Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-10-08
Stlttt Story,
A MIDDlE-AGED LOVE STORY,

= They had cemc. a little group OF friend.
" faces, TO watch ne of. with vsring
handkerchisfs and kind good-bys; and |
stood on the stern nodding and waving
and waving back. Till the steamer swept
down the river out Of their sight.
knew l should have their prayers
that the sea might be gentle with me- |
knew they would watch the ~e~ther.and
look for the telegram Of tte arrival OF
our ship; yet knew was taking
nothing from their lives, and that they
each would 60 home hardly missing the.
50 it Was with no great wrench OF heart
that saw the pilo, put off from us; and
took the last look at my native shores.
Daring most of the passage was just
comfortably seasick, so sat sll the day
long in reclining chair on deck, watch
ing the white caps OH the purple and
green and blue waves that mounted and
tel down and up and up and down,
away out TO the far horizon. saw the
shining nautiuscs floating 10y, and now
and then whals, or a shosl OF porpoises.
or sail. speeding white and lull scross
the wafer.
saw also good many things nsar
by; Tor ! didn't put my eyes in my pocket
along with my short sighted glasses and
nobody was much likely to mind a middle
aged woman in hood and waterproof.
The first thing / saw was young girl
with dark eyes and brown hair that
rippled itself into tangls OF rough
curls whenever she took off her net. She
was not so very pretty, nor 30 very
brilliant; but there WAS piqusnt charm
about her that attracted half the passen-
gers before the first day was over. By
the end OF the second day. from the cap.
tain 10 the ships surgeon, and from the
surgeon to the cabin boy, every one was
eager u show her attention; and every
body was met by the same genial smile
and lively retort.
She won her wsI at once into my heart
by the kindly thought that led her TO
bring little relishes from the table to
tempt my siekly appetite, and TO soothe
my forehead with bay water and gentle
touches of her shapely brown hands,
where great emerald gli,tered, ,encircled
by diamonds. Very soon she got into a
habit of drawing her rug beside my
chair, and sitting on the deck leaning
against me, SO that might pet her" rs
she said.
This was how it happened that my
quiet cat oi-the-way corner came TO be
the centre OF the lie and gsyety aud ro-
nance OF the whole shipboard.
1t seemed this young girl, Rosa Ar
mour, MAS an only child and an orphan,
going to All uncle in Germany. her near
est of kin.
Dear heart hope her uncle will bs
wise az well as loving" said TO myself
vsry often; Tor she seemed too fragile q
bubble OF humanity to drilt on through
life alone,
The tips of her brown curls were
lighter tnan the rest and here and there
were little bright touches al over hei
hair, as though the sun was shining in
spots on it. One morning | sat coiipg
These CLEANS of sunshine around my
fingers, and watching tioek OF Mother
Csreys chickens skim restlessly over the
restless water, thinking these thoagbi'
about Rosa, and having hef SON presence
alone ~ myself Tor II few moments. No1
many, however; soon, up came New
Zeaauder, OF al Australian, OIL our boat
You are very i3wly, Miss Armour,
said he. Let me bring YOU a chair. "
Thank you; prefer to sit here on my
rug, and have Miss Wells pet me-" re-
piled Rosa, turning up her eyes languid'
ly. The deck Is my iavorite seat, II
can only have All excuse to sit on it.
But you need something over you"