Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-28

n few months, and moved into his new
house precisely as he had planned to do
tho only difference being that JEANNE
Burns was his bride instead OF Sallie
Dearing.
Sallie, meanwhile, was not left entirely
without consolation. for il she had lost
lover, she had gained friend, and that
friend was no less a parsonage thrn Nh.
Burch.
She was much surprised one day, on
opening the front door in answer to the
summons of the great brass knOckcr. to
behold him standing on the step, and his
horse paving at tho gate-about as much
surprised as you would be, if the statue
Of Washington which adorns the square
should dismount from its rampant stecd
and pay you visit.
He extended his hand smilingly, and
inquired for her father and mother, upon
which Salle invited him in. He said he
had been trying to obtain some of the old
English strawberry plants-he had the
lIovey's Seeding and the Bartlett, and in
fact almost every other varieiy-but the
old English had become very rare. and
he was told that Mr.. bearing had it. Up
on which Mr.. bearing said that he had,
and that Mr.. Burch was welcome TO some.
And then they fell into long conver-
sation about horticulture in general, and
Mrs. bearing treated him to n glass of
her elderberry wine. SO he staid an
hour or more, and though he addressed
but few words to Sallic. his hazel eyes
were upon her even while he talked TO
her father. And so upon one prcIeNt or
another he continued TO come, until at
last he came without any pIetext at all.
The old people valued his society on
their own account not little, but more
because, as they said. the companionship
OF cultivated gentleman like Mr.. Burch
was such an advantage 10 young girl
like their daughter. As for Sallie, she re-
garded him rs n dear brother. or at least
she thought she did, until her old friend
Mrs Burdock-the same who was scan
dalized by the "pink ribbons" destroy
ed the illusion. IL was one after
noon in early June, when Mr.. Dcaiing
slept in his armchair. his wife darncd his
stockings. and Sallie sat stitching away
upon some pretty piece of nonsense
which, truth to tell she was much ad-
dicted to doing-that Ms. Burdock
s,alkcd in like some gaunt and grizzly
Fate. After discoursing 4 short time
about the latcncss of the season, the pros
pcct for crops Mrs. Blacks "rheumatz" !"
and Mr. Browns broken leg-she came
at last 10 the subject uppcrmost in her
mind, and which had been the real
motive of her call.
$50 Mr.. Burch isgOing to be married" j"
she remarked. looking keenly ut Sallie.
That young woman gave little start
which caused her to prick her finger and
stain her work with blood. and let us
hope she derived momcntary satisfaction
from the fancy that the cambric was Mrs.
Burdock, and the needle dagger. She
did not, however, look up nor make any
reply, but her mother said in the most
commonplace way in the world.
"ls he? Who's the lady p
That haint found out, but he's fXin'
up his house with the beautilullest new
things. | made an arrant there and saw
'em myself. IL must he the Queen of
Shelby at least and Mrs. Burdock cackled
ut her own wit. Hes been down TO
Boston three times in one week-only
think of it," she added.
What followed Sallie did not hear
she felt confused and bewildered, and was
thankful when she could steal away TO
her chamber. Then she reproached her
self for feeling distressed at the news
..What Is it 10 me" thought she, whether
he is married or not He has been the
kindest and dearest of friends, and |
hoped things might continue rs they
were, but | had no right to expect it.
We'll, whatever happens. shall always
reverence him rs the noblest man in the
world-nobody can deprive me OF that
comfort"
Like many other young ladies. Sallie
was little given to superlatives, ss may
he seen.
Thenext day Mr.. Burch called, smiling.
rs handsome rs ever He confirmed the
truth of Mrs. Burdock's statement with
regard to retitting his house, and paid
Salle the compliment ofasking the benefit
OF her taste in completing the arrange
ments.
"Will you put on your hat, and go with
me now ?" he asked.
Certainly" she said, and tried to add,
with pleasure" but the words got no
further than her throat.
She remembered how she had once
gone over another house with another
bridegroom. but it was not that memory
which caused her TO sigh as she crossed
the threshold at Riverbank.
"Indeed, Mr.. Burch, you had little
need ofany taste but your own," observed
she.
They had nearly completed their survey
of the house, and were now standing by
n recess filed with choice plants.
..Th., ron ora nlea ase, pr he asked