Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-11-11

chimneys were nestled in 4 bower Of fruit
trees, yellow and russct now. The road
down which Enoch was gazing was by
no means common country road. The
fences were all OF the best, and the foot
paths were shaded by fine stocky naples,
that were carpeting The wagon-tracks
with flecks of flame color. Every house
in Stockburn neighborhood was snug and
neat. with a well-to-do mir. 1t had the
best schoolhousc and church in the town
ship, and was what people calleda "crack"
street.
There's the stage coming round the
turnpike corner" exclaimed Enoch. rs
hiseyes followed a cloud Of dust.
cousin Lucy,n shouted Job. And he
threw down his fork and dashed away 10
the house; and minute moro Uncle
Dorset. bare headed, with hin broad, good
natured old face smiling all over, and
little. bus,ling Aunt Dorset, with her cap
strings flying, hurried out into the front
yard.
There was face al one OF the windows
of the Raynor farm house as the top.
heavy stage. with its six horses. and
tapping leather curtains, and piles OF
trunks strapped on behind, went crcak-
ing past. The house was too much shad-
cd for health, andthe face was in shadow.
Ii was young face, with an abundance
of soft hair, regular features, and large
blue eyes, that ought to have been patient
and loving; but there was an unnatural
compression about the lines OF the mouth,
that made ii look little stern. Now, rs
Inc stage passed quickly by. atfording to
the watching eyes at tho window a
glimpse of fascinating, girlsh counte'
ncncc, lovely in its bloom. with little
blue veil futtering from jockey hat,
Nancy Raynors head went down on her
work, and il seemed as ,hongh something
said in her ear: "Hc will love her: |
know he will love her"
So it appeared that Lucy M,lcom's ar
rival was causing some heart-burnings in
Slockburn neighborhood All uncon-
.cious Of this, Lucy-ihc rolndest. plump
est, merriest little maiden ever seen
tripped out of tn. stage when the driver
had brought his horses to. There was =
pair of sparkling black eyes adornng her
rosy face. and her laugh rang out as
clear as silver bell. Lucy had various
parcels. bags, and books, which she she'd
about as such little minxes will and a
young man, who had got down from the
stage to assist her in alightng. gathered
them up and handed them back. He was
evidently town-brod man, with white
hands and q downward look. and too
little chin, and carefully kept moustschs.
Lucy took her things from him in spretty,
pe,ulent sort of = way, giving him curt
little bow and the next moment they
were all on the ground, and she had her
arms huggsItightly round Uncle Dorset 5
neck.
Don't you mean to give mo one OF
them. Cousin Lucy?" inquired Enoch
leaning in ono Of his naturally graceful
postures against the gate. As the kisses
wen, dying about. think ! ought TO
come in Tor my share"
Tho saucy little maiden shook her black
tresse, very decidedly making eyes at
Enoch, Aunt Do rsct thought, just as Lucy
Parks used to do; and the next moment,
in one ofhe caprcious fits, she embraced
old Job with her chubby little arms and
gave him sounding smack. From that
time her filtration with Rnoch may be
said to have begun.
WHO is that spruce.looking young
fellow who helped you out of the stage
Lucy?' inquired Aunt Dorset, gazing
through her honest old specs. us he an
acquaintance ofyours?" The young man
had mounted TO the drivers seat while
the operation Of getting the trunk off was
in progress, and appeared 20 be watching
the group in The front yard under the To-
Gust trees with considerable interest.
oh, believe he has got business some
where around here" returned Lucy, with
all Indifferent toss of her head. "He was
very civil to me on the journey
Il am afraid you arc bit Off iirt.
child" said Aunt Dorset. And then she
thought to herself, "Iler mother was be-
fore her pity if she shouldn't be-"
"Me flrt! Oh, Aunlie!" and Lucy's
black eyes rolled up. and her mouth
puckered itself into 2 dewy, rosy ex.
clamation point.
They were in the house now and Aunt
Dorset had shown her niece up to the
best room, shut up as best rooms are apt
to be in the country, and heavy with old
mahogany furniture, and high-post bed
stead, with its dimity. tester and mountain
of feathers. The moment the little
dumpling Of al old lady had trotted out
of the room to fetch something that had
been forgotten. Lucy skipped to the
window. pushed back the blinds. and let
her handkerchief fiutter out in the breeze.
Strange TO say, there was answering
signal from the top of the stage. Enoch,
who was lingering below in the yard,
saw the vancouver, and said to himself;
She's q rornlar little case | believe she