Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-12-30

rs she looked al him. David, after father
and mother died, and had fretted away
my soul caring for them and trudging
about with Be;sie's babies, | grew weary
apd sick oh, very weary and sick and
there came to me an inexpressible desire
TO own myself. felt sort of miserable
pity for my self, just rs | would have felt
pity for any other poor slave with slavery
in prospect for life. | lonsed To keep
myself pure and high. | shuddercd at
the thought of my degradation as de-
pendent drudge in other peple's house
holds"
And did you not want 10 marry Da'
vid did not know what imp prompted the
words which burned his lips as they drop.
ped from them. He mended them praise
worthily hy adding. Jasper Hendricks,
for instance"
But Hannah answered calmly: mo,
David, that would not have helped me.
So took the dear. little shop and waited
-"
For what ?" said David bluntly.
Hannah blushe'l. STOPPING low over her
tea cup.
For customers" she said. rs she came
clustering in on one OF his innumerablc
chores.
That night David Dunham could not
sleep IIannah's face, her pleasant voice
hcr sunny little shop haunted him. Such
8. woman would be like sunrise in mans
ilc. But Hannah did not want TO marry
she hugged her independence or she
MAS wailing-wailing is she had said. Tor
somebody. Somehow. David did not find
his WAY to the little shop where Hannah
dwell in maidenly serenity quite rs soon
A. he had anticipated lie fingered about
; the village; took Miss Simmons out ior
a drive pow aud then; and one Sunday
he responded to Mrs. Johnson's pious
interest in him by taking a seat IN her
pew. Il Was - hot, sunshiny day, and all
the windows OF the meeting hnrse were
opcn. the zig trees, waving close 10 the
r hieh, old fashioned windows. The sNal-
lows twiuering. the breeze wandering IN
from the near clover field, just as in old
times when Dave sat in Sunday rig. doz
ing in the gallery.
, Looking about. he saw Hannah sealed
in the choir, in pretty pink lined bonnet /;
her eyes were n,ent on her note book,
She did not return his glance At that
moment there WAS u turning OF heads, a
rustic in the ai,lcS, and Miss Simmons
= came sweeping up the centre IN her How
inS silks
A magnificent woman David thought,
-, he opened the paw door lor her. a
+ tall woman is queenly, whereas Hannah
, always WAS lilllc thing. lie glanced up
towards the rose lined bonnet in the
choir "l'lI speak to her after meeting.
/ he said.
But alter meeting David WAS the centre
ol general hand. shaking; and rs they
walNed oul oi The meeting house. aud up
the leaiy street, Miss simmons lustrous
e raimenl swept close beside him, and
I Hannah. walking on the opposite side
did not look 1T The two, not even when
thcy met lace to face on the crossing.
He spent the evening at the Squires
Mrs. johnson. having done her pious
= duty .or the day, reclined upon SOFA
\ Miss Simmons was very entertaining
, Miss Simmons was very agreeable; some
. how il grew to be eleven o'clock.-a lalt
=. hour in the country and still the visitor
e fingered.
- The two drew near the curtaincd win
| dow. Miss simmons peIlumed haiE
, swept very near her companions cheek
i Ii IA. nearing midnight, The hour ol
/ spells. 4 strange light giowed in Miss
| Simmons eye, the red rose on her bosom
z shone splcndidy. 1t was an aIniin2
. vision Tor plain Iumberman; luxury
OF rest stole oven him. he felt himself
.. being drawn nearer and nearer this haven
a OF silks, and laccs. and perfume.
y There is Il strange illumination in the
4 sky. isn't there 2" said the lady, pointing
outward with her jewelled finger.
q You are illumlncd." said David, stu
p dly.
. She laughed coquettishy. Not quite
, 50 ruddily. trust. See"
True enough A sinister bloc IL. a rose
y ale lever hue rested redly in the heavens
, solemn and portentous. Evidently there
must be u fire.
c I'm 90 down to the gate, said David
rousing himself, and see where ii is"
d How absorbed hc had been! At thai
O moment The village bells rang out wlIt
II peal; he could hear the tramp ol fee
). along the road; a NUMBERING engine iron
4 Il ncishboring town came creaklns ruslily
+ up the street The whole place WAS astir
4 Where is the lire?" he asked of mar
Il running by.
: Dunno. Reckon you'll find out Is
soon rs do. lleern il was the littl'
II millner's shop"
David WAS hatless; he forgot that
David was leaving pleasant company ii
+ a very abrupt fashion; he forgot that. =
Fires are very exciting things. He iorgo
all about Miss Simmons. She was safe
whereas