Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-04-15

ra on the stair way, they went together,
when suddenly John Charlton threw the
library door open, aud there stood cousin
Phil
Mrs. Charlton, with n shout Of delight,
rushed forward 10 welcome him, and
when he had replied to her eager greet
ing, he looked past her at Georgia. 1t
was rs If eye met eye, and thought leap.
ed up to answer thought, but they only
bowed gravely to each other, and uttered
the few words that poliieness demanded,
and then, half bewildcred by the sudden
tunlult in her heart, Georgia preceded
him into The diningIoom.
Now. Phil, what have you been do
ing?" said Laura, as soon as her husband
was fairly launched in the carving of the
turkey "lTas business been going
wrong, or what is it that makes you look
ten years older, than you did last summer?
And why haven't you written think it
really unkind no, TO let us hear from you,
even once
Even once may be once too often"
said Phil. sarcasticaIly, and then rs if to
atone for his disagrceablc remark he
plunged into glowing account Of the
BUSINESS trips lie had been making, talk
ing of politics. the times, anything, every
thing except last summer, and the reason
he had not written. Georgia sitting op.
poSile 10 him, tried to eat her dinner in
stately Indifference, but succeeded only
in looking very dreamy and demurc rs
sho triilcd with the morscls on her plate
Phil asked for Tot. finally, and when
the desert came, she was brought down
in all The glory of a new white dress and
crimson sash Shcw shy at first, but
soon seemed to recognize him rs an old
friend, and gambolcl about him like a
playful kitten.
''What n darling she is" he said admir-.
iugly, and began to search in his pockets
Tor something 10 please her finding moth
ing but IN old cnrte dc riSiie Of his own,
but that was JOY Tor Tot. who do.ed on
pictures. She seized it with gurglc of
baby delight, and made as if she would
eat it up at once.
go, don't tear it, Tot, don't tear it ~ cX-
claimed Mrs. Charlton, bring it to ma
ma, and let her keep il for you"
But that WAS not Tots idea, and she
raced up aud down the room with her
treasure, stopping at last on the floor in
the corner by m ottoman 4 home made
ottoman il was, one Mrs. Charlton had
contrivcd herself, by mailing bright bits OF
carpet on m old box. To; tipped it over
and began tugging at the carpet with
great energy.
How comical children are" said Mr.
Charlton, looking after her. Now that
old ottoman Is as good to her a =
new country to explore would be to DR..
Livingston sWhat is she doing Laura?
Hiding that picture, upon my word!'
And he fastened to stop her.
"Why, there are more things in here !"
ho exclaimed; Its regular treasure
house. Here's IN old yellow envelope
to begin with" And with thumb and
finger he drew it ont from between the
ottomon cover and the wood.
80, my memorandum" cried Mrs.
Charlton, running across the room to get
it. It's list of all bought last Tuesday
and o, declare, if here isn't the five dol
lar bill | thought | had lost tucked into
the envelope. How careless hat was in
me-"
Here is half cookey," said Mr..
Charlton, making further explanations,
land 4 leaf out of the primer; and what's
this? A letter for you, Georgia-you
must have dropped it some where, and
Tot has hid it away here
"a letter for me. exclaimed Georgia,
coming forward
Yes. and on my word the seal ism t
broken. Wei, Miss Tot, this is very line
The letter NAV have lain there six months,
ever since the child learned to walk, ]
only hope it wasn't an invitation to q
party"