Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-03-30
ters," aud .hen they sang hymn. Meiis'
sa did not sing. She sat very still and
listened, but she only heard two lines
"BIeatht, or OItaVHt "! IINI"o 'F"'
Inlp every troubled breast"

lnto every troubled breast
Then the minister prayed. and whef
they rose from their knees, the room wa'
duSky with shadows, but he was certain
that there were tears on Mellssa's cheeks
and somehow his he art ached Tor her.
Surely they treat her kiudly ~ he
thought. as they went from the dining
room to the parlor; they are Il Christian
family He was puzzled. and when
few moments later he heard the rafting
( OF china and glass in The next room, he
involuntarily glanced at Della's hands
they were to- white, too sGlt, TO be pretty
he thought.
Melissa cleared the table in the dark
and wept quietly ali the while. Poor
child she was so disappointed. She had
been in little tremor of happiness al
the morning, Tor she thought Mrs. Us
good would certainly invite her into the
psrlor Il few moments to get acquainted
with the minister, ana after dinner she
went to her room and put on = delicate
/ lilac muslin dress. with tiny lace irill IN
the neck and sleeves, but at three O'Clock
Mrs. Osgood came into the Kitchen and
told her to 90 aud put on dark calico
Tor she must mix biscuits Tor supper, and
she would spoil the muslin. OF course
there was no parIor for her after That
aud she was rather surprised when they
called her 10 10 prayers.
While she was washing the dishes
Johnnie came stealing into the Kitchen
on tiploe.
Are they through prayin Melissa
What you crying bout? Did you break
IL djsh?"
Johnnie sympathized with any one who
was - unfortunate as to break i dish
/ He had broken one or two himself.
No. johnnie. she answered.
"pfI YOU burn Your iuger, then'' he
asked anxiou>ly, with his little fat face
uplurned to hers. If you did I'll wGsl
the dishes. every one Of 'em. and you
can wipe EN-, Melissa ~
She declined his offer OF help, but he
staid with her until the minister went
away, and by steady coaxing found out
the reason why she wept.
Mr RidgelY walked slowly home from
the Deacon's. lie boarded with an aged
widow, aud he knew by tie dim light
burning in the parlor when he reached
there, that she had retired. lie was toe
restless 10 study or to sleep. so be walked
up and down the little garden in the star
light. with his hands clasped behind him
10 the style peculiar TO ministers in
thought. There were a great many
roses blooming 10 iheTwidow's garden
The son night air was laden with their
perfume. and they made him think oI
Melissa. OF course there was no Iesem
blance between the flowers and Deacon
Osgoods help for she was white and
dropping like lily, and they were IN
full. rich bloom; but she was pure Ike
them, and sweet, like their breath, ant
they made him think OF her. With The
thought of her came a memory OF wha'
his old aunt said to him the night before
he came TO Lynton.
"Judson. she said, in her broad Eng
li.h. you're going away with the grace
of God in your heart; you've got the ole
Ridgely muscle. and the marrow OF th'
spirit in yonr bones. and your feet arr
we'll shod, but you lack one thing. yor
need a helpmate. Az. my boy. your
not complete. You'll ind Il out som'
day. and when you do. follow the lead
lngs of Jour heart. You've got an hon
est Ridgely heart. my boy, and it'll no
lead YOU amiss."
Why did the roses make him think o.
Melissa? Why did the thought of he
bring his aunt's words TO his mind II
certainly could not have loved her whei
he had only spoken 10 her once. did 80
say ? No. suppose not. / believe
isn't called love at the beginning.
Johnnie and the minister became yer
intimate after that night. Johnnie like
him because he had once been littl
hoy and he often went TO the widows
visit him. He told him about Melissa
crying the night he was at their house
tea and he also told him that she had
lot of books in her bed room that used
belong TO her tather-he guessed ther
was as many as i've hundred, altogel hel
One day the minister p!ueked two
three posies, rose and few geraniuT
leaves from the widows flower bed. an
sen. the new bouquet to Melissa by Johr
ME. Johnnie told him the next day lba
she had kissed il after she thought h
was out Of the room. but he peepe
through q crack in the door. and saw ht
do il. He went to the Deacon's oite
after that. but he never could get a chanc
to talk TO her alone.
, One night when none OF the famil
was to prayer meeting but her and ih
Deacon, he undertook to go home wit
= her alone, but before they had gone tw
SQUARES the Deacon came putting up
them. and talked "new pulpit" until the
reached the gate.
By tho last OF September the ministe