Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-10-01

ed him 10 jump fence, and you know
rour father has the rheumatism. so 1t
wasn't TO be wondered ut when he made
the attempt he fsll.'
"Bsntsred my father to jump fence!n
| exclaimed in smszsment. "What on
earth could my father have been think
ing about, ut his timo Of life :"
"You mustn't think it strange" replied
Forbes. They are all in jolly stale ct
the house. sir. can't remember for the
last twenty years when there's been
90 much life there ~ now. You ought
Ia hear hiss. Graces laugh ringing
through the halls II does our hearts
good. LOT il seems ~ il old Times were
come back again"
Our land skirts the roadside Tor nearly
thrse quarters OF mile. and al the tar.
ther extremity oil cattle field there was
= large pond. which ia winter afforded
excellent skating Al the present time
i. Was frozen.
As We neared the spot. Forbes remark.
cd, There's Mr. Stephen now on tho
pond with Miss Grace"
raised my head and looked in the
direction IS lac spoke. They had not
observed Us, though we were quite near.
Stephen Hawks WAS pushing her across
the gIossy surface on u sled. could
distinctly hear heir voices.
just then she ,traightensd herself in
her scat, and n long purple plume waved
ouL In Tho sharp breeze. The lrozen
surface on which they were sporting was
no, colder than my blood that moment.
Are you i'll, Mr. Charles' ?" exclaimed
Forbes, checking his horse and gazing
Al me with an alarmed stare.
stop stop!" cried, an jump out
here nnd speak 10 them. "Go on. III
iol"n Gu foot
Jumpiny out OF The carriage ! sprang
oyer the ience. Ny blood was all fire
now. Could IL lie possible that my pur-
pie feather girl OF New York and Grace
Branilcy were identical There was n
certain poise OF the head that made me
think so.
Asl approached the pond the dry
twigs cracked under my feet. and they
turned their heads.
WAY, it,. Charley ~ heard Stephen
Hawks eXclsim.
Grace stared a, me curiously Tor Il
nnm,Al as run towards her.
TRACE. Grace !" cried. "is il really
yourself; md all these long months |
have been seeking you ?"
Her surprise was equal to my own.
II never should have recognized you.
Charley" she said chow changed you
are II certainly was not strange that
Ne did not knew each other whom we
met on Broadway Charley, is it really
yourscli?" she continued laughing
Yes Grace, its my self; but ve will
nsrrr make such blunder again" | re-
marked. ~ drew her arm within my
own
Then | rccolisctsd | had not spoken 10
Stephen 'IAwks.
''liow are you Stephen ," said, ex-
tending my hand.
lie took the tips oGmy fingers, merely,
ying lie was we'll. Pm not going TO
tho house Just- yet he continued, III
come along allsr you by and by"
That was abou, The only thing ever
had occasion 10 thank Stephen Hawks
for
Before We reached home had told
Grace my story OF hunting II feather.
She laughed msrriy at my adventures.
but kept turning her face away TO con
ccaI her confusion, for my manner was
very ardent.
There cried, snaiching kiss from
her hand.
And there" she retorted, giving me
box on The ear; "you are the most im-
pudent fellow ever behcld.n
don't think that MIR. Brantley or my
father doubted my admiration for little
Grace. My days were one delirium Of
delight my nights were rs my days.
began 10 think this happiness could not
be real. must bc more calm or | would
60 crazy for Joy.
Looking back to that period can re-
member no time when it cost me so much
pain 10 allow n lew days to elapse before
declaring my passion to Grace Brantley.
Nothing but The tear of u refusal prevent
ed my prematurely telling her the story
of my love. At q later moment, when
Lid so, my heart stood still TO catch her
reply. don't think pulse throbbed in
my name. aE d The cold sweat started from
my brow. Had she refused me | know
should have died there at her feet. -
have been married ten years, ami l
love little Grace rs wildly to-day as | did
when she pluckod the purple feather
from her hat. and placing it in my hand
said, take it and its owner too"
Sir Walter Scott. in his days OF law