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

all WIS. AaHutll. Let L must nave
known you before | went away. My
mother has just told me your name, and
| have come TO reclaim acquaintance, if
you will permit me-"
81 remember you perfectly, Mr. Hall
burton" Georgia returned quietly. II
had hardly grown up when YOU lett US
five years ago"
Five years ? All, true enough Won't
you take his chair? What lovely
lily! Why, it is not real?"
"No; these WAX flowers are very like
nature, though almost u p'as ialism; dou't
you think so. Mr. Halliburton ?H
"Why, yes. 1t must be quite difficult
to make them. dare say they bring a
good price"
Under her serene smiIc,a quick thought
went through Georgia Randall's mind.
She began 10 examine the gentleman be.
fore her with interest.
Stephen Halliburton was a gentleman
by habit, and man of the world by
force of circumstances. But nature in
tended him Tor diligcut, painstaking,
man Of business.
! 1t he was noia great or veIy good
man ii was because he had So much time,
so much money, 81 much fla,tery. lie
was spoiled by his opportunities. yet he
needed only the right touch to elevate
him beyond himself lie was thirty
years old now, he was past the age
when man disdIins To be led by Il
woman. But Stephen Halliburton had
never dSdaincd H. lie bad always been
! lei by the keen eyed, beak noSed wn-
man. in the steel silk, who, as George
talked with the heir, sat holding her wine
up 10 the tire. light not far of
The heir seemed to like Mrs. Randal's
talk; perhaps because there was little OF
it. In return he was rather unresorved-
gos>ipins about his place aud his pros.
poets.
lie said that he was glad TO get home.
He meant TO settle down at Milville now
look after his factories and the operatives
Introduce some new improvements. He
wanted a better class OF work, more
tasteful designs He had not seen
pretty print from the factory Didn't
Mrs. Randall agree with him
Yes; she agreed with him 1t was u
strange basis iur ptrlor gossip-.Uils.
chemicals, designs Tor calIcocs lie was
surprised to lind how much she knew
about it and sho--she was n little sur
prised herself. The delicate pink began
to flush her checks, the iriscs of her eyes
grew into great black flakes iull oil lustre.
All nj once, at last, she turned casual
glance without the window.
why" she said, with a slight start,
lit IL almost dark And believe it is
raining. must go at once
She stepped towards the window.
Great spla>hing drops were failing upon
the flag stones. The dull November day
light was almost gone.
Mr.. Halliburton rose also.
Did you waik?' hc inquired. "Lcl
us take YOU home. My mother will be
going soon"
The little stir attracted Mrs. Appleton,
who, most OF her guest having gone, was
devotins herself to Mrs. Halliburton.
Stay to tea, George, she suggested.
John knows YOU arc here--does he not >"
Yes; but it is raining. think had
better not stop"
al have been asking Mrs. Randall to
take a seat with u, mother" nterpo.ed
Stephen Halliburton
"Ah, yes, said that lady. with CON
tractcd nostris and prolonged lip again.
IL shall he happy"
Aud then the keen eyes overlooked
George as if TO ask if there WAS any just
cauec why tho Halliburton carriage, The
Halliburton horses, and. it might he, the
Halliburton heir, should traverse the
length oi MiIlviIlc, to take home this
young person who had married one of
the Halliburton employees.
George stood unmoved. little concern.
ed as to whether her laqt dress anil bonnet
should walk or ride, not at all concerned
rs to her own disposal.
The factory bell had done ringing, and
John Randall was in sight of home just
as the carriage of his employer stopped
at his door. aud his wife stepped from it.
lie did moi, hcwoyer, oyerhear her say TO
stephen Halliburton:
"If you will come in tomorrow after
noon, | will show YOU what mean"
Had you pleasant alternoon?" her
husband asked, bye and bye. as they sat
at the tea. table.
Very pleasant" )" she said thoughttully.
1T was very polite in Mr.. Halliburton
to bring you home"
"1es, | should have spoiled my dress.
1t was always with u little effort that
John Randall got his wife to talk. and
she seemed peculiarly silent tonight, and
absent as well as silent. Her eyes were
brighter, too, than common-her cheeks
n little flushed. He was too generous,
TOO unseiiish man to begrudgc her a
happiness in which he had no part; but
something in her abstraction filled him
with uneasinesS.
This was not decreased, when, reach