Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-01-20

4
and cutting manner of speaking rs to be
without words TO reply. could only
look at her, but she understood my look
suppose, for the next moment she said
in very different tone; Il beg your
pardon, sincerely, Mr.. Denvcrs, you
have right 10 your thoughts, and IL
was | who forced you to explain them.
Only"-and she gave forced smile
"take my advice. don't waste your time
in studying my face the romances you
might read there would not be good fol
much in any sense. And now forgive
me :" And she reached out her hand tC
me. took it and held il a moment
while our eyes met. What she read in
mine | don't know, bnt W atever il was,
it did not appear 10 please her, for she
drew her hand away quickly with slight
frovn. Still, as said, after this, though
she did not admit me 10 any more real
intimacy, her manner was less formal
and more friendly.
Meantime, while was. rs hoped,
making progress in her good graces,
events were working to bring 10 the sur
face the latent feud between her and Mr
Webster That amiabe gentleman had
taken to deyoting himself somewhat
dcmonstratively to Miss Rosa Morrell, tC
The manifest discontinue OF NJ Eugene
Dcblay. but not of Miss Rosa herself
who, ike most school. girls, was an
arrant little airi, and had not the slight
est objection 10 any number ol strings to
her bow. So she did not check Webster:
rather pronounced fluctuations on the
occasion el her sixteenth birthday. but
replied with look at once shy and saucy
and quite enough to turn any head mol
,nrned already, as she went off laughing
to school. Miss Knowles looked alter
her with kind OF wistlul tenderness.
sixteen to. day said she. What
must il seem likc Ia be sixteen, won
der!9
Zone would think. to hear you. there
were hundred years between YOU sail
l laughing.
Il am twenty two" she said gravely
"Only six years, then :"
"Only six years :" she cchoed-"oniy
six ages That child is just beginning
life. and -"
"Aud you-P" repeated, as she
paused, lost in thought, apparently.
I-must he going to my scholars.
she rejoined. with quick look. hall.
suspicious, half mi,chevous, ut me, rs
she start ed up.
"Tiresome little animals, As Mr.
Thorne rightly called them" said !,
rising too. A. we entered the hall the
street door was just closing on Webster
"WiIl that be = match. do you think ?
| asked. the sight OF him reminding nae
of the subject.
Good heavens" !" exclaimed Mis-:
Knowles, stopping short and gazing
anxiously in my face-"Rosa-Miss
Morrell and Mr.. Webster do you mean
Do YOU see any real reason Tor asking
such question:
"Only human nature in general and
il YOU will excuse my saying 50 OF your
little fliend-Mss Morrel's nature in
particular. don't think if were ii
Webster's place. should despair"
Rosa is thoughtless, but cannot be-
Iicve-She did not finish her sentence
but with knit brows walked of. declin
ing. as she invariably did. my company
on the way.
That same evening, rs | was smoking
n, nv window, | heard Miss Knowles
voice from the next room, Miss MorrelFs
She had apparently just approached the
window. which must have been open, Tor
heard every word distinctly.
mo. Rosa, certainly do not like him.
| distrust his iacc. il is cruel and coward
ly. If the choice were really between
the two, | should say thousand time;
sooner Mr.. Deblay than Mr.. Webster, ioI
at least" But when it came 10 names
thought it time to make some sign oi
existence. gave slight cough; the
window was instantly closed, and
heard no more.
II appeared, that had not been the
only uninvited listener 10 this fragment
ary scene. The next minute Webster
came out of the farthest corner of the
balcony, where he had been sitting, toe
deep in shadow TO be perceived until he
moved. His face. as it came into the
light. wore an expression thtt certainl
iustified Miss Knowles opinion.
$50 that's her little game" be mutter
ell. "But II l don't manage 10 Sel ul'
odd trick of her, by" and with al
oath he brought down his hand on Tho
railing as he disappeared.
l he STATED at first if ought not TO pu
Miss Knowles on her guard. 10y informing
her of wha. had passed. But fol
ashamed to disquiet her, no DOUBT need
lessly. by repeating that vague sort o
buster, and as for the next few days
Webster seemed quicter than usual,
ended by myself forgetting his words.
But somewhat more than week later
his manner suddenly changed. II wal
one morning that he had friend will
him, whom he had brought home the
81 iranlF Fac Thi