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

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glow of The kiln with wonderful effect.
That fierce furnace glow reminds one
of Schilcr's ballad of Fridolin; does it
not, Miss Frank 2? said my companion
presently. My reply was mol to the point.
Mr.. Ransomc,' bolted out with un
gracious bluntness, Il told you IN un.
trnth the other day. There was no poor
relative connected with your accident but
myself. Ii was who ran out and fright
encd your holse, and threw you off, and
neatly killed you
There ! it was done now; no taking the
words back again | sat looking off at
! the moOnlit waters OF the lakelct with
my heart beating fast and heavily. 81.
lencc continued, Till at last | looked up
Mt my companion, wishing he would
make some kind Of an answer, be il
what it might lie was looking full ut
me. and smiling too, but the light in his
eyes looked kindness not scorn.
DO son think that did not know that
before p no said quietly then.
You knew all this time that was Il -?'
Stop, he interposed, don't call my
friends names if you please. did not
! feel sure nj first that il was you, though
you soon fitted into the likeness of the
instantaneous photograph my brain took
of YOU rs fell 1t did not need this
lie touched lightly the scarf wound round
my head-'to complete the likeness, tho
il is the exact frame my picture was set
in, little bright curls at the edge and all.
Why'-he hesitated and broke into a
brighter smile; why you creature of fire
and air. who else could it be p
felt hall choked with conflicting emo
tions. The more he pnt aside the consid-
Grafton OF that fllschood, the meaner it
looked TO me by the very knowledge of
its uselessnoSs.
i told that precious lie Tor nothing
then, multerod bitterly.
Miss Frank, don't be morbid said Mr..
RanSome. looking at me attentvcly.-
DO not charge your candid soul with
lie. because OF a hastily uttered, quickly
repented word How often in these few
days have seen this confession spring 10
your lips, your face spoke for you so
plainly! And see now,' he continued.
smiling again. tina: it is bitter enough TO
YOU 10 eXpatc greater fault than that.
Now forget it,
Wills jolly call sounded just then sum-
moning US, and we gathered round the
kiln fire which glowed warm and ruddy
through the increasing chill OF the aua
tumnal evening. felt that confession
and ahscluton had proved what our Penn
sylvania friend called the water.cure n
powerful potential remedial agency
Never. since Ewes time, wero apples so
ncctarus rs those we roasted that night
never did sweet potatoes and sugar corn
compose so Paradiscal picnic feast
We talked and icsled ill Wills laugh
startled the echoes, and Robert Ransome's
eyes sparklcd with such bright gaycty rs
| had never seen in them yet. And when
it grew late, and turned my steps home
ward under his guidance and silence fell
between us rs we paced slowly through
alternate moonlight and shadow, never
had life seemed so sweet n dream and
yet so tangible II reality.
Robert Ransomc was to leave soon.-
That thought loomed before, growing
larger and darker with every one of the
short days succeeding this, and was the
only shadow on their brightness. 1t em-
bittered The pleasanlncss OF the last
evening OF all, when we sat talking to
gcther in such free comfort as family
! knit together in love often feel, but which
n strangers presence ID so apt to mar
! 1t pressed upon me so that when house
hold affairs did not call me thence did
not return again to rest, but sat down on
the broad, low step on tile western side
Of the house, looking ont on crimson
sunset. lts glory faded away into twi.
! light tins and still sat there when Rob.
ert Ransome came sauntering around the
house with book in his hand, and sat
down on the step, too, quietly remarking
that it was growing too dark to read.
Il was interested too, he went on pres.
emily, in the place happened to open
upon in this book just now Bruce's Tray.
els you see. There is an account here Of
a savage tribe. in which 4 gallant recon-.
mends himself TO his chosen one, by Iy.
ing in wait for her with club, with
which he fells her and carries her off.
happy but senseless to her future home.
rather like that plan. Knocking down
and dragging in was the luckiest thing
that ever happened to ME, know. If
there were only chances OF the same
kind Of result nowr
lie leaned forward, and shot laugh
ing, kindling glance into my eyes
Mr.. Ransome.' cried reproachfully
and | covered my face, hurt that he should
thus taunt me with the old painful sub
ject, that had never been alluded to since
our conversation by the lake. And now,
in this last evening loo
Frank, Frank = he murmured close to
my ear, in voice all changed from his
gay tones, will you keep what you have
won? I love you, Frank. Speak to me,
dearest
Sneak 10 him inlInnl oh | dill not