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

This is rather cold element for
pledge Offering, Miss Knowles, | said.
but at least il is pure one. Suppose
We drink 10 neighborhoOd and friend
ship"
had succeeded She did look at ma
again. her eyes resting on my face with
an indescribable expression.
You are a bold man. Mr.. Denvers," y"
she said finally, "to offer that pledge 10
an utter stranger. Why. might be any
caing! a thief or murderer. for what
you know"
"Oh. pray allow me more skill in phys
iognomy." said |. thinking the while how
oddly her words chimed in with those of
Webster minute ago.
You believe in physiognomy ?" So do
l." she said quickly; then, as it repeut'
Ing of even that slight impulsivcness.
she resumed in the old tone, "still. sup
pose after all were to turn out a des-
peraie chAracter-what would You say
then?"
II should say. with one Of our New
York Judges. that there must have been
alternating circumstances, | replied,
laughing.
She smiled, aud reached out her hand
to her glass Very well. To neighbor-
hood and friendship then. since YOU
choose to run the risk !"
This little dialogue had been carried on
thus far under cover of rather noisy
discussion opposite, but here some one
spoke TO Miss Kaowles. and | was
obliged to content myself with observing
her. did not find il tiresome occupa'
ton. She was very handsome woman
for, though unmarried and evidently
young. no one would have thought OF
calling Miss Knowles girl, there
was mu2h more than beauty in her lace,
there Was = meaning IN every line, a
meaning which suggested that hers had
been no ordinary or easy life. But
though a set face, it Was not a hard one,
and attracted in spite OF itself
Miss kno wles. think il is too un-
kindi" said the person who had interrupt
ed us. one of the pretliest little school
girls ever saw. leaning forward from
our side of the table. You haven't
spoken a word to me yet | do believe
yon have forgotten we're engaged"
"By Jove Mss Knowles is to be
euyied!7 1t was Webster who said this,
and the marked way in which he said it
made the speech rude one. Deb.ay
perhaps thought 50, tor he said instantly.
"Oh. mon Dicu yes. Mees NoaiiIes
aud Mees NorrelI are to be cnvicd and
blamed alike, both the Two! 1t is cruel
OF your sex to monopolize itself against
as miserabies. you hear, Msdemoi'elle
Morreu :"
Il Que had Gancied Miss Knowcs' face
hard, he would have changed his mind in
watching the smile with which she an
swered the laughing young girl, smile
on; OF which the ice had melted aud lelt
pure sunlight.
No, I've not forgotten, Rosa she
said; but you know OF old never kiss
and tell"
1, was peculiarly Of this woman's,-
rs had occasion later repeatedly 10
observe-that, whatever she said or did,
she could not help being remarkable, so
much her personality made itself iell IN
everything. She made that quotation
from common little song just as any
body might have done, carelessly, and
manileslly without a thought OF effect,
yet 10 not believe there was man at
the table who heard it from her lips
quite unmoved. Even Webster lifted his
/ ewes to her with kind OF sullen admira
ton, Il tribute which he was as unwilling
to give as she to receive, but which was
forced from him against his will.
Ny pledge OF friendship. l am con.
strained 10 admit. did not advance me as
could have wished with Miss Knowles.
A certain degree of progress she allowed
me to make. but never one step beyond.
Oddly enough, it was kind of disagree.
mcnt which served me most. and which
came about in this way. One evening |
had been reading to her, and had just
closed the book rs twilight came on,
when my attention was attracted by a
newly married pair in the balcony oppo
site, who. regar dless of the double row
of houses, were iudulging in some Of
those demonstrations peculiar to the
honeymoon. 1t would only have amused
me, as usual, but for the effect it had on
Miss Knowles. shall never forget her
look nor her tone-the mixture of pity,
contempt. and something that was almost
like envy, as she said under her breath
"She thinks it will last poor little tool ~
Involunlarily quotation from the vol
ume we had.been reading together came
to my lips: IL too. have been in Arcadia :"
| should hardly have known that had
spoken aloud. but Tor the way in which
she turned OH me.
What suggested that TO youP" she
said, imperiously. Tell me, l insist =
The expression OF your face just
now,H / answered, smiling. There
was a whole romance in it,"
Indeed ~ she rejoined, with a delib
,rith hnr