Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-08-31

Arthur Farrar 10 the city would bring
him into their presence very shortly, and
rs soon rs Mr.. Wellington lolt sure that
his daugater was strong enough, he lelI
her ard returned to his Office, finding il
occupied, as he had expected, with The
subject of his thoughts.
Calmly, and with his usual courtesy. he
exchanged the necessary greetings, and
while inquiring for his sister and family
easily paved the way for Farrar to make
his errand known.
In wisely chosen, plausible words. he
told the story oil his love. (') and closed
by asking the fathers consent 10 his laying
his hearts best affections at the feet OF
the daughter, to whom he had reason to
believe they would not be distasteful.
Then, to see this old man as he rose to
his feet and faced the artlul villain, was
grand sight. His very attitude, ere a
word had passed his lips. struck terror TO
the false heart waiting for leave to carry
out the deep deception which it had
planned.
Bnt the consent which was looked for
with such assurance was never given. In
few plain. cutting words, Mr., yelling
ton showed the imposter that the game
was at an end.
lyon have asked leave to win my
daughters affections" he said land as
her representative, allow me to say that
she knows you as you are. and despises
you as you deserve" and opening the
office door. he added. For myself. ]
shall be obliged to decline the honor of
building your mills. or making your
fortune" The Office door closed. and
Arthur Farrar disappeared from out the
lives of the Welingtons forever.
Months passed swiftly by. and 10 the
casual observer things had the appear.
ance OF moving on exactly Us they had
done on that memorable October morn.
ing when Retha was called to face her
first sorrow; but close observer would
have noticed one or two things which
indicated that change had taken place.
but the change was more noticeable 10
Mr.. Wellington and f. Elward Dudley.
than in Relha or Mrs. Wellington. The
latter was pleased with the turn .ratters
had taken. for she had neccr been pleased
with Mr.. FarrIr'S attentions TO Rrtha-
even his reputed wealth did not counter
balance. in her estimation. the disgrace
OF his being farmer, and when The end
came she was glad to have It SO. thinking
more of The fact that Relha was not going
10 marry that farmer than Of the pain
]: might cause her daughter to give the
farmer up.
But if Relha suffered she did not remind
anyone of il by word or act. For day
or two her eyes had a heavy. tired look.
that told OF sleepless nights. and caused
her father many a bitter sigh; but this
soon passed away. She was young. and
The knowledge of the utter unworthiness
Of her almost lover helped her 10 cast
him out OF her heart entirely, and out oil
her thoughts almost.
In Mr.. Wellington the change showed
itself in the constant care and tenderness
W hich he exercised towards Retha in his
anxiety to see her cheerful and happy.
and the solicilude which he showed il the
least shadow threatened TO cloud her
usually sunny brow.
None but the shaIpest eyed could
have detected the change in Edwards
conduct, even Retha. sensitive as she
was did not observe it. but had you been
there. with q little bit Of knowledge Of
how the wind was blowing. you would
have seen that Instead OF the old teazing
ways, which had made him the torment
of Retha's life, there was quietness
almost q restraint Of manner, which he
tried so successfully TO hide that 1t was
imperceptable TO those most deeply
but it grew more and more
marked rs the weeks passed by. The
auietness had settled into something
very nearly akin TO sadness. when about
the middle OF November,it it became
ne cessary for one Of the partners to 60
West, on business that would probably
d.,ain them for some two months. OF
cour.e Edward volunteered 10 go, being
the better able. and in view of the
coming holidays Retha bewailed his
departure sadly. assuring him that"she
knew they shouldn't have any Christm as
Tree at all without him. for he
was always her head man. and she
thought that it was positively teo bad
that he was going of to leave all the
Christmas work Tor her to do"
business before pleasure" you know,
be answered. though if could help you
as ,cish 10. l would gladly stay, and
with these blind words, he left her.
For moment Reiha wondered what
he meant, but remark from her mother,
drove the subject from her mind. and she
forgot TO wonder any more about it.