Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-06-09

I
and she threw herself into big cas-
chair, moistening the poor little died II
ivy with her tears.
By and by the tempest was past, an
Maggie laced her troubo-like brave cir
and tried 10 think what it was best 10 do
and crushing back The pleadings of he
own heart she decided that rs Clinton ha,
wilfully deceived her, by pretending I,
keep promises which she had 50 earnestl,
striycn to make of the first consequence,
TO him. She could no longer trust him
therefore the engagement had best b,
broken.
To thiuk-with hcr-was 10 act. AnC
rising she opened once moro the writing
desk, thinking, rs she did so, Il viii
collect and safely pack everything, ant
writing note to explain my feelings
send them to Clinton this evening; i
will save us both the pain Of persona
Observation-Disclosures he will be glad tC
escape it. Oh Clintonl Clintonl You
have seemed so true, can it be possible
that | am one more added 10 the thousand,
of deceived? cannot bring myself 10
believe it. though it must be true"
The work WAS doue, and Maggie seated
herself at her writing. desk TO pen the
proposed note, when for the first time the
thought OF her penkuilc crossed her mind,
and taking it from her pocket she said,
This tool will send everything. moth
ing shall remain to remind me-and per
haps can forget by aud by" As she
laid il with the rest the silver plate came
uppermost. aud The mystic letters "W
f. d r." looked out nj her reproachlully.
She started rs if struck, and taking the
little knife once more sand sadly
"Poor lill,e molto-I have forgotten
you too long, and thought should read
you daily and profit by your teachings )
but have been ncgIeclIul. and | guess
this is my punishment"
fur a long Time she sat in deep thought,
The result vi which was very different
note from the one she had designed TO
pen hen she sat down. She was re-
minded by tue motto OF The prOphesy
which her mother had uttered ut the lime
the knilc was given her, Gnd ol The resolve
which she had then made in regard TO tn
matter. Had sho been faithful 10 her
resolt ton? Ii she had in the past, she
felt that She was not being faithful now
in time OF Trial, and instead OF The hasty
and unjust act which she had con.
she turned to her desk AID
wrote iu,l account OF what had happened
asking Clinton 10 come TO her THAT even
ing and explain the report which had
reached her or prove it to be false.
At the hour appointed Clinton entered
.hc library, where Maggie sat alone.
Mrs. Fulsom and a dashing young sister
who had been visiting her Tor the first
lime since her marriage had gone to the
oTcra, Mr.. FGlsom accompanying them.
Dut Maggie had declined to go. and Mrs.
+. and her sister Mildred. expecting 10
meet Clinton Parker there, rs had Doen
Dla med, did not urge her.
Knowing the contents Of Maggic's note,
we cannot wonder that he felt no desire
o attend the opera. but FASTENED 10 her
side instead.
As he entered she rose to meet him,
.nd taking both her little hands in his, he
.aiJ, Look at me. Magsie-look me
straight in the eye. and then tell me ii !
ook di.sipatol! You could not have be-
ievcd that base ialschood Tor moment.
Oncc ! should not have wondered that you
credited it, for was too weak minded to
-eluse the offered cup; but you know
whose pure and helpful words have
assisted me 10 grow more strong and
maryland to-day am strong tenn.
oerancc man. and YOU have done more
.owards making ME so than any other
person living"
Oh, how everything whirlcd, and how
hings kept bobbing up and down before
Door Maggio's eyes. She wanted to laugh
md she wanted 10 cry, and she did not
lnow what 10 do with herself, but as
hero was some one close by "broad oil
and strong Of arm" who seemed
o understand the course OF action proper
o pursue, it will not be necessary for US
O Hngcr to prescribe any.
Reader, do you understand bow the
story which came so near wrccking Mag
,ie's happiness arose, or shall tell you ?
Mrs. Fulsome was not only weak.
minded but sometimes bad minded
whom her sister proposed
hat they break up the engagement be-
ween Maggie and Clinton, and leave Tor
.lildrcd an opportunity 10 win the golden
,rize-shc did not hesitate 10 act the part
her, trusting TO Maggie'S i'm
,etuosity to effect the desired end. We
ave seen how nearly she succeeded, aud
.ad it not been for the magic letters,
which reminded Maggie that she had
esclycd TO faithfully Watch, Fight and
ray whenever any trouble threatened
. separate her from her lover, there
you'd have been sad end for our story
Iad it not been ivr her mothers super.
tition, she probably never would have
lscribed the motto Which she did upon
he little knife handle. and it could not