Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-03-23


than our wakefulness
The more did this elderly couple feel
interested in the unknown youth. to
whom the wayside and the maple shade
were as A secret chamber, with the rich
gloom of damask curtains brooding over
him. Pcrceiving that stray sunbeam
I glimmered down upon his fame, the lady
contiiyed To twist branch aside, so as 10
intercept it. Aud having done this act OF
Kindness she began TO feel like mother
10 him.
providence seems TO have laid him
here" whispered she to her husband,
''and to have brought us hither to find
him. alter our disappointment in our
cousins son. Methinks | can see like
ness to our departed Henry. Shall we
waken him9"
TO what purpose ?" said the merchant,
hesialing I'VE know nothing OF the
youths character"
That open countenance :" replied his
wife 10 the same hushcd voice, yet
earnestly. This innocent sleep"
While these whispers were passing.
The slceper's heart did not throb, nor his
breath become agiIaled, nor his features
belray the least token OF interest Yet
Fortune was bending over him, just
ready to let fall burden of gold. The
old merchant had lost his only son. and
had no heir TO his wealth except a distant
relative. with whose conduct he was dis.
satisfied. In such cases, people some
times do stranger things than TO act the
magician, and awaken a young man TO
splendor who fell asleep in poverty.
Shall we not waken him?" repeated
the lady, persuasively.
The coach IS ready. sir, said the ser
want. behind
The old couple started, reddened, and
hurried away, mutually wondering that
they should ever have dreamed OF doing
anything so ridiculous. The merchant
threw himself back in his carrivge and
occupied his mind with the plan of n
magnificent asy lum tor unfortunate men
OF business. Meanwhile David Swan
enjoyed his nap.
The carriage could not have gone above
mile or two. when pretty Young girl
came along, with tripping pace, which
showed precisely how, her little heart WAS
dancing in her bosom. Perhaps ii was
his merry kind OF motion that caused
is there any harm in saying it?-her
garter 10 slip its knot Conscious that
the silkeu girth-it silk il was-was re.
laNipg its hold. she turned aside into the
shelter of the maplelrees, and there
found q young man asleep by the spring
Blushing as red as any rose, that she
should have intru ded into gentleman's
bed chamber and for such purpose. too.
she was about 10 make her escape on Zip
toe. But there was peril near the Sleep
er. 4 monster OF bee had been wan
dering goverhcad-buzz, buzz. buzz-now
among the leaves. now flashing through
the strips of sunshine, and now lost in
the dark shade. ill finally he appeared TO
be settling on The eyelid OF David Swan.
The sting Of bee 10 sometimes deadly.
As free hearted as she was innocent. the
girl attacked the intruder with her hand
kerchief, brushed him soundly, and drove
him from beneath the maple shade. How
sweet a picture! This good deed accom-
plished, with quickened breath and
deeper blush, she stole glance at the
youthful stranger for whom she had been
battling with a dragon In the air.
He is handsome !" thought she. and
blushed redder yet.
How could it be that no dream OF bliss
grew so strong within him, that, shattered
by It's very strength. it should part asun-
der. and allow himl to perceive the girl
among its phantoms: Why. at least, did
no smile of welcome brighten upon his
face7 She was come. the maid whose
soul, according TO the old and beautiful
idea, had been severed from his own'
and whom. in all his vague but passion
ale desires. he yearned to meet. Her,
only, could he love with a perfect love. -
him only could she receive into the depths
OF her heart, and now her image was
family bushing in the fountain bY his
side; should 1t pass away, its happy
lustre would never CLEAN upon his life
again.
"How sound he slcepsl" murmured
the girl.
She departed, but did not trip along
the road so lightly as when she came;
Now this girls fattsr was thriving
country merchant in the neighborhood.
and happened. at that identical time. TO
be looking out for just such mau as
David Swan. Had David formed a way
side acquaintance with the daughter, he
would have become the fathers clerk,
aud all else in natural succession. So
here again had good fortune-the
best of fortunes-stolen so near that her
garments brushed against him: and be
/ knew nothing of the matter.
The girl was hardly out OF sight, when
two men turned aside beneath the maple
shade. Both had dark faces, set of by
cloth cans. which were drawn down