Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-08-06
stlctt storp.
4 MONTH IN THE COUNTRY,
AND WHAT CAME OF 1T.

And 50 YOU have really and truly en-
ioyed this month in the country, cousin
Cive?n
"Ihayc, indeed, Florence and the only
thing that takes the sting from regret at
leaving this place, is the thoughtthat you
are to return with me, and that | may try
my utmost to make YOU enjoy the next
month as have done this"
To introduce me into society. to bring
me out, SUPPOSE" said Florence. "But
don't YOU think | am rather old for that
sort of thing? l have seen twenty, cou-
sin Give"
Without one season in London" said
he without one admirer save the clown
ish young men ofthe neighborhood, with
out single offer ofmarriage, i'll mistake
not. Floy. 1t is really shocking to bury
your beauty for so long in such remote
place as this"
LAS To the offer of marriage You are
wrong" replied the young lady, laugh
inc. II have been honored by two, one
from Mr.. Sam Gregory, who, with good
deal of bashfulness and tigeting about,
asked nv consent TO be Mrs sam, and the
other from the Reverend Westrop Deane,
a poor curate, who couldn't sound his RS.
| didn't accept either"
Mr.. Give Hardinge lifted his hand with
a gesture of disgust, and shaking his head
replied doleiully, Which 1t will eventu-
ally come 10. perhaps, if you are not
quickly lifted out of this mediocre class in
that higher grade of society 10 which you
are entitled by birth and position. | am
very glad YOU are going to my mother
for little time for although there is not
nv dear cousin, more perfect lady in all
London than YOU. yet the constant com
panionship of this so-called upper class OF
the village mightin time cause you 10 for
get that your superior birth preclud ed
the possibility OF ever choosinga husband
from among the young men OF the lami-
lies YOU are in the habit of visiting; for
it would i'll beseem the blood OF Har-
dinge to mate beneath her.
The hot blood flew up in a torrent to
the girls face as her cousin uttered these
words, tor she knew her mother had been
so considered 10 demean herself when, two o
and twenty wears before, she disobeyed
the commands ola ternparent and stern
er brother, and proudly placed her hand
in the strong. warm grasp OF man who
had no sin against him but his poverty,
his ambitious day dreams, and his love
for her. She remembered how, In this
obscure spot, they had eked out his mea-
gre pittance; how the glorious produc
tons of art that his glowing imagination
had vivified into almost living creations,
had passed away, and left the noble face
drawn and sad, and the large, eloquent
eyes, that had foughts so bravely for them,
a closed volume of blindness and death.
Then the struggle of life for existence,
the long years OF suffering and sorrow OF
her early life. and subsequently the two
hundred pounds year that some un-
known relative. dying, left them.
She had never seen Il single member OF
her mothers family until few months
before, when Give Hardinge, son of that
brother who had sealed up his fathers
heart against his sister all the years OF his
life, came suddenly upon them in their
quiet home. was struck with the refine
ment that pervadcd the atmosphere in
which his aunt and cousin lived, and
charmed with the rare grace and fresh
beauty of the young girl. He FASTENED
to create an amiable understanding be-
tween his mother and Mrs. Lysle, which,
being easily effected, as Mrs. IIardinge
entertained no feeling of resentment to-
ward a woman she had never seen, he
suddenly fancied that the cool fresh breeze
of Hillside might have a beneficial intiu'
ence on his town bred constitution; and
therefore, without much eircumlocution,
he gave broad hint to that effect. His