Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-05-09

| N'Sti w pN' WV Hhpl'SuCN w wv
here that day. No lie there added
mentally, turning savagely ON conscience
as she gave me disagreeable pluck ;
and went on with cold dignity: We
are exceedingly sorry about the whole
affair Mr.. Ransome. That is. mother
and /, who we're the only ones present,
when onr relative took the sudden whim
of driving away = stray animal she
thought she heard outside If you will
kindly forget it, or at lsast ignore it, it
viii he a real kindness on the poor wo.
mans account
Oh, conscience, conscience why did
you net pluck me harder before said it!
| When he assenled with comlcous gravity,
making light of The whole accident,
which, he said, had only impaired \ few
days of the :tay my father had kindly in
vitcd him to make in Indiana with us,
and submitted to the silence again re-.
commended, | set To work with my GRO.
chelng with burning checks, and heart
lying in my bosom like lump of lcyl.
Now realized that might have owned
up az first at the cost oi trifing molli-
iicaton. hut this lie it would be thous-
and times wore To- confess this. too SO
/ | said nothing. Nothing when father
and viii discussed with our convalescing
patient the merits at Black Ranger (ong
since safely installed in our stable,) and
condoled with him on The vice of skit-
! lishness, which had caused this accident.
a one OF the worst tricks horse can
have; remarks which Mr. RanSome re.
ccivcd impassively, never tempted into
defending his horses character Nothing
! through the days that followed his re-
covcly. when every one discovered in
him ,omc trait of plcasantncss. Of kind.
ness, of keen Intelligence that would
have made this visit OF his time Of
great enjoyment to me rs well rs to the
others. il il had moi been for the thought
of that ugly bit OF deceit lying coiled
like a snake under the flowery pleasant
ness of The time.
Mother taxed me with not seeming
like myself That might well DC, but
! did not tell her why. never saw her
show So sudden friendship for any one
rs for Robert Ransomc; but | did no..
wonder at ii. for his manner, to her was
most ingraialing- son.likc, almost low
er.likc. 1t WAS, no doubt. the memory
of his own dear mother, long lost, that
made his hearI 60 out so 10 our DEAR
sweet house mother; and on her part,
to hear her say Robert was as good as
a legal Instrument OF adoption.
He was rather grave in his manner,
but when anything was said that pleased
him, hi, sober face would sparkle out
with surprising brightness. In the same
way, from his quiet, serious talk, would
flash out some bit OF humor, surprising
one with the suddcnneSs of lis fun.
Laughing did not come so easily as
usual 10 my lips that wcel, but one
cycning-we chanccd 10 be alone just
lhn-hc WAS telling some little incident
of Canala life in which an old Yorkshire
man figured, whose remarks he gave
with such comical imitation OF the old
mans odd dalcc, and Slolid stare, that
was surprised into Il sudden laugh, so
heaty that-my old trick put my face
down in my hands, swayving myself about
rs laughed.
lIr. Ransomc broke of suddenly 20
say, There! that is just the way YOU
were laughing, Miss Frank, when first
opened my eyes on you sitting at my bed
side. Do tell me, now, what you were
laughing about that day. Confess you
were amused by the thrlhought of my lu'
dicrous appearance when ! was SO sud.
denly d5mounted by that mysterious
relative OF yours--lhc one that is not cra-
~, only n little wild and odd"
was sober enough before he got thus
lar, and stood up suddenly plucking up
my courage with - great wrench.
Mr.. Ruusome,' began with Il trem-
bling voice just then in came Will.
Come Robert he called out, wont
ycu come down 10 the lime. kiln with me
1t is my watch till midnight,a and it would
be splendid help to have you with me for
an hour or Two. You come, too, Frank,
he continued, turning to me. You can
roast apples and sweet potatoes for us;
and it will be rs good as picnic
| shook my head, but Mr.. Ransome
persuaded me, Come and take n look.
at it, at least, said he, 'and rs soon rs
YOU are cold or tired | will bring you
back again, YOU know
Yes, come along said Will. Don't
bother about wraps, Tor il is time | was
there now. Here, this will keep you
warm; : and snatching down his red CON-
forter from nail in the closet. he bun
died it around my head and neck, called
ont a word of explanation to mother,
and carried me off between them.
went quite silently, feeling rs if not
word would como Till that bitter bit of
confession should be over.
A little bluff rose near The margin of
the larger of our Two 'muckshaws.' and
in its side father had built our lime-kiln.
1t was fully alight tonight. Bright
flames quivercd and leaped from the
glowing, red. hot blocks of marble that
hcaped it; and as we drew near we heard
the hnnr of the fnrnacc nnnn with q