Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-11-30
Selrett0 Storp.
ANSTlCE'S THANKSGIVING.
The Guest from the Sea.

think the loyeliesl sight | ever saw,
save one-and that will tell you about
presen,ly-was our garden party.
Though we lived on the sea shore, oul
grounds had a southcrly exposure, and in
June they were region OF roses roses
and hOneysuckles and az lleas, all their
bloom and briliisnce accented by the dark
baeS ground of hemlOcks; aud here. on
Austices eighteenth birthday. We had our
gardea party.
Anstice was 50 pretty herseli-wiIh her
long hair, that was not quite yellow
enough for gold. nor quite dark enough
for chestnut. and was full OF short gliSlen-
ing ripples, and her soft brown eyes. and
her color like that of the roses them.
selves-I was looking at her from my
place; for | bad been so III that | was not
one oi the party. aud they had only
drawn my chair - the window above (;
and | remember thinking that Anstice
was 50 pretty herself that, Us Ralph said,
she could make sunshine in shady
place. When be said il, Stuart Magyar
der turned with quick look that said he
resented the liberty Ralph took 10 making
I The quotation at all for ever since Ralph
had come into the neighborhood Stuart
had assumed a certain proprietary right
in AnSlice that was amusing 10 Us who
knew how she detested him. and had
observed how eagerly she listened when
ever Ralph was speaking. and kow she
aad pressed and kept the flower be
Glanced TO give her
Ralph was quite alone in the world,
though he came of good stock. as DE-.
Sterling used TO say and he was in our
part ot the cOuntry with an invention OF
his own-a maine torpedo, | believe,
I which was 10 be tested by the gun boats
anchored off the cape; and, il the gov
ernment accepted it. it would make him
such rapid wealth that he could hence
forth do nothing-noihing but pursue his
studies 10 science. So far from Rllph's
doing nothing. he was the soul oil indus
try. and OF that inexhaustible and almost
holy curiosity in the matters OF the uni
verse that belongs to the trle sons OF
science. DR., Sterling had introduced
him at our house. and he had proved an
invaluable companion; and don't know
whether Anstice really cared more for
him than mamma or or any Of the rest
of US did. though | suppose hers was
different sort OF caring; for one spring
twilight saw them in The garden, slowly
sauntering down walk 10 tho terraces
OF the violet beds, and his arm was about
her then, and they stopped to put their
/ faces into a pink almond bough. and The
faces were SO close together they kissed
each other, aud mad no doubt they had
done il before, and had no doubt. either
,hat Stuart MAynardier had seen thE
anne. for hs was coming in under the
yrape arbor at that moment, and he SUD
denly turned on his heel and went soitlJ
ont. So il was 10 all intents and purposes
an engagement between Ralph and Ans
tice. bet, as they told mamma, they haC
a sentimental feeling abou. his work, ant
didn't want the engagement announced
ill the day his torpedo was tested an'
named q success.
Well. that was TO be, as it happened
on the morning of Anstiee's birthday an'
20 il had been decided that our gafaei
party should take place iu the afternoon
Bnt when the day before arrived, owing
10 some illness OF the commander oil 'h'
chosen guuboat. the test was postponed
4 day. However, it was too late u
put of the garden party, and the guest
beoan TO come as early IS noon-gentie
men and ladies, and lovely girls In al
manner of bright dresses like animated
flowers themselves, as they aoated aboa
noJer the blue SKY among the opening
noxers in the sunshine. The strawoerrie'
on5 cream were set ont under th'
marouee. and The target was up on IN
lawn for the archery; for one OF Anstiee
delights was in the archery just then DC
,,o be Doarlar. and she had coaxe'