Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-06-02


loved Mabelle at first sight, and it wa
no wonder that poor Jock took to her, too
She used 10 spend most ali the pleasan
days outdoors with her father, for Mr..
Devcreux, when he didn't choose To gC
out on tho water. would have n groa
chair carried down to the shore. and si
there in the sun, Mabele would ramblC
up and down the beach, or climb about
among the rocks, coming round every
little while TO see if her father wanted
anything. Jock got By degrees TO fol
lowin' her Tor all the world as he used 10
his mother, before she died. Some girls
wouldn't have wanted the great foolish
fellow around, or would have even been
afraid OF him, maybe. but it wasn't so
with Mabele. She used 10 speak TO him
N her quiet, gentle way, and he minded
her voice like little child. II was won
deriul how many things she made him do
for her that nobody else would u thought
of trying to make him understand. |
used To wonder sometimes il he'd had
somebody like her when he vas lille
fellow aud first lost his mind. il he might
not partlY have got i: back again, alter
all.
"Onc afternoon Islariel to go down by
the lish house th-t Tom Porter had lett
thore dryin', and I'd promised him 10 see
to. went toward where Mr.. DcyereuS
was siltin' in his chair, and Mabcllo
standiu' by him. There were three or
lour spruce-loohin' young men talkin'
with them, that had come over That day
IA yacht from Portland, and 4 little
way 5 OF. 10y the side OF rock, hall sitlin'
and half.lyip' in The sun. was JOCK. |
couldn't hear what The young men were
sayin', but | SAW they looked at Jock and
laughed, and in minute one vi them
stepped up 10 him and gave his chin \
pulb saying somcthin' That set them all
of again. | was close by them, and a
sharp word was ON the end OF my tongue,
when something seemed TO stop me. and
| looked at Mabcllc. o. ma'am, I'd nov.
er seen her like that. So tall and 50
terrible. Her whole body lrcmbled, her
eyes flashed, and red spot burned in
her check, and then went out in IN in.
slant und LEFT her face like ashes. She
didn't seem TO walk toward jock she
went rs the wind goes. She put her
hand on his shoulder, and he gazed up
into her face. I'll never forget that sight.
Tho same pitiiul, dazed look that | knew
so well, came over my poor boys face
once more his hand went slowly up to
his forehead. Its cominr he said
'Coming she answered. in q low voice
that rung like bell. Yes, my poor
Yes, thousand times Comm
in Gods ,imcn 'Mabelle. Why, Nh
belle = said Mr.. DcvereuX, but She did
net seem to hear. Turning half ab lut,
she saw me. Go now with Mis-. Dawson,
JOCK . she said in her old voice, and he
came TO me in 4 moment. We walked on,
4 few steps, and looked around, aud
saw the young men standin' still with
heir eyes on the ground. and Mr.. Dew.
.rcux lcAnin' on Mabeilc'S arm, and
waikiki slowly up the hill. Tom Porter
lad Ben Brillon were mastery di5Ap
, Jinlcd that tho Portland chaps went
lome next mornin' instead o stayin' for
. weeks iisbin' rs they'd given out they
would The boys had allowed 10 make
. good bit out of them Tor odd jobs, but
NIabello and kept our o~n counsel.
"Mabelo and her father VIC at home in
and little while after, Mis-.
Deacon Price told me they had gone to
france.
"rhe fall of 1910 was hard one Tor
olks as got their Iiyin' by the sea. One
gale beat close upon another, and more
han ono boat from the Island went 10
pieces. Winter came, ut last. and it was
comfort to haze tho mackerel schooners
III in, aud settle down little. Comfort,
eastwisc to some. more than TO ME, for
lcbcdcc was away somewhere in tho
lorth seas. and many u gustY night
lsed 10 lay aud never shut my eyes till
lay break.
Christmas Eve came. All day the
I4land had been choked in cold mist
Away to the northeast the gray bank OF
og broke Il little rs the sun went down,
md showed pile Of cloud black rs mid
light.
"Jocku been stayin' win me ever
ince summer. He didn't seem like him.
,cll that night. so restless and uneasy |
ike, and TO see il couldn't pacily him,
got my Bible and begun to read just
where il opened, which happened to be at
he oigtcenth Psalm. lie threw himself
Iown and islenel, but he had such
Iucer. wild look. that shut the Bible |
liter Il little, and told him TO go up stairs
o bed. lie started dociIe enough, but at
he chamber dor he stopped SO long that
spoke 10 him again
"'Go on. now, Jock-thats my good
.oy.' lie gave sach 4 start that was
cared for minute, then he put up his
iand, and said. quite loud,
"'ll's comm! To nightl'
Then he went up stairs.