Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-05-04


Mir ibe;h?"
"Nc," she answered; 81 know but
little poetry"
Come listen to th, then. here on tll
stone. These dear old ballads are my
best friends"
They sat down together on moss
grown rock, and Philip told her the quaint
old song. in low. rich voice. lh II
brought tears into her eyes. She had
never heard anything so beautiful.
He took her hand and they stood up.
Look" be slid, "the sun is setting.
Ol, Mirabelh, how beautiful this word
is made -
lie walked away from her to the cl fl
whistlng As he stood bareheaded there,
his tigute thrown out against the higher
black rock of the other shore, slanting
shaft OF sunligh! came and fell around
him. Lighting up his beard and hair till
they seemed oil gold.
"Iow splendid he is" thought Mira
beth, as she in the shadow watched him
"a prince OF sunlight -
But when he stood beside her again he
was only common mortal, and all he
said was. Yes, shall make the bridge
just here"
They did not speak again, Harper
whstled most of the way home. Once
he held out his hand TO help her across q
brook, but she was over before he could
touch her.
The sun went down and left the air
purple on the hills. Oat of the valley
rose little white cloud OF mis.. that
stretched softly away among the trees.
following the brook in lis wrdings. In
the distance, somewhere, COW lowed,
and hen all was still.
The evening lights were twinkling in
the houses as they reached the gate.
"Will thee come in. Philip" asked the
girl. Father will like to see thee"
mo, thank thee" he answered, II
have work for TO night. / must draw
the plans for that bridge. Good night,
Miss Mirabeth, and-thank thee for the
walk
For the first time 10 her life she was
jealous. and, strangely enough, jealous
of a railroad bridge that did not exist
4 week went by, and she only saw him
once. At sunrise. as he passed with
gang OF workmen, she watched through
the hop vine that hung over her window.
1t was quite liSe tho Lady Of Shaloot.-
This beautiful cItatuIe shut up in the old
larnl house, always weaving The tireSome
web OF li;tle insignificant household
cares, and there welt the careless Laun
celot singing down The valley, to the
great work OF building flly. foot rail
road bridge.
And day by day the spell OF love had
come upon her. Though she vas power
less 10 10 ought bat work on at her
nonotonous tasks. she saw now that the
color OF her life was gray. and ugly. and
begun TO brighten il with iiItlc fancy
hat had never come 10 her before for
Quaker girls are not given 10 dreaming
Sill Philip did not come TO her. The
bridge she knew was nearly complete; ;
Tor her father had asked her. why
don't thee 60 to see it. daughter? Philip
is likely young man"
She had answered him hastily, "that
she never cared for bridges"
That night Philip stopped at the gate
with his valise again in his hand. lie
was going away by the same stage coach
which had brought him 10 Dilpworth live
months before. Mirabeth was standing
at the gate. She held q white bantam
chicken in her arms. and was caressing
and petting her little dumb friend as
Harper stood before her.
"Oh, Miss Mirabeth." he cried, 81 am
going away for two weeks. ! want you
to promise not to 60 to that cliff I'LL
come back again-please2 ?"
lie spoke hurriedly. inst like boy
asking for something he wants very
much.
She did not raise her head. but went
on stroking her chickea's white feathers.
She WAS so beautiful As she stood in the
pathway, oneithei side OF which grew
two tail stalks OF dayliies that seemed
her haudmaidens. Philip watched her
for moment, but she had not spoken,
and lie knew the stage would pass. lie
slroked Tie chickens head with one fin
ger. "Will you?' he questioned again
The bantam turned and pecked at him
with her sharp little bill.
Naughty Biddy did she hurt thee
Pnilip?"
"Quiek, Mirabeth, tell me-"
lis thee coming again p She did not
look up as she said this.
Thee knows am, Mirabeth.'
al promise"
He put out his hand 10 bid her farewell
but she ran into the house without one
other word.
Harper got into the stage, feeling very
content, though he did not know she
watched him, looking through the hop
vines ill the trees hid him from view.
Aud then Mirabeth threw herself on the