Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-12-10

| StlIt.
"Homc!" said Maria Trevor. imperative
", to the coachman, as she folded tho
gay Afghan over her silken skirts. The
promised turn in the Park must stand
aside uow-Miss Trevor was anxious to
| impart the choice bit OF gossip she had
just CLEANED.
Mrs Trevor was dreaming over bit
of embroidery by the fire, and Charles
Trevor. standing in the bay window, was
glancing up and down the columns of the
morning paper as Miss Maria entered.
1t was magnificent drawing room, with
ceiling of fresco and gold, and carpets
soft and rich rs finest moss, while plate
glass windows, hung with massive satin
draperes, let in softened light, and rich
pictures glimmercd on the walls. The
| Treyors were not rich-but the Trevors
were very worldly, AMI knew exactly how
to make appearances their tool.
mamma, what do you think?' ex-
| claimed Maria. brcathless aud eager;
''that Ruth Murray, whom we met at
Wardley Place-the pretty blonde | told
you Of"
What of hcr?" asked Ms. Trevor, as
Maria stopped for breath, and Charles
looked quickly up, with deep flush on
his check
shes nothing but a dresSmaker.''
Nonsense, Maria, you surely must be
mistaken"
But I'm not mistaken. mamma.
saw her this very morning at Miss
Mackenz;e's; aud she tried my dress on
with her own hands"
Surely, my love, Kate Wardley would
never invite yoang person in that social
position to"
But, mamma. the Wardleys are so
odd. YOU never know what freaks they
may be guilty of. The idea of Il common
dressmaker presuming to associate with
lnDSt W UO dtc ~ lit dbpNC
stop moment, Maria" said Charles
Trevor, advancing into the room. Il
have vet 10 learn in what respect Miss
Murray is at all inferior 10 any of the
guests at Wardley Place in my cSlimn-
ton. her beauty, grace and intellect place
her far above any young lady there
There. mamma, told you Just how
it was" said Maria, turning to her mother.
Charles has been just foolish enough to
become infatuated with her baby face. |
wish we had never gone to Wardlcy
Place"
My dear boy" said Mrs. Trevor
"you surely cannot be in-carnest.
Mother" said Charles, quietly, ii Am
so deeply and entirely in earnest that
shall ask YOU within few days to
welcome Ruth Murray as your sons wife"
Charles" gasped the mother, 'are
you inSane?"
"Will you receive her as your second
daughter. mother"
Never
And ! never, never, will recognize
her rs one of the family" exclaimed
Maria, actually pale with anger. Charles,
how dare you degrade us? p
1T is an honor" returned her brother,
calmly. Ruth is jewel of the first wa
ter-more's the pity that you arc blind to
its sparkle
but Charles-my son." pleaded the
mother, 1--WE have so depended on yonr
making n worthy alliance"
Mother, l am SO sick OF this Scheming
and manGuvering," passionately spoke
out the young man. Depend upon it, |
shall never become the hangcr-on to
rich wife. have too much respect for
myself eve, to be bought and sold in the
matrimonial market. | love Ruth Murray
and shall marry her"
And from this position no storm of
tears. reproachcs or upbraidings, could
induce him to swerve one hairs Breadth
1t was not pleasant to be seen, this do
mestic whirlwind; but was not Ruth
Murray worth il all
And when will you be my wife, Rnth?'
Only wait until February, Charles,
pleaded the blue-eyed damscl, "lhare but
J ~.
he is coming home from abroad. Ishould
like him to be present at my marriage"
So Charles Trevor waited, much against
his will.
Maria Trevor came into the drawing
room one evening, full charged with the
| fashionable on dit of the day.
Mamma, everybody is talking about
this Sir William Murray, who has just
arrived from India. Mr.. Lacy says he
was communicating chief there, and is
immensly rich; moreover. that he is y
bachelor. and his niece is to be sole heir
ess. Couldn't we contrive to make her
acquaintance? Oh, if Charles wasn't
such an infatuated mailman about this
dress-making girl"
ats the same name," mused Mrs. Ire
vor; surely they cannot be nnetted''
Maria laughed contemptuously.
General Murray connected with =
dress. maker. That looks likely. don't it,
And Mrs. Trevor owned to herself that
the idea had been very vague and vision
AIRY one.
The wedding was to be quiet-Ruth had
insisted upon this--and as she walked to
the church dressed in neat gray travel