Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-10-21

OF my harl life, and that could DO some
thing better. obtained Tor me situation
as teacher in ajuvenile school-a stu.
alton | proved competent to fill. fortu'
nately. 1t was n small charge; but it
was independence and luxury TO me. /
she'd tears Of heartfelt thankfulness in the
little chamber allotted to me at my new
quarters. The plainly-furnishcd room,
with its simple carpet, its whites bed, its
one window, was heaven to me. The
boarding school fare was daily ieasting ;
| had Jared so differently in the years
past. Nightly | took the lessons for the
next day. and went carefully over them,
TO be sure that should not myself fail in
them. Istrove in every way to fulfill the
duties of my position, Tor was in deadly
fear of losing it. knew that the school
mistress referred entirely to the clergy
man who came TO hear the Bible class.
and who was somewhat stern and ex-
acting man Of middle age. He watched
me narrowly. felt myself on trial.
trembled, lest should not satisfy him,
and lose my position in consequence. To
think Of going back 20 my garret and
starvation after this state of comfort and
comparative ease, made my very heart
sink with terror.
One day the clergyman asked me to
come to the parsonage after lessons were
over-he wished to speak with me. The
summons made me turn cold all over.
was nearly untitled for the performance
Of my duties the rest OF the day. in my
fear. As knocked at the study door"
ofthe parsonage, my heart was in my
throat.
"Are you i'll, Mrs. Loraine?" Mr..
Borden said. as he led mo kindly to
seat, startled, no doubt, by my evident
agitation,
"Ifyou would ask Miss Williams to try
me little longer, sir -" ! began.
lie pressed my hand gently.
"Will YOU be kind enough to look at
?" he said. in a strange voice.
| lifted my eyes. Itwas grave. plain
lace | saw. the hair not unstreakcd with
gray, the dark eyes troubled somewhat.
Il amnot young man, he said. 'and
YOU are, rs it We're, in the bloom Of
womanhood know such language
from me must be great surprise TO you.
| will give you plenty of time to consider.
sent tor you, my dear lady, to ask you
TO be my wife"
II the walls had suddenly gaped and
shown me paradise, | should not have
been more surprised. Mr.. Borden smiled
family at my look Of CONSERVATION. rs he
courteously conducted me to the door
again.
"Will you think orit-say a week, my
dear ?" he asked.
WAS in the hall, the door Of the study
closed behind US. | could hardly believe
! had not been dreaming. could not
sleep TINT night for thinking of this, to
me, extraordinary proposition. watch
ID Mr.. Borden during the week, as much
rs dared, for fear of meeting his grave,
kindly eyes fastened on myself At tho
expiration OF the time had his answer
ready said Yes.
was glad enough to say it. dare
say should have said it, in my poverty
and loneliness, my extremity if he had
been even disagreeablc to me. Women
are not difficult to tempt in that way. But
my heart was sincerely touched. The
circumstances, the uneXpcctedncss oflhe
offer, our mutual positions-to be told
once more that | was beautiful-io feel
that !, iriendless and torlogn creature,
was beloved assure you | did not
hate Mr.. Borden when | said yes" and
when he drew me to him and kissed me
with almost solemn leryer, my heart
thrilled as ii had never done before
We were married. | learned to love
him. TO look upon him as the embodiment
ci all that was good and noble.
We were very happy. We had been
married about three months. when my
husb;nd proposed that we should togeth-
or visit my old home-my parents. The
proposition should have come from me
but it did not | agreed. however,
humbly enough. We wrote to tell them
We were coming, and without waiting
for a reply, followed the letter imme-
diatcly.
1t was at the last station but one that
the most terrible shock of my life met
me. When the train stopped, gentle
man issued from the next carriage to ours
and passed slowly along the platform,
without looking toward us. sat like
petrifaction, for it was the face of Arthur
Lorraine | had seen-changed and aged,
of course, but his face. lie was not dead
thCn.
My husband touched me. What is it,
Ellen? Are you i'll ?" he asked tenderly
! shrank close to him, | cung to him
convulsively. 1--WE shall be homo soon,"
| said. "Wait till wo ale home | will
tell you then"
And startled rs he was he humored me.
l drew my veil closely over my face, and
sat clinging to him and struggling with
my terror and pain. Was | to lose him,
after all my love. my own husband ?