Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-11-10

WnSH lpue HVHit w N'h' NV WV" "
the cool, pine scented mir on my forehead
was grateful; the fever in my blood was
cooled as | swept on but there was a
sickening tall of the pulse within, which
was new TO me.
The first sigh. that greeted my eyes, as
swung the gate, was Janet flying
towards me. Evidently she had not
slept. Her face was pale, her yesterday :
evening dress was not laid OF, anl dark
shadows underlined hcI heavy eyes.
"What up so soon? P" cried with
affected gaycty. as luug myself to The
ground--"and waiting Tor a ride ? Jump
up, now, and YOU shall have ono cauier
before put B,ss in tho stable. She's
dead tired out with her nights work"
But Janct's only answer was to throw
her arms abou, my neck with burst Of
+ tears.
80, Ted what (righiy have given
US; wha, night have spent. l feared
an accident We have had mon securing
the hills, but they could lind no uace OF
You. Thank God you are sale At home. -"
led her into The house. soothing her
rs we'll aS could. Alter a few moments
Of convulsivc weeping, she grew caImcr,
and wiped her eyes with peni;cut kisses.
She lett me. smiling. and was congr,.
ulaling myself on having escaped so
easily, when door opened, and grand
father stood before me on the landing. 49,
One glance at his shaking white aud stern
face assured me that the worst was yet To
come. suppose must have looked like
a guilty culprit, with my wine.hushcd
face, my wind-tossed hair and disordered
clothes.
"Wc!l, sr" He spoke briefly. AMI
then stood silent, waiting an explanation.
i am sorry to have caused YOU any
uueasincss," began, trying TO curb The
irIilated temper, which vas born Of my
exhausted nerves. IL met sOmo village
friends. and joined them at q supper in
town. 1 quite forgo! the flight OF time;
it must have flown on silken wings
"Iudced." Ny grandmlhet's tone was
hard as steel, and quite az cold and cut.
ting.
II repeat, that am sorry to have
caused you any uneasiness, went on,
struggling hard with my iuriously rising
blood but, pardon me, think it would
have been quite rs well, II you had slept
the night away as usual. This anxiety
regarding me. which YOU and Janet die.
play, seems wholly uncalled for"
I'VE will leave Janet's name out OF this
discussion, II you please The old man
spoke with quiet dignity; but my temper
flashed like lightning.
I'VE will leave it out now, and forever
after If YOU like :" flung back, my pru
dence all cast 10 the four winds.
Tho words must have struck him hard
and heavy. but he made no sign-no,
then.
"Will you tell mo who were your COM
panions in last nights orgies 2'-some
suspicion which had not wit enough to
guess at promplinglhis inquiry.
Il should be glad 10 tel. you,' Ireplied
with an imper,nent affection of coxcom
bry. "but, unfortunately one woman who
was present filed my mind to the exclu'
sion Of all others. can describe her, If
you wish, for she was more beautiful
than an houri seen IN dream OF Para
disc"
a woman-a woman!" he controlled
his shaking limbs, and raised bis head,
with one OF his old. sharp glances flash
ing out from his keen, gray eyes. "What
is her name ?"
Miss Haui:on-lliss RJsalind Ilari
son" simpcred. You know the fam.
ily. grandlalher-ihe Harrisons Of the
South"
Janet Janet" My grandfather sud
denly raised his voice, calling loudly. !
stood stupefed with astonishment In
another moment Janet was by my side,
fuucring with anxious solicitude. He
took her hand in his. and, turning her to
the cruel light, studied inteilly the fair
young face which not even nights
slecplcss watching could make less than
freshly lovely. Janet, my Janet, do
YOU love this man, this Theodore Burr?
Is your true heart bound up in him, ny
girl Alas. alas. he added, rs blushing
and sobbing 20, grandpa ~ she hid her
pure young face in his bosom. lie held
it there, and kissed the bright brown
curls in u passion of fierce tendelness.-
Then he turned TO me-:
Il forgive YOU this once, for the sake
of my si,l, who, God pity her, loves you.
But, mind you, only this once; lor not
even YOU shall play fast and loose with
my darlirg. When once her name is
dropped betw cen Us, master Ted, it is
dropped forever. know the Hanisons;
they are had clear through. Old and
Young are alike trcachelous and deceillul.
Who plays with them plays losing
game. Let me warn you in time"
He shook iearlully, as if with ague. !
offered to support him, fearing that he
might fall, but he repu.sed me aud led
Janet away. could hear him multer.
ing to her Poor girl, my Janet !" and OF
the "bad Burr blood" that spoiled me.