Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-02-27

fair, aud her complexion OF that soft pale
tint, with slight undertone OF browa in
il, which is mt once fair and warm, and
which can kindIe IN moments OF excite.
ment into brilliance far oulshining any
brunette skin. She talked rapidly with
much gesture. She was giving John an
account of the stupidity of the people
with whom she had been dining. Her
! Initiative faculty amounted almost to
genius No smallest peculiarily OF man
ner or speech ever escaped her. and she
could become dozen different persons
in a minute. John laughed as he listen
ed. but not so heartily rs he was wont to
laugh at her humorous sayings. lio had
been too deeply stirred IN the long inter.
val OF solitude before she returned. His
checks were flushed and his voice un-
steady. She soon felt the effect of his
manner. and her gsyeiy died away; be-
fore long they were sitting In silence,
each looking at the fire. snew | ought
to make the proposition to go home, but
seemed under u spell. | was conscious
OF morbid desire to watch and wait
AT length Mrs Long rose, saying:
"If it will not disturb SalIy's reading
| will play for YOU lovely little thing
learned Yesterday"
"Oh no, said |, "but we must 50 as
soon a, finish this chapter"
Sne passed Into the music room and
looked back Tor John o follow her; but
he threw himself at full length ON thu
sofa, and said:
"No. | will listen here"
My quickcncd instinct saw that he
dared not 90; also that he had laid his
cheek in an abandonment Of ecstasy on
the arm OF the sofa IN which her hand
had been resting Even in that moment
had a sharp pang OF pity Tor him, aud
the same old misgiving of question,
whether my good and swee, and almost
taultless Ellen could be loved in just the
same way in which Emma Long would
be!
As soon as she had finished the noe.
turnc,--a sad, low sweet strain. she came
bacl, to the parlor Not even tor the
pleasure of giving John the delight oi
] a., -, H. .tar
she could not see his face.
But had already put down my book
and WAS ready to GO. Our good.night-
were short and more formal than usual.
All three were conscious of an underlined
copslraint in the air. Mrs. Long glanced
up uneasily in Johns face as we left the
room. Her eyes were unulterably ten
er and chidlikc when look OF grieved
perplexity shadowed them Again my
heart nched for her and Tor him. This
was no idle caprice. no mere entangle-
mcnt OF senses between two uncmploye ed
and uuprinciped hearts. 1t was subtle
harmony, organic, spiritual, intellectual
between two susceptible and intense ma
lures. The bond was as natural and in.
evitable as any other fact OF nature. And
in this very Tact lay the terrible danger
We walked home in silence. a few
steps from our house we met DR.. Will,
walking very rapidly. He did not recog
nize us at first When he did, he hal
stopped rs ii about TO speak, then sud-
denly changed his mind, and merely bow.
ing. passed on. A bright light was burn
ing in Ellen's room.
"Why, Ellen has not gone to bed =
exclaimed John
Perhaps some one called" said |,
guftily.
"Oh. dare say" replied he; perhaps
the doctor has been there. Iiut il l. hat
past twelve, he added, pulling out hi
watch as we entered the hall He could
not have slaid until this time"
went 10 my own room Immediately
In a few moments heard John come up,
say u few words to Ellen, and then e
down stairs, calling back, as he LETT heI
room:
Don't keep awake tor me, wife,
have huge batch Of letters to answer
shall not get through before three
o'clock
crept noiselessly to Ellcn's room. 1t
was dark. She had extiuguished the gas
"a soon rs she had heard US enter the
house knew by the first sotnd Of her
voice that she had been weeping violent
" and long, | said:
ELLEN. must come in and have a
talk with you"
Not to night, dear. To morrow
will talk over everything. All is settled
Goodnight. DON'T urge me tonight
Sally. can't bear any more"
It's strange-itis is marvellous what pow
ey there is in words to mean more than
words. | knew as soon as Ellen had
said, Not 10 night. dear" that she dl'
vined all that wanted to say, that she
knew all knew, and the final moment,
the crisis had come. Whatever she
might have to tell me in the morning,
should not be surprised. | did not sleep
Ali night tossed wearily, trying to con
lecture what Ellen would do, trying tc
imagine what should do in her place.
At breakfast Ellen seemed batter thar
she had seemed for weeks. Her eye;
were bright and her checks pink; bu
there was an ineffable, almost solemn
tenderness in her manner to John, which