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

the latter was to show him. Webster
took out his pocket-book, and began
turning over the papers inside.
"This is it, Gus?' said Mosley taking
hold of the nearest. square white en-
velope directed in what looked. so far as
| could see across the table. p very pecu'
liar hand. But Webster drew il back
hastily.
"No. no. that's private letter" be
answered. and this time could not mis-
take that he gave one OF those odd looks
across at Miss Knowles, "a very pecu'
liarly private letter, tha, | wouldn't LET
out OF my hands fol double Y"
well, you needn't be afraid Of my
making a bid for it," replied Moseley
"rve use enough for my double KS with.
out buying up old paper. Now, then
have you found the right one this time,
or shall call again next Christmas'"
Webster, it appeared. had iound the
right thing. aud the two witty gentlemen
presently deprived us of their company
Il don't remember ever TO have seen
Mr. Webster in such an agreeable flow Of
spirits" said TO Miss Knowles, who,
with myself, happened to be the last left
nj the table, Il wonder what it betokens p
"NO good to somebody" answered
Miss Knowles contemptuously, the first
word she had ever said to me against
Webster. | was about to reply, when
my loot touched something under The
table, and STOPPING down ! picked up a
paper.
mir. Webster has dropped one OF hi
leucrs-the peculiarly private one, per
haps," l said laughing. and, turning il
over, recognized, in TACT, the marked
/ handwriting. Al the same moment, Miss
Knowles eyes tell on the superscription
aid her lace grew white to the very lips
My God! can it be- she gasped
Give it To mc-the letter" impatiently
=, looked at her in bewilderment
gave it to her. she tore it open. cast one
look at the signature, and then her hand
as ii pai,ied let The crushed paper fall
and she sat staring slraigh. before heI
with n look OF such blank despair as
hope never to see again in any human
/ lace
What is the writer OF that letter tC
yon'' | cried, with pnng OF keen
though underlined jealousy.
"Ilc was-he is-my husband, she
SAID, slowly. rs if every word was &
weight dragged from her. Then, with 4
sudden. fe.erish haste. you did mol
expect 10 lind me an impostcr! But re-
member, warned you All. YOU arc
silent You would not dlink that pledge
to friendship now'"
Not to friendship" broke in, reused
out OF my stupor, "but to love! Why
should man YOU hate stand between
YOU and"
stop, Mr.. Denvers." she interposod
gravey, stop before you speak any
word 10 destroy the single pleasant mem
oly of all my later years. Do looS
| like n woman she continued, lifting
her head proudly. Ito sacrifice honor tC
happiness? Have ever given you 8
glance or - tone that could let you thinE
thAi?'
NO" said 1. bitterly, you have been
| prudence itself! 1t is so easy to be pru.
dent when one is cold; so easy to say
Go, tor | do not love you"
There was a moments silence and
then u voice, her voice. but rs had
never heard ii yet, spoke my name
George" it said, softly, 81 do not say
Go, for do not love you but. Go, because
| | love you! Hush You know me vel
enough to know that means good by for.
ever; mot one word more, if you would
have me believe you worthy OF my con.
fession.n
She had known how 10 use an appea
impossible to resist. | get my teeth to
keep back the struggling words, while
she continued. 81 count on you 10 help
instead of hindering me. feel toe
stunned. too bewildered TO think clearly. y
She took up the letter again. and looked
at il rs il some sort of conflict were
going on in her mind. Nonsense !" she
said, finally. with bitter smile; "such
delicate scruples are misplaced between
husband and wife will respect your con-
iidcuce as you wouldrespect mine, james
Iuntey." And with that she opened the
letter again and read it through deiber.
atcly.
have no time to lose" she cried
when il was finished. THAT man. Web.
sler, has somehow discovele ed my secret
and betrayed it toto him striking the
paper. "He will follow his letter, he
writes, at once-why. good God! lie may
be here, then, at any time-this very
day No, have not an instant TO spare
She stood up, and holding out both bel
hands, looked long and earnestly in my
face. Goodbye, George" she said
"wherever and whatever my life may be
it will be the brighter for you. God
bless you. and goodbye forever"
Not quite yet" pleaded. you vii
let me have one look, one word, at the
very last-I must, | will"
Sne hesitated my face, perhaps, warn
| al Lar mt IN fay Snhmissjo tO0 far