Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-01-29

TIC lever. Here are some thlngs lOr you
to wear while they are drying.
She hustled away, on nhospitable thought
intent; and the stranger made the ex-
change with quizzical smile playing
around his lips. He was tall, well formed
tman, with bold but handsome facc-sun
burnt but heavily bearded, and looking
anything but delicate, though his blue
eyes glanced out from under forehead
white as snow.
Upon my word, this is stepping into
the old mans shoes, with a vengeance.
And what hearty good natured looking
woman she is; = and he leaned forward
and stroked the cat and brood, and then
patted old Bowse on the head.
at is a wonder Bowse does not growl.'
This remark was addressed neither to
the stranger nor to the dog, but to her
self. She had forgotten that the little
stand was not empty. and there was no
room on il for the things she held.
"Oh TIL manage that" said her guest
gathering up paper, candle, apples and
spectacles (it wasnot without little pang
| that she saw them in his hard, for they
! had been the deacon's and were placed
each night, like the armchair, beside her, J
and depoSiting them on the settec.
Il had supper long ago, but really |
think can take something more"
"Of course You can sir. Let me give
YOU n piece of this ham"
Your own curing, dare say
Yes; my poor husband was very fon 4
of il. He used to say no one understood
curing ham and drying beefbctter than /. "
He was most sensible man, am
sure. will drink yom health madam, in
this cider"
lie took long draught and then set
down his glass.
1T i like nectar"
The widow was feeding the dog and
eat (who were entitled 10 a share of ev-
erv meal eaten in the housc) and did not
quite hear what he said.
Fine dog, ma'am, and very pretty
cat"
They were my husbands favoritcs.
and sigh followed the answer.
The blue eyes looked at her so long
tina, she grew Hurried.
'.Is there anything more can get for
YOU, said she at last
Nothing. thank You, have finished" !"
She rose to clear the things away. lie
assisted her, and somehow their hands
had queer knack of touching as they
carried the dishes 10 the pantry shelves.
Coming back to the Kitchen she put the
apples and cider in their places. and
brought ont pipe and box of tobacco.
My husband always said he could not
sleep after supper late unless he smoked. "
Not if its going to drive YOU away. "
'.Oh, no. do not Object to smoke Mt
all
The stranger pushed the stand back.
after the pipe was lit, and drew her easy
chair little nearer the fire-and his
own.
Come. sit down" he said, pleading
/ ly. Iii j. not late; and when man has
been knocked about in California, and all
sorts of places, for score of years, he
i glad enough to get into birth like
this, and TO have pretty woman To speak
Ia again
"Caliiornia2 Have YOU been to Cali
fornia:n she exclaimed, dropping into the
chair. UuconSciously. she had long
cherished the idea that Sam Payson--ihe
lover Of her youth--with whom she had
fooHshly quarreled. had pitched his tent.
after many wanderings, in that iar-oil
/ land. Her heart warmed 10 one who,
with something of Sans looks and ways
about him, had also been soiourning III
the country, very possibly had met him
perhaps had known him intimately. At
that moment her heart beat quick. and
she looked very graciously at the bearded
stranger. who, wrapped in Mr.. Cobb's
I dressing gown, wearing Mr.. Cobb's slip
perS. and sitting in Mr.. Cobbs chair, be-
side Mr.. Cobb's wife. smoked Mr.. Cobb's
pipe with such an air of feeling thorough
| ly and comfortably at home.
Yes. ma'am. Eve been in California
for six years. And before that went
quite round the world in whaling ship"
Good gracious
The stranger sent a puff OF smoke curl
| ing gracefully over his head.
1t is very strange, my dear lady. how
often YOU see one thing as you 90 wander
ing about the, world after that fashion,
And what is that?'
MEN without houses or home above
their heads, rowing here and there, turn
ING up i'm all sorts of odd places-caring
very little for life as general thing, and
making fortunes just TO fling them away
and all for one reason. You don't ask
what that is? No doubt you know already
very we'll"
II think not, sir.
because a woman has Tilted them"
Here was n long pause, and Mr.. Cobb's
pipe emitted short puffs with surprising
rspidity. A guilty conscience needs no
accuser; the widows cheeks were dyed
with bushes as she thought of the absent