Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-06-24
JUNE "a, 1870.

covered her face with her hands, sobbng
convulsively, while tears commenced
coming thick and fast, trickling through
her fingers on to the letter that now lay
in her lap.
/ saw at once that il would never do to
let this thing 60 on. and besides, n lump
in my own throat that grew there in tho
most sudden manner, warned me that it
was quite time to wake up; SO with a
wood od-be-slcopy yawn, and n very decid-
edly sheepish facc-only tha, fortunately
for me Mrs. +. didn't see that sat up in
bed. and as nothing more appropriate for
this unlocked for turn Of affairs suggested
itself to me, l simply said:-.
"Why Mrs Flakcwhi,c!"
She looked up ut me, and smiling
through her tcars-and If did not see n
distinct rainbow shining in front of her
face. it was because my own eyes were
decidedly misty for the moment and she
came around TO my side of the bed, and
putting her arm around my neck, man.
aged to say, between great gasping sobs-
John, deari you are--e1tircly too
good--to mc-that-letter-i is the incest
present. ever had--in all my life-1 do
thank yon hundred times for whatever
is in the box-but that letter has made me
so happy will treasure it so long rs
live" and off she went again -sobbing
rs hard as ever.
We soon gained our composure-for |
must confess that such happy tears were
contagious, and had myself 4 slight at
tack-and while dressed, Mrs. Flake
white fully cqualed my expectations in
her delight at what the box contained.
She put on her best dress to give full
effect 10 her new magnilicencc. everything
fitted exactly. and with q nico shawl she
already had, thrown over her shoulders.
and the new hat poised gracefully on her
head, making an oval frame around her
sweet lace. charmingIy colorcd with
pleasure and excitement. it was now my
time not 10 tire of looking al her, rs put
her through her PAGES up and down the
room, not forgetting glance ut the new
CATERS as they tripped, in end out. when
suddenly shc stopped, and looking me
straight in the eyes, said. John. the
beautiful things cost great deal OF
money, and now am waiting for you to
tell me where it all came from. Tor know
you didn't borrow, and am just Il. sure
you didn't hare it."
1t was merely part of some money
advanced on m order for 4 large picture
like my last one, that you know | sold,"
said |, trying to look indifferent and un-
concerned, and being conscious ut the
same time OF making u wrctchcd failure
OF il.
"Oh, you sly old fellow, to keep such a
splendid secret from mo ever since ycs,or-
day morning. how did you dare go TO
sleep with all that on your mind, and
these collars and handkcrchicfs and new
dresses aud hatg all the while tucked
away in some dark corner. | wouldn't
have believed it OF you
The incidents above related happened
several years ago, and by the kindness OF
my purchaser, through him was enabled
TO obtain other orders from friends and
acquaintanccs, and now-thanks 10 4 kind
pubIic-harc no difficulty in disposng OF
what am able to produce. The greater
part OF Mrs Flakewhitc's laughing
prophecy has become reality, and Mary
Flakewhitc. aged three years, will soon
be old enough TO have shown to her the
letter, which her mother keeps safely laid
away among her greatest treasures; only
n few days ago Mrs. Flakewhitc sent her
running into my studio with '.see, papa,
seo," wearing over her bright curls the
original "brown hat with pearl colorcd
ribbon, last years STYLE" that was SO in
timately connected with my change OF
fortune while she herself stood ut tic door,
looking rs cheerful and if possible, more
charming than she did Oh the cventiul day
when she last wore it, while sho said
smlingly, John dear, do you remember
that hal?n