Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-04-22


secutive seasons the haryests had been
extremely light in this section, scarcely
paying Tor the outla!ing OF money and
labor, to say nothing of profit. Then the
expense of living was considerable. ior
zen persons require no small amount ci
food, to make no mention Ui garments
that will wax old Added 10 this was u
long and severe illness. lasting all WinIcr
aud unnin.' him behind 10 Such'an extent
that hc saw no other way to 90 on with
his work than to hire money. This it
was next TO impossible to do, and alter
some some pretty severe struggles wiih
his pr de. he 50 tar ovcrcame it n tn write
90 Julian Richardson. 4 second cousin,
living in New Orleans, aud repuicd very
wealthy lie had never seen him. but
had heard :hat he was unmarried and
>amcMhai eccentric. And SO in this
straight hc rcuturcd to appeal to him. 80
llc wrote the first letter in February. bat
it was unanswered. Alter waiting in Il
state ol nervous anxiety and suspense two
or three weeks, he wrote again. This
time his letter was soon ,otarnUd, after
being opened. but without line or word
in answer. He struggled along month
ur two more, and then went to see Amos
Wilson, with the final result l have here
lulorc described.
The days slipped away like golden
sands. and the summer grew in Leauty
and brightness to Della Lindsay. The
sunshine fell into her heart is softly rs 1t
tapped the green. bloSsomy hills. The
daily drudgery OF toll became suddenly
lghIcntd and Illuminated by this same
golden glow, and the world grew dear,
and life looked only sweet and beauli.
I lul dream.
Into this supreme atmosphere one day
f larger than mans hand. for weeks. She
F had not discovered it, and was therefore,
totally unprepared FOR the darkness that
came upon her. She had returned from
"a long rambe over the prairie. her hands
loaded with blossoms, and stood by Inc
door describing their names to Paul
Leicester. whose grave lace was soItencd
INTO a rare. tender smile, whenever the
pretty brown eyes. and Wild rose checks
were uiicd 10 his face.
Della, my dear wan, You - mo
mcu,. hcr father said, coming out into
the entry.
Without word She followed him in,
the blossoms still in her hands, and ,omo
OF them dropping to the floor as she
walked.
Come in this way, my child" Mr..
Lindsay said, pa ing before her, aud
opening The door into The parlor, where
sharply outlined against the sunset Ky
stood Amos Wilson, his back to the WIN
dow, and his great ungaiuly form show
iug in bold relief against the light.
Somehow the feeling OF depression
which had 50 weighed her down on The
day the homestead was morIgagcd, camo
upon her again, and she felt the color
leaving her face. aud felt her face grow
white and rigid.
Nj. Lindsay closed the door carefully
and came forward 10 his daughters side.
Della, he said, struggling to appear
calm, Mr.. Wilson has done nae The
honor to ask permission to pay his court
10 my daughter | have told him that
my girl is free 10 answer for herself
what sha Il it be. Della?n
Della cast one quick glance into her
fathers face, and saw all its eager hope
and anxiety. Then she TUNED to Amos
Wilson, who had taken u stop forward
and was looking at her sharply from un-
der hi, low brows, his pale eyes burning
/ with faint opainc tin!s. lnvolunlarily
she shuddered and drew back.
IL do not love Mr.. Wilson, father"
she said family.
But you can learn to love him, pellaH'
he asked quickly, his lips twiIching
Eervously.
"No. father, cannot" she answered,
this time firmly, al thank Mr.. Wilson
Tor the honor he has done me. but 1 do
not love him, and you do not ask me to
marry man do not love, father?"
"No, my child, do not ask that" he
said gently, but with chord al sadness
and disappointment in his voice.
Poor Della how suddenly the cloud
had descended and enyeloped her. With
heavy heart she crept softly out and left
the two men together. She knew what
her refusal had meant 10 her father. She
knew The load which chaied and frctted
him so might have been lifted with q
simple movement of her lips, and yet she
had not given it-she could not give it
Dropping her blossoms rs she went, she
hurried out to little arbor OF wild vines
in The garden, and there, alone with the
pitying twilight and the stars. she sobhed
oul the first bitterness of her regret and |
pain She heard Mr.. Wilson come |
out and 90 away. and then, little after,
heard step in the garden-a step that
sent the blood in fierce, sudden torrent |
to her heart, and then To her checks.
You are not repenting so soon, ,DellaP"
op1 ponl | nicasler oamn and took the |