Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-06-11

whom you r,sembled so strongly. And,
now my dear young lady, you will, Ihope,
allow us TO look upon you as friend.
My wife will call at once; and hope
very soon to welcome you at our house,
as have been so often welcomed at your
grandfather's."
"Well, Bernice Mapleton, said I, when
found myself alone with that individual,
"what do you think Of yourself now?"
Are you really yourself or somebody else?
Or have you been dreaming all these be-
wildering things P"
Mr.. Portman came in that very eve
ming, and congratulated me on my good
fortune, laughing heartily atmy account
of the interview with Mr.. Helmwood and
by the next morning was so fully per-
suaded that these things were what they
seemed that bought pound of french
candy to celebrate the event, and tried to
inveiglc Miss Plidget into sharing the
feast with me.
But that wary female, who was given
to dyspepsia and other absurdities, sol
emnly worked her way through one SUI.
gar plum, analyzing it all the while. rs
though II had been fragment of quartz,
or something else equally indigestible,
and then absolutely refused to eat any
more.
was engaged in exploring the recess
es Of the little bonbon bag when Mrs.
Henlwood was announced; and / went
down TO receive warm embrace from
the most elegant looking, not old but mid
dle-aged lady had ever seen. Her fca.
lures were regular and beautiful, she
was perfectly dressed, and had the air
CT dowager duchess. She insisted up
on my going home with her at once on a
visit; declared, in answer TO my objec-
tions, that | was not stranger. as she
had known my grandfather well and fl
nally. | was deposited in lovely square
room, surrounded by every luxury, and
expected to remain for an indefinite peri
cd. There were no daughters, and only
that one son so that Mrs. Helmwood de-
clared that it was n real charity for a
young lady to enliven their dullness. II
was certainly very pleasant task, as
enliv ened my own at the same time; and
felt very thankful for the advantage OF
having a grandfather.
Master George and were rather shy
of each other at first, but this gradually
wore ofr-and somehow or other we found
ourselves alone very frequently. tried
10 avoid this. for had no desire 10 repay
these peoples kindness TO me by taking
their son from them, for whom they prob
ably had some grander match in store
But one day the young gentleman made
some exceedingly incoherent remarks TO
me, and drew highly colored picture OF
our first meeting--in which, "my pictur'
esquely careless hair" and "coquettish
little apron" Git had great spot of ink
in one corner, but fortunately he did not
see that) figured largely-apd the eek
quisite picture" in Miss Pligets album
came in for share Of the general enthu'
siasm; and conducted myself in conse-
oucnce very much like an idiot, and came
very near forgetting everything. until
suddenly remembered to assure bim thai
his father and mother would be anything
but pleased at such IN arrangement, and
that could never consent to enter fam
ily that was not desirous Of receiving
me.
Ny lover suddenly disappeared, and
soon returned with his father.
1T seems to me young lady" said the
older gentleman, with quizzical look,
that in all Georges transactions with you,
/ am brought in to finish the business.
/ would have nothing to do with such q
stupid fellow. Your very honorable con-
duct my dear little girl, only makes me
the more anxious to welcome You as a
daughter; and il had entertained any
objections to such finale, do you think
| should have been weak enough TO ex-
pose my sou to the peril Of daily contact
with girl like youP"
had nothing to say to this (; and MIR.
Helmwood took me in his arms and kiss
ed me, and then led me to his wife, from
whom received an equally warm well
come.
1t is useless to say that those FIVE infants
on whom had expended so much sur
plus energy, were turned out to pasture
without any compunctions of conscience
and the young couple from Maine were
provided with large domicile, and some
very nice furniture to put in it.
Mr.. Portman would not allow me to pay
nv debt to him, but insisted upon its be-
ing appropriated to my trousseau {; and
my identical gold bonds were returned to
me just as l had given them to him. He
had the pleasure ofgiving me away but
he said the fact Of my never having be-
longed to him made this considerably
easier.
Nv father-in-law declared that he had
rather outwitted me alter all, as the mon
ey was all in the family.
A BEAUTIFUL SENTrMENT.-Dr Chalmers
beautifully says: 1.-The little that l have
seen in the world, and known OF the his
tory Of mankind teaches me to look up