Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1864-07-15
vi | = G f. L l. An Y.
Judge Harding. Birth paI Gin.


lighted. ~iih the exception Of the Ibrary
and that used in common BY the two dome..
iics. let there had been a time When
tho-c darkensd and deserted parlors had
BEEN one blare ofhghi. and its walls hsi
echoed 10 The sound Of merry laughter and
gay young Soiccs.
Jadgc Harding entered the library. and
closing the DIOR looked dreariiy around
Ist u vss hiled With all tAe appliances Of
~eaith and luxury the carpet was ike vel
vet 20 the foot. the lof,y walls we're decked
9TH picturus. and the vide. deep windows
hung With vine oolorrd drApery q the rich
est sIik
\ large easy chair was Wheeled in front
of the tre. ~hicb gave forth a ruddv GLOW
across e lay dressing gown. while on the
rug verc slippers. all rcady for his feet
But Judge Harding kne~ "a was the work
of old MArgery. his bou.ekeeper. Who.
though sbe had been in his service t-o
score wears. feared more than she loved
h'Hn- There vas no eve 20 brighten AZ hi.
approach. no voice b welcome him,
This thought vas upperuost ia the old
usAn's mind. As leaniag back IN his cha ir.
b. CARED sbstrActeily into th- Ere Sone
years before. God bad called % himself the
-ife II has youth taken her rDercifaIly from
the evd 70 come. One % the sons she had
borne hin Sled druukard's grave. the
other had been unortally wounded In some
disgraceful quarrel. Bot Estellr. his Iit-
tie kstelle. the e-c lamb % MS dock. low
cd beyond all others. and vet Who lad
wounded n. heart 80 sorely. where va shc :
Al. well be knew that the December
sso~ ~ss falling upon ber grave; that he
did un~cotbei BY the kno-lcdsc - hi.
forgiveness
The iron grcy locks that shaded his TEN
Pies accorded vel Nth the general expires.
sioa Of III stroagiy marked featarcs. and
~hich ~cre characterized by har,incs. and
eoiiness almost rsPeIlin-. yet through it
could b. seea traces Of depth % mental
anguish % which weaker natures are inca
pabie.
Hs wss aroused froa the gloomy rever-
- into ~hieh BE- bal ALLEN By old Margrry.
-ho. opening the door. sad.
"TbeTc i'A ~onln and li'ile g irl in
the ball Who insists on seeing you
. Did she give her names~
"She said her name Sas Dugaid.- re-
turned Margvry. sPeaking With evident
hc-itstion.
Bot eontrary 20 her eEPectations. this
mention q a name hated above an others
producct no visible effect upon her master.
Sho~ her IN. ~ be said after a moments
reflection.
It uas difficult % determine the az q The
woman ~ho entered. Her hair vas nearly
~hfie. bet her eye bright and piercing. an,A
her tai. strongly buili frame a. erect a. in
early liie. Though evidently q apcrson q
hftle ed1cstion. her corntenance and bear
ing Indicated an unusual amount % viii
and energy. combined wiih no littie shrcud-
ness and earontery
Judse Harding evidently sau al this IN
tt- steady look viii which BE- regarded her.
I" You arc the mother Of the late Rieh-
ari Dugaids-
'' ] an the mother Of your late daughier's
husband. Jsdge Harding
h proud old man sinccd visbiy q, this
thrust. bui did not bose his Gel possession.
"Ani 'his Is tbe chiid of your sons- be-
inquired. pointing 20 lovely 5ttle girl o.
siS. clad ia deep mourning. who "a. stand
ing by hersile.
ibis is the daughter of Richard and
E.tene Dasaid your grandrhili and mine.
Ju3ge Hariine,- returned the wousn ia
tbc sane sharp dcsirttont.
Jai-e Hard.og rarIr raf ...trotelf COS.
s,stemerf. taafrs dough be- uas. bat Die
vo.r- f... i ..arper Zone al. hc said.
NJ by have yoa broaght her o. me.'
"Beesuse have noe thc means of cup
porting her ard you have
Did your lafe son have no property '-
For a moment ths voaan's ewes uatereI
beneath his penetrating look. theu .i. .aiI
boldly
Nofhinr nlt a mere Tluarrr. uhitH
sas more than ssa-.oscd up By ere srren-
ses RI your daughter's las sekncss-
Judge Hsriinr's eyes b'azed rith q sol
Zen scorn that uas almost startling
DO not hope fo isiaie me .0 easily. -
b. erred. There b. not oac at of yours
tlat las escapci my natice fknov tta'
your son leit property vh,eh sioaH have
desoeaied % his -ifc and ch1i. of which
yo1 took possession. kn1v also. ths
gruigng care you bestowed on the d-ialcl
g.ri that yoar son lared irou hcr !..nls