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

| could not ii the sound of my foot on the
gravel should betray my approach; thus l
got close to her before she knew / was
near. She started violently, and the
color rushed to her cheek. The slightest
thing would bring it--I have seen her
flush at the sudden rising of a bird from
the thicket. The next moment she smiled
and held out her hand "Oh is it you
You startled me. had no idea any body
was near" and the sweet eyes were
raised TO mine trustingly. Won't you
come in9"
Not if / may stay out--unless you are
tired?'
''Oh no, am never tired of being in
the garden. So you'll help me to gather
my flowers. See, you can reach up to
those sprays of honeysuckle; get some OF
the best, the rosiest, for me-"
"Ah how delicious she said, inhaling
the fragrance with deep ecstatic inspira-
ton, and she held up to me the blossom
that had Just touched her face. / kissed
the flower; / took the hand that held 1t;
told her all had to tell. She stood
still, her head bent so that the hat hid her
face from me, and knew not in what
spirit she listened till sigh that was halt
a sob checked me.
She looked up with a face so full of pain,
of pity. of perplcxity. OF deprcciating APP
peal, that though the hope in my heart
sank down. almost felt more for the
sorrow in her face than for that of my
own soul.
Forgive me-" she said. | did not
know that you-that you cared for me
that way. have been engaged these
two years. He is in India, and coming
back in August, oh. you don't think !
have been coquettish-that | have been
knowingly leading you on to 'his-do
you?" In her earnestncss She laid her
hand on mine. and lifted her face with n
trcmulous mouth, and eyes brimiul OF
tears.
IC | had died forit, must have snatchcd
the consolation the moment ofcred-the
last, the only one. drew her on my
heart. holding her close; and ] stilled the
quiycring of the lips with twenty kisses.
When released her, she turned her
back to me, hid her face in her hands, and
sobbed till her frame shook.
'Loisette, Loisette, forgive me! |
could not help it, swear could not
help il, LoiSctte"
She shook her head.
.I.oi>ettc, think how love You; think
what feel in knowing all the hope had
of YOU is gone-gone forever Loisette. |
am going away, where lean never offend
YOU more Think that what have done
was done in parting with You for the last
timc-a last farewell, Loisette."
She tried to speak, but sobs made her
iuarticulate; still knew she was bitterly
rcproaching me.
Yes know have no right to expect
forgiveness. will 60. won't distress
YOU farther. But We have at least been
friends, dear, and you cannot think of
that, and let me 60 forever, without one
word"
Still she was silent. flung up my
arms, rs man does who has lost all !
and with a great groan turned to leave
her. heard her move, heard her at
tempt to speak, and looked back. Her
face was still ayerted, still covered with
one hand But the other was held out 10
me, and springing back ltook okitreverently,
and bent my lips upon it.
God forever bless you, Loisette, the
one and only woman in His earth for
me-
And God bless you, and comfort you"
she said. l wish | could have been a
better friend to you-I meant to be.
Always believe that"
Il will, do"
And so Loisette and parted. The May
morning was darkened as Ipassed through
the garden gate again. turned my steps
| knew not whither-away, away, where
no one could see me. That was the only
wish or instinct | had.
Iwalked miles, seeking rest, and find
ing none. At last stopped at gate,
and leaned my arms on it, and looked
blindly over the wide landscape spread
before me.
As | gazed dull numbness fell on my
sorrow, and my perceptions of outward
objects slowly returned.
watched some children gathering
blossoms of the May, and thought what q
pity it was they should tear the boughs
down so, and destroy SO much to secure
so little. / watched stealthy cat creep
ing through the long undulations of the
grass, on the hunt for the poor little
tender young rabbits. Up sprang alark,
bursting into ripples of song, and my
eyes followed him, rising. lowering rising
again, pausing, balancing on the wing,
soaring up once more, dating away
obliquely, resting awhile. but always
singing-singing as if he could not cease
for his life-then dashing down like a
stone and vanishing.
And then my great grief seized me
once more and dropped on the turf and
hid my face in my arms, and cried as l
had never cried since | was a boy, when