Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-05-11

little soul, but. like all women. you Judge
too impulsively, and-who's that, !
wonder?"
A heavy step passed the window, iol'
lowed by ring at the hall bell. Mrs
FERGUSON opened the study door as
Jane, their steady elder servant, passed
down the stairs, candle in hand.
IL wonder il that's Sarah, come home
TO- night instead of to morrow ?" said her
mistress.
"Lawa, no, ma'am, not likely" an
Swored Jane; "but we'll soon see who 1t
is, and pulling away the chain from the
door she opened it, disclosing a mans
figure without. lie was dripping wet,
and had to hold his hat on with one hand
or the wind would have carried 1t Tar
away; the other hand he extended, with
a large, damp, yellow envelope therein.
a telegraft ~ cried Jane. taking The
misSive from him and passing it on to her
mistress, who in her turn carried il 10
her husband. and watched his face anX.
iously as he opened and read it. a grave,
perplexed look came over his features as
he handed 1t back.
The message was from his brother Al
Fordham, place forty miles distant.
and ran thus:
Come Immediately third bad fit
my father anxiously expects You"
NO help for it, Kate" said Mr.. Fer
gus,ou, answering his wiie's appealing
look. so much may depend upon my
seeing him once more that dare not
choose but to 60. How am TO get to
the station. though. in time Tor the ten
o'clock mail, wonder? It's nearly nine
now. and five miles on such night rs
this would take me more than an hour to
walk 2"
walk YOU cannot, John" answered
his wife. IL know," she added quickly
= the man who brought this message
must 90 back past Mr.. Hollands; | will
wli,e a note asking him 10 send Arnold
and his dog cart up for YOU. Anything
is better than walking. | know he will
DO it Tor YOU"
Mrs. Ferguson wrote her note hurried
Is. while her husband spoke to the
telegraph official. who promised 10 so to
Air. Hollands at once.
When he had gone, Jane stood looking
blankly from master TO mistress, aud then
she said doleiuly. land please, sir, what
is to become OF Us -
become of you? Why you will stay
and take cale OF the house. 10 be sure.
said her master. rather shortly. Then.
closing the study door upon himself and
wife, he added, but don't half like
leaving you at such a time and with only
one servant. too, and all that money
ia the house. How awkwardly things
happen sometimes ~
lie was SO heartily concerned. so evi
deully uneasy, that as matter OF course,
his vile cheered him up by assuming u
bright courage that she was far from leel'
ing. She lighted a candle and held out
heI hand. lie understood the gesture,
"God bless them ~ he said, and fol.
Iowed her up the stairs to where the
children slept to give their little sleeping
faces a farewell kiss.
As be stood by their beds, he heard the
horse coming up to the door-the hall
hour had passed too quickly; but another
thought struck him al the last moment.
Don't leave that money down stairs
all night, Kate; put it in my dressing
room; or stay. put it yonder"-aud be
pointed to door partly overhung with
curtain-"ihat's the safest room in the
house. Good. by, my darling | will tel
egraph in the morning in time for the
poslinan to bring the message. 1t I'm
not back to morrow. get Allen and his
wife to sleep in the house. God bless
you. good by"
Another moment aud he was gone. and
Jane and her mistress looked like two
very lonely and deserted females. indeed
as they stood peering out into the dark
ness. listening to the wheels.
Como, Jane, this will never do, ;" said
her mistress at last. wiping some ram
drops and drops of another nature from
her face. LET US see that all the doors
and windows are fasti Get your supper,
and tell me when you are ready Tor bed
Then she herself re entered the study
and sat down TO collect her thoughts
somew hat, alter the hurry and turmoil oil
the last halt hour.
Tee illness of her father-in law; would
he relent at the last aud let her husband
share his property with his other chill
dren? Differences arising out OF John
Fereusson's marriage with dowerless
woman, lomented by petty family
iealousies. strengthened by the inde'
pendent attitude the young man had
assumed-such differences hadbeen after
all. the heaviest grief of Mrs. Fergus.
sons married life. And now she won
dered on them. till the clock on the
chimney. piece struck the hour OF ten and
! startled her out of her meditations.
! This is the night" she thought. "ior
winding the time piece up" and she
! a. -, ..,o,,,, Cor ,ha tsv