Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-04-30

not give her TO make her happy. lie
could never say such thing. as he fancied
Stephen Halliburton must be able to say
to any woman. But he loved her so O
heaven, he loved her so How could he
endure that anything should come be.
tween them.
Il wont wrong her and tease her with
suspicious he said to himself in the
depth OF the night. 'l'll just fight my
way The best can against it. I'll keep
on steady perhaps she'll see it right by
and by"
Poor fellow he did not realize how
his own determination implied the dreary
thought that her heart was turned from
him. lie raised himself on his arm to
look at her rs she slept and all through
what followed he retained the expression
OF her pure, calm face, n. il pressed the
pillow, whitcned by the moonlight that
slinted the frost on the window panes.
and flooded. the room.
She seemed 10 him colder after this
and he kept silent He knew that she
met Halliburton Mt her aunl's; he knew
that when she went TO the seaside the
ensuing summer, for II weeks visit Ia
Mrs. Paul Appleton, there he was also.
He knew that she seemed TO be living a
life apait from him and once-that was
when the iron had entered his soul-when
he went TO her little desk-a present he
had made during their sngagcment-for
II sheet ot paper, and found il locked,
and asked her careIcssly enough for the
key, she flushed and said she would get
the paper Tor him.
But he kept the promise he made him
self lie kept on, fighting his WAY
against IL as 1eSl he could" hoping. with
II sick heart, that he Knight see it right
by-and by
The months wore away. The second
year OF their marriage was nearly com
plcled. John had been very careful-as
careful as George herself-that there
should he no outward or visible sign OF
misunderstanding or GOODNESS between
them. No suspicion had come to any
that the second year OF their married life
had been less happy than The first. Nor
had he ever omitted to give her any in
diligence within his power.
lie had prepared Il surprise Tor her up
on the coming anniversary OF their
wedding day,a present Of twelve guincss,
his savings during the year.
Tho anniversary tell upon Sunday aud
so their little commemorative OF the day
must come on HE preceding evening
No alusion had been made TO any cele
bration 10y either of them, but John felt
sure some way. that she could not lei
the day pass without some sign For his
own part, he had hall resolved to attempt
some explanation OF their arrangement.
ANY thing, he thought, would be better
thHn this chilling reserve. With his mind
divided between anticipation of reliei
and Jealous dread, he went To the count.
ing Il, use that Saturday night to receive
his money. The cashier looked up, with
u certain embarrassment al his approach
"Ah. Mr.. Randall, the accumulation
YOU have left in my hands ? To be sure
And. by the way. Mr. Halliburton spoke
To me 10 mention to you that there were
to be some changes made. and-and-
tut there lie is himself, sir"
John Randall turned, with feeling
akin 20 desperation, to meet his employ.
cr. 1t had gene through him like a
thun,lerbolt, rs the cashier spoke, that he
was to be displaced. Stephen Halliburton
simply said, rs John faced him, IN not
detain you now. Mr. Randall shal
call this evening 10 let YOU know OF the
change feel obliged to make"
Aud the owner bowed and left him.
With the money in his nerveless hands
John Randall walked hon eward like {
man dazed -IIo was TO lose his place
For what reason he found it impossible
10 conjecture But TO lose it was to lose
reputation, ourage,-everything. He
had never imagined such possibility u:
that. The money that he carried-ho
should not dare to make 4 present OF il
now.
He might have to wait for other en-
ployment. 1t might be needed for theil
bare, every day needs, before he 90
work again. A chill like death struck tC
his soul
George evidently had not overlooked
the recurrence OF their wedding day -
The cosy rooms of the little cottage al
wore an air OF festivity. Some slender
vases held the gleanings of the noweI
beds-thrysanthemums, blood-red, white
and purplc-ycrbehas and scarlet gera
NUNS.
She came to the door that night Il
meet him, one Of her company" dressc'
on, some knots of velvet fastening hel
collar, and seeming 10 give n CHOW an'
brightness TO her white skin. He tool
her hand-she raised her face and with {
wild heart bound he kissed her, rs he hat
not for year before. She was coming
back to him Her nfatuation-it such i
had bsen-was at an end. Sho was hi
own once more And then, close upol
this new happiness. came the dreary rec
objection of his lost situation. He thrus
the money in his pocket. By-and-by h