Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-06-11


OF hot ham and eggs, which, with bis.
cults like snow flakes, made q very in.
viting repast.
BY the time the meal was well over
the driver returned, with his wheel mend
ed, and they took the road again. Har-
vey, who had paid his entertainer liberal.
ly for his own dinner, noticed the pale
young woman approach and offer to do
the same.
THAT is all settled" said the hostess,
and motioned with her hand toward Miss
Tucker.
Harvey felt mortified that he should
not have thought to do that kindness him.
self. He overheard the poor woman's
murmur OF thanks TO her new friend and
the light laugh with which they were
turned aside. He had come to like the
sound OF that laugh quite rs well as the
driver. He was not sorry when, on re.
suming their places, he found Miss Tuck.
er seated beside himself. He could no
longer beal to be only the recipient Of
kindness, and he exerted himself To show
TO his companion all those small cour-
tesies OF the road which occasion allow.
ed, He talked very little. however.
though he talked his very best; and his
grave. respectful demeanor offered no
index oi the acw feeling, as new as it
was delightful, which really thrilled
through all the pulses of his being. II
WAS not merely respect for the fine quail
tiles he had discovered in her, nor wholly
his kindling admiration for her rich and
glowing beauty, but an emotion COM
mingled OF and far transcending both
II delicate and subtle pleasure in the
presence OF large and gracious woman
hood which his whole mans nature ac.
knowledged and bowed down to-
The rest of thsir journey was accom-
plished without accident, though not
without delays, and it WAS quite dark be-
fore, weary and mud-bsspattered, they
reached the town where they were 10
part and 90 their separate ways. They
had left the stage, and Miss Tucker stood
in the piazza OF the public-house giving
some directions about her luggage, when
Middleton approached and, taking of his
hat, addressed her.
pardon me-" he said, '.if use too
great freedom You do not know me,
but l nave seen too many proofs of your
goodness to-day not to feel that l know
you. sec that you have kindly taken
under your protection the poor woman
and her child who rode with us, and am
anxious to share with you the pleasure of
assisting her. Here is small sum of
money which you will oblge me by
spending for her use, and a card with my
address Ii ut any time can be Of fur
ther service to her, you will do me a
I'tfOl D1 IclliusS hic huOW
The young woman took the card and
the crisp bank.note that accompanied it,.
and expressed her thanks with dash of
embarrassment and timidity which she
had rot before shown. but which Harvey
thought became her wonderfully.
There is one more favor" he added
with little hesitation, (which | would
like to ask of you Would you object 10
give me your address,"
Not at ALL" she answered, frankly ;
he thanked her gravely, bowed again as
he might have done to duchess, and
walked away. The next day he was at
his office in Boston, and she at her busy.
responsible post in q great Lowell mill.
For just one week Middleton turled
things over in his mind. The result was
a resolution and letter. The last was
addressed to Miss Olympia Tucker, and
contained distinct and straightforward
proposal of marriage. He recalled him.
self modestly 10 the lady's recollection,
referring to the journey they had taken
together, and declared that the impress
sion which she had that day made upon
him was such that he ardently wished TO
journey through life in her company. He
told her who and what he was, his family,
business, and fortune; enclosed the ad-
dress Of several persons through whom
she might, if she wished, satisfy herself
in regard TO his character and standing ;
and concluded with an earnest request
sthat she would permit him to visit her.
The letter. Notwithstanding its abrupt
and rather business-like character, was
gentlemanly and respectful and one which
almost any lady might feel flattered to
receive.
When it was sent he waited in a verita,
bic fever for the reply. A week, almost
another, elapsed before it came. lie
tore it open; his suit was rejected!
The koenness OF his disappointment
almost surprised himself. He had hardly
been aware how deeply his feelings and
his fancy were interested in this woman,
whom he had known but for one day,
and who had begun by offending his So
cial fastidiousness almost to the point oi
disgust. He took up the letter and read
itagain. 1t was written somewhat stifily,
as if it had cost its author a good deal oi
trouble, and now and then word might
moi be spelt quite correctly; but it was a
modest, womanly letter, dignified from
its very simplicity. She thanked him
| e. a., .1f