Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-08-24

formed 10 obtain the money, or nUt-w'
will leave our story 10 tell.
"As Aunt Mallha had predicted
Retha rose the next morning-"brighI
as new pin," and could hardly refrain
from shouting like child. rs she ex
plored once NOR the farm yard, stables,
gsrden and orchard, going from one to
the other with rapidity and delight, ill
almost breathess she stopped at the
garden gate. debating whether or no il
was best to explore the dear old woods
then, or wait ill the next morning
when a CHEEKY good morning" put the
question entirely out OF her mind, and
she looked up to find herself face TO
face with her beneiactor OF the previous
day.
She was not as surprised rs might
have been expected. IN tact when she
dressed hen self in the morning she h al
not put on the dark calico which ut her
fathers suggestion she had made ey-
pressly for her morning rambles. but had
substituted in its stead dainty pink
and white cambric. which was very
becoming She did not stop TO ask
herself why she did This, and if she had.
we doubt il she could have answered the
question, but when Arthur Farrar met
her at the gate she had more the look OF
a person who had just come 'out oil The
bandbox", as the saying is. than OF one
who had just come from romp through
larmyard and stables.
Good morning. Miss Wellington. he
said pleasantly, | am glad to fad sou
out enjoying this lovely morning. as it
gives me the assurance that you have
recovered from the iatigues oi yesIer-
day"
"Oh yes indeed" answered ReIha.
IL don't think | could even have pid Ied
sick had | been so disposed. with this
lovely sky and refreshing morning air,
waiting for me out OF doors. have not
seen anything so lovely siucc used 10
come here in childhood"
IL truly hope you will not tire of the
beauty, when the newness wears OFT, aud
YOU realize how very quiet II is here. Tor
promised your good aunt that would
do anything in my power, to keep yon
from dying oi loneliness partly 10
sustain my reputation as "man OF my
word" but good deal moro for my own
selfish qualification | came over TO In
quire for your health. and TO oler you
my humble services in any capacity in
which you can make them oil use,"
Retha thanked him. and they were
soon chatting as gaily rs though they
had known each other for years. Tor
Arthur Farrar had resolved 10 make
himself so agreeable. as 10 be irresista.
ble-and it was his proudest boast that
when he bent himself TO accomplish a
thing he never iailed-and judging from
appearances, he certainly was Tar from
failing now, for such pleasant compan'
ion was not 10 be had for the asking in
every farming district. and Retha met
his gentlemanly courtesies with cordial
grace, that soon placed them upon very
friendly footing.
Days and weeks flew rapidly by. and
Retha had spent very pleasant month
in Upton, when one evening in the early
twilight, Edward Dudley walked up to
the front door. and lifted the old fash
ioned "knocker." The echo which it
sent ringing through the great rooms
had scarcely died away when Retha
herself opened the door. and almost
screamed with delight and surprise as
she saw who stood before her.
She hurried him in. and nearly over.
powered him with the multitude oil
questions which she showered upon him.
When she was fairly out of breath. he
quickly asked her Iii he was 10 have his
short. cake TO night or early IN the morn
ing, il must be one or the other, he said
'as he was going back on the Ten O'Clock
train"
Relha was half mind to be indignant
at such a flying visit, but when he
laugningly told her, THAT she had com'
manded him to do all that horrid scrio'
bling, and let her father rest, and he
could not possibly scrlbble and rustica'e
in the country at the same time" she
concluded to be magnanimous and give
him his strawberry short-cake Tor supper.
Aunt Martha rose to accompany her 10
the kitchen. but Retha quickly stopped
her, saying:
mo. no. auntie. you stay and enter
tain Edward, and | will get his tea all
alone, for expect it will be wonderfully
nice, and | want all the credit"
Thus commanded, aunt Martha had
nothing to do but obey-so she set her.
self about the task of entertaining with
all her llight. She told him all the
news that could possibly interest him,
and this item being soon exhausted, she
hit upon far more fruitful topic, viz
Retha's acquaintance with Mr.. Farrar.
and by the time the short cake was
ready, Edward had pretty good
idea of how matters stood.
For some unaccountable reason Ed
/ ---i n..-ll.. LII q distrnat and lislika