Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-07-13


Don't fret, cara mia. it will bs all
right So she wont consent to our mar
riage, ch2"
"She says most positively that she will
not"
What shall we do, LizzyP Shpll We
elope quietly ?"
20 Charley. you know would never
marry without her consent ~
"And are two lives to be made miser.
able Just because she thinks matrimouy a
mistake ?" he asked, gravely.
IL suppose so, Charley"
Lizzy Dews(ord's pretty head dropped
like rose in the rain. Charley watched
her qnivering lip and tear wet eyelashes,
aud sail no more.
Mrs. Dewsford was ready with pre- t
poSlerous green umbrella to keep of the
sun, tin case to put ferns in. and an
extra pair of boots, in tie event OF swampy
walking, when Mr.. Evero,t's little light
Phaeton drove up to the door. The
springs creaked omiuously as she stepped
in; and Lizzy. meekly following, was
overwhelmed by her mothers vulumnous
draperies.
Il had better sit in the middle-it pre-.
serves the equilibrium of the vehicle
better" said Mrs. Dewslord, wedging
herself in between Lizzy and Mr. Everett
with a smile of great compacency.
AMI she Immediately began discussing
the properties and habits OF the fern
with unpau>iug No,ubili,y, while Lizzy.
pcrched on the extreme outer edge OF III,
seat, bad all she could DO 20 keep in ,hc
vehicle, aad Mr E,,reit's eyes were in
eNu,me danger nom lbc poiG,s cf thr
green CmJrcl'a. which vectcd too aud
iro lac shi. i a storm
Saddculy She checked herself. as her
eyc caught . cluster OF green wayius
We, t+llon ou the creS,-.ikc point Of
rock which overhuu3 the road
Charles Charles :" she cried, stop
minute! Can't you reach that asplcuium
cbenum ?"
"ls lhi, /, m,'.m?' asked Mr. Everett,
making dive at tall stalk oil SOM
thing.
NO. no; not tha.-lhc little green
thing with lie black EN-"
This, ma'am?" hazarIed Charley.
cll;ching at A,-lcaycd cluster of weedy
groFIh.
"Oa, dear. dear, Charles, how stupid
you are!" sighed Mrs. Dow,iorJ. "l'il
jump cut snd get it myself"
Mamma :" demonstrated Lizzy.
"Oh, I'll help her" nodded Charley,
Springing uimbly on he elf aud pulling
Mrs DewstorG by main force up the steep
side OF The rock. Here you are mahm."
"Yes," painted Mrs. Dewslord. "but-
but 1t was very steep. | really think
women should devote more attention to
gymnastics. Oh, here's the asplendiom,
very choice specimens. too; Charles
where ale you going ?"
For Mr.. Everett hal spruhg back into
the phaeton,
"Olly Tor little turn, ma'am, while
you are collecting your botanical treas
ures."
Yes, but Charles
Mrs. Dew sford's words of remoustrance
were drowned in the rattle of the wheels
as Mr. Everett drove brisSly away, with
Lizzy nesting up to his side. One long
lingering glance she gave after the
departing pair and then returned to her
lin case and umbrella.
they'll be back presently. she said.
But the afternoon sunlight faded of
from the cliff. and the red orb OF day sank
maieslicAlly down behind the evergreen
gleas that bounded the western horizon,
and Mrs Dewslord grew tired and cross.
and rheumatic. and still, like the charac
ters OF rcmance, "tbey came not"
Something has happened !" cried the
prophetic sui of Mrs. Dewsford. 1T
can't be possible that l shall have to stay
here all night"
She looked uervously round. Ii was
tall steep cliff on which she stood, cut of
from the woods beyond bY the rush and
roar of vide and 10y no means shallow
stream on one side; while on the other
three it WAS almost perpendicular, rising
some twenty feet from the road. Mrs.
Dewsford began to feel. as she survey ed
il. very much like ST. Simeon Stylites, on
his column in the wilderness.
IF they shouldn't come :" she thought.
But at the same instant welcome
rumbling Of wheels broke the hushed
Stiffness OF the seldom-traveled mountain
road. and Mrs. Dewsford's strained eyes
caught sight OF Mr.. Everett's spirited
gray dashing round the curve OF hill.
Nv ell ! sue CI'tui Ho'ei ""H 'p"'V
thankful for anything in my life! | am
tired to death waiting"
"Are you?" said Charles Everett, as he
checked his horse in the middle OF the
road.
"Yes. Why can't You drive closer?"
sharply demanded Mrs. Dewsiord.
"Oh, did you want TO drive home with
us?"
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