps follow the course taken 10y
the lady Of bis dream, and was preparing
somewhat TREMENDOUSLY to compose his mouth
to receive kiss. lie never though, OF re.
sen,ins-no, he bu, no, .ho did nothing
Of the kind. She looked at him for mo-
rnent. and then coolly removed her hat.
Ilc saw now as she "a, there with the light
breeze bIowrg her sunny curls about her
fair face, tha, she was nothing bu, child,
and he ielt himself man again. 50 he
gave her wha, he should have done before,
low bow, and enquircd
'Can I DO anything for you. madam ?
a grca. DEAL was the reply. Bat
frs, le, me tell you who am, as SEQ you
do not know inc. am your COUSIN
Indeed! was no, aware | had that
honor
'oh, but you have; yes. you are happily
permitted it. suppose Of course you re.
member your deceased cousin Marian7'
Certainly
Well, am her daught,r-Marian Ad.
ans
And my second cousin.
Yes, and now hear my stOry-but first,
will you let me have n glass Of water, II
You plea.c'
Guy, with an amused smile at the little
lady's noncha!anee, but stopping said, just
to hear what sort Of On answer sho would
make,
Perhaps you would prefer to walk in
and rid yourself Of the dust
no. was the reply, will stay here
awhile-it Is cooler-and then 80 in and
take nap
wonderful, wonderful = was Guys cI-
elamation inside.
Now she mmenced, after sho had 70.
freshed herself with the water, you shall
hear something OF myself. Ny poor father
followed my mother to her grave about three
months ago. and /. has been found that Q
,riainy sum has been left Of his small estate.
have no nearer relation than you, and nc
cordingly, alter learning your address, ]
concluded to ask you in person to take care
Of me-
Guy looked at her 10 blank astonlshment,
and did not vouchsaie single word in On.
swer to her appeal.
You must confess. she continued, with
toss Of her aristocratic head, that Rus
cell should never depend upon manual Ia
Dor for q living, or trust to charity. We
turn ays alone. You ara rich and am poor.