Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-07-29
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by shadow falling athwart the open
doorway. Glancing up she saw the stall
wart figure of Mark Wilton entering the
kitchen. carrying his gun in his hand.
and bending his head as she had seen
him bend it many time under the old.
fashioned entrance. The scarlet blood
flew hot to Nellie's cheek.
You frightened me with that gun.
Mark, - she said. in excuse for the tide
which would not be stayed, although the
small, plump hands. busy among the tea
cups, never faltered in their work.
There's no need to be irighted." he
said. "it's not loaded; though for all
that shouldn't have brought it here. but |
carry It about me for company like. be.
cause it's the only company I've got no W ."
There was u world OF reproach in his
voice. world of pathos in the simple
sentence, 10 which he added no word.
but ground his gun upon the floor, and
clasping his strong brown hands over the
muzzle. stood looking into the girls face
silently.
Mother and Jessie are gone a.milk'
ing,r Nellie said. forcing herself to cay
something. and looking down at tescup
she held in her fingers, rather than into
the eyes fixed on her across the brown
hands clasped upon the gun.
Il Just came to have word with you.
Nellie" Wilton said. not noticing her rc-
mari; about her mother and Jessie.
And il you don't mind listening to me
u minute, I'd like to say it here"
She made no answer. and Mark. lifting
his large hands away from the muzzls
of the gun, laid it in the corner Of the
kitchen.
There was not much romance about
Mark Wilton, nor any show of fsontimenti
yet what he had TO say to Nellie be wish
ed to say there, in the crimson glow OF
the fre.light, where ho had told her Of
his love nearly year agone. "Where
it begun, let it end" he said to himself.
Then he crossed The kitchen. and stand
ing before Nellie on the hearth. he spoke:
They be talking down in the VILLAGE
about your marrying VIII DrayLon. and
just came up to hear the truth Of il,
Nellie, from your own lips"
But with scarlet cheek, and dropping
eyes Nellie stood still, without answer
ing him.
"Slence is the same as words some
times" Mark proceeded after moment;
land all have to say now, Nell, my
lass, is, that if you are going to marry
Will Drayton, and want the promise you
made me back, I'm here to give it to you"
There's no hurry about it, Marx"
Nellie said nervously. "and-and-rd
rather you'd speak to mother"
Your mother has never come between
US two yet. and she won't now with
quiet decision "But Nell. ms girl, if
so be you want your promise, take it to-
night, for maybe when the time comes
when you do want it, mightnt be here
to give it."
Nellie felt startled, although she made
no sign. but stood with her head dropped,
and her eyes wandering from the scatter
ed tea.things on the table to the fitting
CLEANS OF the fire.
You see thought there was no use
staying in these parts any longer" he
went on II got TO dislike the place
when stopped coming up here. so
gave my lord notice a month agone. aud
as brother of mine has farm in Glou.
cestershire, and mean to turn farmer
too, thought might as we'll shift for
good, end I'm going down there to-mor-
row. to see IL can lind farm near his"
You've been SO far away from US this
month back. Gloucestershire won't be
much farther" Nellie answered, with =
GOODNESS which struck Mark soroly, but
he only said 81 thought If you wanted
me any nearer, you'd have sent for me,
Nelie.n
1.-The man who goe, away OF himself
is not worth sending for" Nellie retort.
ed, taking, with woman's ready tact.
the part OF the injured and deserted.
Nellie, its not fair 10 say words like
them, when you know l went because
didn't want to stand in the way of man
you liked better nor you liked me. And
| thought to myself, il it's only girls
fancy and pride she has out of him, as
Jessie says il is, why she'll tell me to
como back; but never had a word, nor
a look, so made up my mind to go clear
away; and as you were only a child,
Nell. when you gave me your word first.
thought I'd ask you before I went, if
you'd wish it back again.
But tho half stillcd passion. or the
deep pathos OF Wilton's words, struck
no answering chord in Nellie. She was
waxing angry now, angry with herself.
while she thought she was angry with
Mark.
You say right when you tell me
was child year agone, when | said
would be your wife," she cried, light
flashing into her usually mellow eyes;
.but I'm woman to night. and I'll take
my promise back"
"Nell, my lass, don't lei our last words
be words of anger,"h he said. I'm not
like to see you any more after to- o'night,
for I'D never wish to look upon your face