Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-09-30

t<s'NAN l'iiOuSttN StiV " ~ ONCSNNiIr,
on pair Of feet so dainty that 1t always
seemed n waste to walk OH them. She
certainly made very pretty picture, and
showed to much better advantage than in
the drawing room, where she was apt TO
be missyish in manner; but why should
Barry have fallen in love with her? He
had seen other pictures just rs pretty.
However, the thing was done, and love is
something like measlcs-the later in life
the harder You get it. More vexation !;
for from the very start it was manifest
that Barry had no chance with Fid. He
labored under the immense disadvantage
that is apt to attend the real thing when
compared with the counterfeit He was
man worth the name, deeply in love
and his passion made him at once doubt
ful of himself and defcrcntial Fid was a
coquette, bent on conquest, and as cool rs
he had ever been in his life. Barry was
in earnest, and therefore cautious. Fid
meant nothing serious. and so had no fear
of consequences; and from the outset
Bessie preferred Fid's cheap graces to the
real gentleman, just as babies choose the
penny books in rcd and yellow to Shake.
spcare.
Still, who could blame the child? Out
of her chid's life, in quiet home, she
walked into a world gorgeous by contrast,
full of flowers, Strauss waltzes, and
alteration Three weeks before she was
n subject under maternal discipline. Now
she was sovereign, in virtue of her
lovelineSs and in that enchanted time
she was truly lovely. Beauty ,all beauty,
is worn, and can be worn. SO carelessly
that it is marred, like fine dress badly
arranged. Specially was this the case
with Bessie's style of prettness. Con
sciouSness of her success doubled her
charms. Every day Barry, like Sparkler,
put on n new set Of letters. and even Fid's
admiration was genuine. All, those were
halcyon days for Bessie! What did not
Fid know? And with what easy coolness
he treated every body about him, and took
whatever he wanted He had finer hand
kcrchcfs. and wore more gloves, and had
n prettieS locket than she herself, and he
was never ruflled or at loss. He had no
weakness, and made no mistakes and how
handsome he was! Bessie often wondered
why he loved her He had never said
that he loved her. but then it was evident.
He scarcely lett her, he would hold her
hand under her shawl, he had one of her
little gloves rs treasure. OF course he
loved her, and she-she never asked her
self point. blank how it was with her, her
silly little heart futtcred so only at the
notion.
For Barry's pertinacious attentions, 1
suspect they added to the piquancy ofthe
entertainment. | have never had a taste
of absolute power myself. Before my
marriage my mother and sisters managed
me quietly. Since then Mrs. LumpSin
has ruled me with rod of iron but
Judge that the handling of it is pleasant.
Bessie seemed TO find it so. The people
at Cape Of Rocks looked on in indigna-
ton while she flouted and rebutfed the
best men there; but she never troubled
her small head about them, and Barry
persisted on the strength OF some theory
about the final success of 4 determined
will.
The Jete of that season was given by
Madame Ignace. Barry was always
madame's favorite and first lieutenant,
and he had first notice Of her intentions,
that he might have chance OF Offering
TO drive Bessie there in his wagon. The
trap was nicely set. for wagon5 were not
TO be hired at Cape Rock, and Bessie
could not plead prior engagement, Tor
it was arranged that Barry should carry
her invitation. She must ride with
him or lose the best affair of the season.
Barry was sure OF her.
But man proposes and woman disposes
Bessie thanked Barry for his trouble, and
said she should not go at all. 1t was too
much trouble to get up dress, and she
really thought it would be pleasant to
spend day in quiet and alone.
Barry went away completely crest
fallen, and met madame, to whom he
made his report.
The little tool" sputtered madame.
"Let her stay at home; and do you stay
too. Fid will not. | know him! He
would not lose the fete for dozen faces
like hers
Baray looked at madame with admiring
astonishment.
al should never have thought of that, !"
he said admiringly, and quite charmed
with this clever device. He was ready
to look on madame rs his guardian angel.
Who would not prefer quiet tete-a'tete
to a boiling, dusty, noisy, absurd tete
champetre7 And he lent his horses to the
Absinthes, and,as we all drove away, our
las, look backward showed us Barry be-
nignly smoking on the piazza, and way
ing us adieu.
Almost every body knew why he re-
mained at home Fancy then, II you
please, the faces about US when u dash
in team whirled into madame's grounds; {;
and over Fids whiskers, as he helped her
out, we caught sigh. of Bessie's wicked