Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-26
FEBRUARY 26, 1869.

word, and that if you will promise, You
will keep your word. Come and dine to-
morrow, will youP"
Ipromised. / could not be more mis-
erable than was, and must learn all
wanted to. But | would not go to din
per-I remembered too well the last time
| had dined there; so said would go
in the morning.
When | entered the drawing-room,
what rush of memories ut sight OF the
familiar place, of the two women sitting
by the fire rs they had year ago--all
but |, apparently unchanged
know not how it all came about, but
in n few minutes found myself making
one i'm the circle as of old. | could not
speak Loisette, too, was silent. Mrs.
Hamilton talked for us all.
Presently she glanced at the clock on
the mantlepiece. Three already! You
must excuse me. Dear. | shall barely
be in time to meet Mrs l.. ut the station.
You won't go, or shall think you are
offended. When shall we see YOU again?
Settle il with Loisette. Goodbye. No,
au revoir," And she was gone, and Loi
settle and | were sitting side by side, ST.
lent.
Loisette WAS sitting. very pale and
calm, looking into the fire.
"Loisette,''
She gave an almost imperceptable
start, her color rose slightly. and she
turned her eyes on me for n momcnt-l
could not tell whether in rcproach or
mere surprisc--and then resumed her
gaze on the fire.
Miss Vane-arc YOU still Miss Vance"
Yes"
"When-how long -?" | could not
find words in which to put the question.
When am going 10 be married. you
would ask" she said. with calm that
was almost rigid. II am not going to
be married. have been Tilted"
You tilted. Loisctte!"
''Do You pity mc9 Don't. am glad of
it; glad, at least to be free; glad that !
have nothing to blame myself for in OBJ
tanning my freedom. Long before |
gained il felt we had made mistake.
and while was thinking of how might
sugges. the idea to-to him, he cut the
knot by marrying half-caSte damscl
with several lakhs OF rupees Though
what sort OF fortune that may be, |
have not the Eintcst conception y
faint CLEAN Of the old sweet archness
came across her iace.
bent forward, looking with all my
heart in my eyes on the son ha!f-avert-
cl profile, watching the conscious blood
rising slowly. ! laid M hand on the
little cold. rigidly claspcd hands; | ielt
them relaxing; gently my arm wound IL
self round her waist; her head dropped
on my shoulder, nestled there, aud was
still.
So we sat, until the pony-carriagc
stopped at the gate. Mrs. Hamilton
came in in somewhat demonstratiyc
manner. She glanced At Loisette, then
at me. and understood it all.
$50 you bore my absence with what
equanimity you might" she said, lifting
her bright face to mine, with world of
congratulation in her eyes. Nor you'll
stay to dinner
Loisctte turned end fed.
"God bless you, You dear woman" !
said Il never expected to be so glad to
get rid of you as was an hour ago
And God bless yoa' 1t was yOn |
wanted for brother al along. | always
hated the notion of Loisette marrying
that man. Poor child, she did not know
her own heart, and was persuaded into
accepting HIM If she had listened TO me
she would have thrown him over long
AGO: but she was too conscientious
while she thought he loved her. Per-
haps it's better as it is. | will tell you
something. She knows there is no mis-
take this time"