Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-02-24

have always liked him, and you never
said anything" repeated my poor aunt
Augusta; 81 will be your friend, though,
just the same"
more To be said. and in a month Aunt
Augusta and Ahner Stanton were mar.
ried. Sam AveriIl stayed till alter the
wedding, and then he went off. and had
never been heard Of again until to-day
br Aunt Augustus family.
lie went 10 California. throwing his
whole life into work; his work prospered,
and he had come back now with houses
and lands and gold mines-a rich man.
lie had come back 10 find Aunt Augusta.
and learn how The world had Jared with
her. For in all these years Of buying and
selling and getting gain, he had kept the
empty room in his heart that had once
been filled by his love.
Auut Augustus married life had not
been happy. 1t is very dangerous for
man 10 take in a mean habit temporarily,
for it vii stick TO him; and AGner Stan
tons character never recovered from The
twist those Intercepted letters gave it,
don't know what, but something was
always going wrong between them
Even their children proved barriers in
stead ol bonds. As he grew older his
alura economy and thrift became
tronger and stronger, until. us my
mother said. "he got So clost he could
sit, aud seven more like him, on Il three
cent piece" Finally, one day, under
Sopie provocalion. he told Aunt Augusta
about the lost letters.
You oughln'l 10 have told ME that.
Abner," said she. You ought not 10
have told me. can never forgive you" "
She never did. Always after, there
seemed 10 be something separating them,
cold aud hard aud transparent rs ice.
until at last they agreed to live apart.
And so they did until the death of Mr.
Stanton. Now Aunt Augusta WAS living
surrounded by her children aud grand
children, happy and comfortable.
Mother brought down thus the story
OF Aunt Augustus life. while Mr Averill
listened, eager and excited. When she
hal finished he Knocked the ashes from
his pipe. aud starting up, began 10 walk
the door.
~ start for Portland TO morrow morn.
ing and see what Augusta will have 10
say 10 me now. ! AN CT the same mind
always Was. I've never hankered Tor
Il moment aitor any other woman. and ]
am Is ready 10 marry her to day rs ever
was
So the next day saw him OH The Port
land train. gray with cars. but youthful
with expectation.
This time he did not waste his oppor
tunlly by waiting 10 make himself fine.
Out with The CRIME and dust OF travel
vet upon him. he went directly 10 the
house Il Aunt Augustus daughter, with
whom she is living.
Where is Mrs. Slauton? want 10
see her tight away said he. AS soon as
The door WAS opened.
You will find her here; walk in. il
YOU please" replied tho housemald.
throwing open the door OF the sitting
room.
Mr. Ayeril stepped quickly forward.
Yes, there she sat. stitching away rs be-
fore on some kind OF primrose colored
stuhr, with her eyes rs black and bright
n, ever. But the primroses were faded
ia her cheeks. and she wore n cap on her
head
Il have come for YOU again. Augusta.
Am too late this time?" cried The i'm.
patient lover.
The roses came back 10 Aunt Augustus
ceceks, and the rcd hot arrows shot out
of her eyes once more.
Bless usl 1t it isn't Sam Ayerill,
nose and all = she said. holding up her
hands.
From twenty to fifty is but Us watch
in the night. then the years are past; and
ii is only when an old lady mods triumph
antly at you liom The looking glass, say
ing, Here | am, my dear" or when
children you have nursed in your arms
come al ound with the rights and duties
OF full-giown men and women, that you
remember one is no longer oung at aity
But the sight OF Sam Averill's gray hairs
and wrinkles were as good as looking
glass 10 remind Aunt Augusta.
"Sit down, SAM" said she, "and lei
me look at you. 1t seems like the rea
old times To see you once more. You
look wonderful natural, but dear me,
how you have changed You've grown
old as we'll as myself"
But Mr.. Averill was not to be diverted
by any side issues.
Augusta" said he, earnestly, al made
serious mistake once. II was not
mistake about my own mind, however
that remains the same il ALWAYS was
Every woman w ever seen seemed like
lalow candle beside the sun when i
think OF you. have made my fortune,
and all want nov is you TO come and
share it with me- 1t is you. or nobody,
Just as il always was"
Maybe Aunt Augustus heart throbbed
little with the old yearning toward the
loya of bar von,h hnt sha shoak her