Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-05-13

J ulClcu u plc1l lnobSh iva hS'' """ ~ ~N
wooers were not lacking. Before she
was eighteen she had reIuSen two oi her
brothers cadet classmates; bl the time
she was twenty, the ii>l ol her rejected
suitors was increased by clergyman, n
doctor, aud two merchants. In true New
England fashion, hcr father and mother
had looked on quietly ut this procession
of aspirants for the post ui their son in
law. neither interfering with the wooing
as il went Gu. nor with the summary re-
lection OF each sutton iu his Jurn. There
was time enough lnr Flea or in settle hy
and by. was their un>pnkcu thought. and
surely they were in no ha>lc To lose her
bright presence from her childh"od's
home. At twenty three Eleanor vas
-lil unmarried. but that year brought II
greai change into her life. Her father
and mother died within three months oi
each other and at the same time She lost
parents and home.
The Judge had lived generously though
not extravasanlly. His income had
ne,ay bUcn large, and the EDUCATION and
establishment ot hlS sons had absorbed
the greater part Of his economics. -
Whrn the estate wa, settled and divided
bct~ cen the children cleaners poriln
w.,, q mere pillancr The change WAS
bitter to her !lcl nrothcrS who were
both married. offered hur "a tninr ~ lEcit
flmiie>, but although she liked her sitter
VERY well, she who had been used Ia The
independence "l an only daughter in her
ln,Errs house, could not without an IN
tcinal struggle take the place "i super
numerary in her sisters household
10 ask her father Tor the money sha
had eeded for hor expenses had seemed
easy aud natural Ia, Ia AK j, ol hcr
brothers va. simply inIolerahlc They
were both struggling To achieve inde-
peudrncc. but a, Vet neither ot them
WAS lch, and each had quite as much as
h. could we'll do 10 support his own
family. without aIy additional burden
Not one word ol this sort VAS spoken.
She was treated with the greatest kind.
ness by both hci brothers and their
wives. aud she did her part toward lessen
!ns lhe burden %! her Pccuniary support
by het dijiseut and Skilllul needle. She
>cwcd lor the children she made dresses
Tor her sisters. which fitted Them tx.
quisi,cly; she made hat, rs dainty and
F tasteful as ever entered the fancy. ur left
The hands of French millincr; she tend.
ed tho hiUios. whom she idolized, she
took her part in the ligh! household
duties. in which the ladies' of every New
/ England family d, not scDrn l. busy
/ themselves, yet she lelt. rather than
I knew. that her stay in her brothers
+ homes Was considered by them rs merely
temporary one. They naturally eX-
+ pec,,d her 10 marry and have u home OF
+ her own. Al intervals, eligible suitors
hAd prosecuted thcIS elves, but had been
refused lace in turu She had tried to
. .ikc-she WAS really anxious 10 love some
%, ihcm She read and understood the
pleased smile ol hope that frightened
her sisters faces at each fresh appearance
o. u sulor, and their blank aud disap-
I pointed air at the disappearance OF the
rejected lovc. 1t stunZ her pride that
they should be So ready to get rid ol her,
and more than once she had resolved TO
accept one OF her wooerS. but at the very
moment OF his declaration OF love lo her,
she had found herself unable to DO so.
I Ouce ~ twice her sisters reproachcd her
wiki having encouraged the addresses OF
>ur.c gentleman only 10 reject him.
Blu, did mean to marry him" said
poor Eleanor.
Then why didn't you?" asked Mrs.
John Collins
Il really Couldn't don't know why
| hoped | could I'LL the last moment"
"A woman of our age ought to know
, her own mind better than that" rclorted
Mrs. John. severely.
Eleanor was NOW twenty-five years OF
age-'almost an old maid Mrs John
said to Mrs. Edward Collins, when Judge
Carter fell in love Aith her.
This Is the very best chance Eleanor
has ever had yet, said Mrs. John to her
husband. in the quiet Of their own room.
"Spmehow these old girls often do nc.
markabie well"
IL shouldn't think OF calling Eleanor
an old girl, said her brother
That's because you have always lived
with her and don't realize her age. She
is an old girl; shes twenty-five if she's
a day, and I'm sure she's very husky,
There's Judge Garter u man OF the
highest position, of first rate family, just
elected senator. aud very well off, dead
in love with her. But don't belier Q
She has I'm idea ol i, haven't dared To
Joke her even for lear she'd turn the cold
shoulder to him She's the queeresi giti
ever saY in wy lie. wonder il She
will take him7"
Take him, OF course she will" said
brother John. scornlully; THAT is If she
can get him. | only hope you're right
in thinking he wants to marry her"
II only wish l were as sure che Eppla
accep. h,q,, as am sure he will ask her
1. N lii ~. LIN,