Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-08-06

never To seem singular, and yet totally
unlike the giidy throng in every true
respect"
This golden mean is too visionary
for practical lille, ! fancy" added Ger
lrudo with 4 nervous laugh.
Mary looked up tenderly as she re
piled, "By no means. dcas Gertrude. 1t
does not require any very close scrutiny
to sec what are the general outlines oi
fashion, The general effect 10 be sought;
and then anybody with little ingenuity
aud taste, can fill up the details and
array themselves with nestness and sim
plici,y, in manner becoming those who
have minds 10 cultivate and souls 10
save"
You NIGH, do ii, Mary, but | never
could
Any way" she went on, 1--WE are not
tu devote all our amb ton, all our Time
and energies, 10 this perishing clay; We
arc HUt 10 nOlu OH CHtCh hll tiiNb IN puicst
and best in our natures while VIC flstier
and pamper our baser and more sordid
passions; it i. positively wicked. and
since ii is right that we pay suitable ut
ten,ion To dress, rs we'll as TO manners,
VIC may elevate the care and labor Which
this nccessitates into worship; and thus
the influence will be ennobling, expand
ing OR minds Instead of dwariing them.
But we must take care that we hold these
things always secondary, always subor-
diuaic To Gods higher claims upon our
time and talents"
Thcle WAS II very earnest expression in
Gerlrudo'S blue eyes Is she said, 1t Is
really very invi.orating To listen 10 such
ideas, 10 find anybody SO conscientious
anil seli-reliant. There goes Mabel Gln-
ham, and lm dying 10 see her. Excuse
mr-'I come another day to finish out
this talk," and she vanished rs suddenly
rs she had entered, leaving Mary TO smile
u little sadly, over her singular death
Mary Stanley folded away her work
and went out 20 enjoy the setting day in
communing with the beautiful. thanking
the Creator tor the sympathy He had
given her with all the works OF His
hands.
Days went by; the blue silk finished
and worn greatly 10 The admiration NJ
her hiondS, aud 50 well did it become her
that nobody thought Ia notice whether II
was finished in the yciy latc,t style.
Thus her life slided smoothly on, one
week alter another, while she responded
to it's demands cheeriully, took up its
burdens and its crosses patiently, CLEAN
ing from the days an abundance of
peace and satisfaction. And il some
times her companions thought her odd or
queer, she had always II reason ready Tor
every opinion, for Mary Stanley found
time to think of all these things.
The long bright. midsummer days
came at length, and people nocked to the
quiet village in pursuit oi the rest and
comfort which they could not lind in
their city homes. Men, old and Young,
malrons, maidcns. and little children too,
the rich and the gay, were making Linn
Vile Ms lively rs the hot season would
admit Scheming mammas opened their
keen eyes wide, and young ladies plumed
themselves on the new interest that WIS
being impaired to their lives.
Twill Waters is great CATCH" Ger
trude Banks remarked to her friend Ma
bel Graham in confidential tone one
day, wonder il anybody in Lnnvillc
will be shrewd enough 10 capture him.
What think, Nary" raising her voice
and turning toward that young lady who,
forgetting their presence. WAS intent up
on poem she had just found, "Arn't
you going to cast your hook into the sea,
for once?"
"1yhen can find no better business
I'll think of it," and she laughed little
silvery laugh, though there Was halt in
dignant quaver running through the
words.
A few mornings later rs she was sitting
on the front veranda, Gertrude Banks
came rushing up like small whrwimd.
"Of course you've had an invitation to
Minnie Buri's sociable on Friday even
ing" after IL hurried salutation, land OF
course you'll go' guess it will be quite
q brilliant affair, though given out in such
a quics way. She assured me that VIII
Waters would be there. and that elegant
cousin OF his that came TO town last
week, besides their rich bachelor uncle.
and don't know who else. What shall
you wearP l am going directly to Madam
Copt'S to make her hurry up on my silk
tissue; must have it done, and guess
l shall have some extra trimmings, too;'
and away she flew on her important
errand.
Friday evening came mild and radiant,
and a pleasant company gathered in The
parlors of the Burt mansion. Minnie,
fair and graceful, dressed with her usual
exquisite taste, was queen OF the evening
There WAS dashing Ada Pratt and sweet
Lille May, naughty Maud FELTON,. with
her piercing black eyes and impcrious
manners, gay Rosa Chase and pretty
Mamie Lowe. Mabel Graham was
there loo. rcsplendent in iewelry and
loooc o,,d Co,,,,,to pnnl, Z, hor nov,