Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-08-06

sure Of her hand upon his arm, she could
read nothing.
al am going home in five days." she
said, as they passed through the rooms.
"Are you sorry or gladP" she asked.
81 shall be glad to see my mother
again" she replied; "but | shall be sor-
ry to leave my aunt, she has been so kind
to me-and-and cousin Give"
"He is rather old, don't you think, Floyp
something of the old bachelor about him
old too to marry. in fact"
"Who-Clive she said. "Hc is not
old, is he? never noticed it. His hair is
not gray, and his face is not wrinkled.-
He is very handsome, is cousin Give"
"Handsome, FloyP You must have
put on loves spcctacles, surely; rs he is,
could never call him handsome yet"
"Don't talk nonsense, Willie,n said
Florence. pettishly. 81 repeat Give Har-
dinge is handsome /; he has more strength,
might, and majesty in his countenance
than dozen of ordinary men. Here he
comes; now judge for yourself"
If very weary look and face denoted
a handsome physique, Give lIardinge
certainly possessed it at that mement.-
He came forward to Florence.
Would You like to go now9" he said
kindly; "my mother is already cloakcd,
and waiting for the carriage"
She quietly took his proffercd arm, and
extended her hand to Gives friend. babe
him good night
Miss Lysle sat at work in her aunt's
room, the day before her depar-
ture home The blue cashmere robe she
wore suited well the purity of her com
plexion and the rich curls of glittering
hair. She looked marvelously pretty, and
so thought Give Hardinge, rs he made
it his special business TO visit the room
that morning. But her cyelashes were
wet; she looked rs if she had been she'd
ding tear or two, silently there to her
self and perhaps the softness and ten
derness in her face made her appear more
beautiful still Give carried long mar
row box in his hand, of blue enamel aud
gilt, and placed it under her eyes.
The bet, Florence" said he. Had
you forgotten it? You have won it quite
fairly-or will have done so tomorrow,
for there remains yet one more day before
the month is completed. Now will you
tell me why you have so coldly declined
the two offers of marriage you have been
honored with since your stay with us ?"
Il did not feel myself honored," she re-
piled. Zone was from spendthriit and
debauchec; and the other from brain
less fop, who possessed but one idea in
the world-that of admiring his own iig-
urc.m
"But you have repellcd admiration so
said Give; ''others, who
certainly admired you, might have"
Thank you, cousin Give, for the bet.
May look pr interrupted Florence l.ysle,
as she put out her hand for the box.
Certainly not, until tomorrow" was
the reply; "then you wear home the pret-
tiest pair of gloves the box contains, ii
YOU like; and when YOU are gone, per-
haps shall be able to get back my rest
again, and my appetite. You have rob
bed me of both since You have been
here
Cousin Clive," she exclaimed.
"I saw YOU have robbed me OF both,
repeated Give. Before | saw you ! was
able TO eat like any other mortal; but now
the dazzling things at the table are not
the plate and crystal, but pair OF hands
that keep moving up and down, and mes
merize nv ewes to look ut them. Before
YOU came could sleep soundly enough
at night. and wake up refreshed in the
morning; but now my dreams are wild
and feyerish, of bewildering eyes, and
glittering golden hair, and one ethereal
form that comes between me and SUM
ber."
please don't cousin Give" said Flor
ence
..But | will,n said he. "Oh you shall
fairly win your bet, my little Floy. am
a cross old bachelor, cousin; but for Ill
that, Imean to Tell you that | love you
with all my heart and soul"
Her head dropped down suddenly, and
the long hair fell over her hot cheeks. and
her hands trembled and clasped them
selves together on her lap.
There was painful pause, and when
Florence dared to lift her eyes she saw
Give Hardinges face buried in his folded
arms, quiet and still. She rose hesita-
tinglv, and then went up to him, placing
one soft hand on his hair, while with the
other she extended the unopened box.
Il do not want your gloves, cousin
Give" she said.
"Why not?" he asked, with white lips.
because | have lost my bet," she re-
piled, turning away her shy face.
"Florence-my darling Floy, have
won it ?" he exclaimed, rapturously, start.
ing up, and catching her hand.
"Yes, and me too" she murmured, rs
she lifted her blushing face to his, and his
arms closed round her in a tight embrace.
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