Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-08-20

gone over that day to attend court.
As our horses ambled slowly along the
winding road, | thought | had never be-
held a loyelier scene. The sun, shroud-
ed in sutumnal mists. shed soitened
radiance, which seemed in exact keeping
with the solemn stiffness of nature. The
scarlet leaves OF autumn flutlered down
in the balmy air, the sky was blue ana
beautiful; and II was strangely happy
But, as the sun declined in the western
sky, I remembered il was probably the
last time she and would pass that way
together-ior | was really going away
at last. In two days time tho house WAS
To be rid OF mc-and she would no longer
he in my covetous sight.
"Mr. Lnvlle, you must accompany
me to tho Hawksnest on Wednesday,. '
she suddenly said, breaking tho silence.
"You know have often promised to
take you TO see it, II commands the
very finest view We have Ia The country
"Ah-I would only be loo happy TO
accompany you, Miss Peytcn. But-on
that day. the day after TO- morrow, ! am
leaving"
nReaHv ~ she exclaimed. And the
beautiful eyes Wers turned on me with
an expression of the most mournin' tn
terest.
Yes. ought Ia have gone some time
since. Blu, have been detained; scarce
ly know. how"
IL am very sorryw she said 1--WE have
had such pleasant time together. You
will return soon. will you not ?"
There WAS faint culver in thu voice,
else fancied il. Her face was turned
awsy.
That depends upon you. Miss Poy-
ton" said. wishing could speak with
less agitation. Upon your answer to
certain question that ! am going to ask
you"
"A question to me ! Lei me hear it.
Yonder comes my unole's carriage
Sure enough, just turning he corner
of the road in the distance, was the open
carriage with its pair OF greys. strange
gentleman sitting in front with my uncle
Charles Sevyer and the groom behind
What | had to say must be said quickly,
We were riding side by side. close to-
gether. Taking her unresisting hand.
told her how I loved her, how 1t had
grown upon me, until my very hopes IN
lifo WAS wrapped up in that short SEN
tencc, which pronounced in an agony
oil hopo and fear.
Julia. will you bs my wife ?"
For moment her hand trombled. and
she did not speak. The words when
they come were low, the voice very
sweet.
Mr.. Henry Linville, have you thought
this matter we'll over-haye you con'ld'
cred il ~ it deserves TO be- =
All in moment her hand was with
drawn from mine with spasmodic jerk,
and passed 10 her left side. She gave
cry, and reeled in her saddle. Springng
from my horse caught her just IS she
WAS falling. The carriage was up with
US, almost Immediately. and stopped.
They all go, ont. except the groom. who
stretched over 10 take the reins.
This is DR.. Galloway. Henry said
my uncle. hastily Introducing the strang-
er-.nd thought struck me that he MAS
striving Tor calmness-he. not The doc
tor. Has Julia faintod.'
Il fear so. cannot think what can
have"
DIR. Galloway pushed me aside. lie
fe, her pulse. placed his hand above the
region OF her heart. gazcd long anu
steadissty into her eyes. |, supporting
her still. felt u dreadful fear, and waited
for the physicians verdict.
Ii came ri last. That horrible, dull.
professional monotone, which struck up.
on my brain like some great weight oil
lead.
She is dead. Dead OF heart disease"
Was Sevyer dying too ? lie gave u
wild scream. and fell TO the ground in'
sensible. | knew his secret then-he
had loved her.
All the rest seems a dream. remem-
Der reaching the house in the carriage
holding her in my arms; remember the
confusion when we got there. Ssvyef
was himself again; Mrs. Linrille sobbed
bitterly; DR.. Galloway told US it was
only what he had looked for. After
that. had long illness; and seem TO
remember nothing clearly until l was
getting better in my own bed at home.
attended by my mother.
am grey-headsd now, and in the
course oil nature cannot have many years
to live but were they TO be doubled,
would willingly give them all to have
an answer TO the one question that rarely
leaves my mind.
Ibid she love me ?n