Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-05-14
Stlett Storp.
4 LEAP YEAR T4 l. T..
ny s. ANNIE FROST.
II am SO sorry. Earnest"

Earnest MeIanio turned ms lacc away
for Iuomen, from the sweet pleading
one looking into it. IL was no shame To
his manhood that large tcals gathered
for an instant in his eyes, aS the gentle
voice spoke The words that told him the
strongest hope OF his life was crushed,
broken and vain.
The room was silent after Elsie spoke,
and "a strong heart wre,tled dumhly with
its great agony; a tender one sought lol
words OF comfort. When Elsie spoke
again, her eyes were moist, aud q tremor
was in her low voice.
Believe me, Earnest, never droam.
ed oi this. For so many years, ever
since ! Was littlc girl. Jon have been
50 like brother, that | have given YOU
sisters lore. and did not think y"s
wished for any other. Earnest, she c"n
,iuued. pi,eously. "tell mr you dn not
think have trifled with you, or willing
| J., wounded The noblest, truest hear, in
( The world
Darling" said Earnest hoase II
know YOU have not. 1t WAS nn nNn
Lliudnc,,, ut own great I've dbl d'
cci, cd me- Tell me. Elsie, |. th'lc e"
hope lur me in the future, Nhrn 'u may
c,uar Ia regard mo Us i brother, and may
learn To love me ~ lovu ,on
SLOWLY. like knrl. came the answer I
II am the promised wife al Godfrey
Chase"
The room roeled before Earncst's eyes {;
then. by great effort he strait sh!ened
hin.cli and controlled himself To speak
"Iie is worthy, Elsie, even oT your
love. May God grant YOU every happi.
ness" And as he spoke, he soiIIy l"ucl'
ed the golden hair ol El-ie'S heng head
with his lips and lett her,
She went 10 her own room. ,.r,i,,,
>""'! IL was 'o'" pain 10 n,r Ia know
'h'' Latest lored her. Thure was nu
th"aght al girlish triumph over new
conquest, Tor Elsie had not one spark ot
coquetry in her nature. No pain of hcl
happy life had been So great as this sym
psthy and regret for Earnest.
She had been but a little child when
her uncle had taken Earnest into his
household, to study medicine with him,
tn become in time rs dear To the old man
as a son. He was not entirely dependent
upon his profession. having small in
come inherited from his father. but he
studied with the enthusiasm OF man
whose calling is a second nature; and .as
the old doctor gradually sought moro and
more for The rest earned 10y we'll spent
lie, the younger one stepped into his
place, and was accepted by his patients.
To Elsie. uncle Rogers house had been
second home since she was toddling
child. Situated nearly four miles from
| her inthei's residence, the distance had
been considered too great in her child
hood Tor two walks in one day, SO that Il
visit to her unele's was usually OF two oi
three days duration. She was the dar
lag OF the whole household. from hel
old bachelor uncle and his stately house
keeper down To- the small Office boy. who
considered her little angel, only want
ing wings. Earnest's arrival gave the
new damsel II new admirer, In the strong
rough lad. whose ringing voice woke the
echoes OF the quiet old house, as her sill
very laugh and low sweet tones had nev
er done.
1t was pleasant TO see now The young
natures controlled each other in THEN
frank. pleasant intercourse. 1t was Ear.
nest who conquered Elsie's timidity and
made her fearless horsowoman. who
awakened her from her dreamy reveries
To realities OF lie, turned her tender sym.
pathies TO practical charities. and led hen
up to higher. nobler aims in lie than hel
shrinking gentleheSs would have evel
sought alono. 1t was Elsie who taught
Earnest TO soften his rough, rather un
couth manners, who persuaded him that
refined courtesy was no want of manli
ness. and gentleness implied no weak ness
IL was not In his nature TO become effemi
nate or soft, nor in hers 10 seek mascu-
line pursuits or manners, but one became
more gentle and refined. whilst the other
grew stronger and more self reliant in
their personal intercourse.
But while Earnest was allowing his
whole heart TO become bound up in FL.
sic. giving her the entire devotion OF his
life, making her returning love the re-
ward for every eXerlion. every act for
seli.saerilicc, dreaming oi his future only
us lifetime OF loving care for her, Elsie
regarded him only AS dear brother. and
kept her heart entirely untouched ill
Godfrey Chase came to claim il. He
was bat visitor at the village where
Elsie had spent her happy life. but in his
brief summer sojourn he wen The heart
for whose love Earnest would have given
lie itself, and in the winter came TO
carry his lair bride to his city home.
There VAS TO voice 10 say nay to his
suit. His position, his means, his charac-
ter, were oil such as loving parents
wish tor The guardianship OF "a dear child /;
and even Earnest, in his own bitter grief.
had no added pang OF apprehension for
the future happiness of his darling,
Letters came frequently nom the city
| home, where the golden haired country