Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-08-31

| her little cousins. she would give tie
whole thing up. So you may imagine
/ her delight, when she was giving the
! finishing touches TO her work. and trying
to make it look rs T. ElHard used to. TO
have that very worthy individual walk
into the room, without giving her the
slightest nlimation before hand, that he
was within a thousand miles.
With her usual impulsiyeness she
sprang TO meet him, and forgetting in
her delight that he was not really the
brother he seemed. she raised her pretty
mouth with kiss OF welcome.
Too latn she realized. with burning
cheeks, what she had done. for the
temptation was too great for Edward, or
his resolves. aud he clasped her in his
arms showering kisses upon lips and
brow. with fervor that gave proof OF
his sincerity.
I Releasing her, he held the blushiug
girl at aims length, and almost in an
instant the happiness that had so lit mp
his face. died out, and with look OF
unutterabe sadness, he said;
'Oh Retba, am wrong. all wrong. !
came hoping to give you pleasure. and
now have only given you pain. The
very kiss, which you offered me so
freely. and which sent all my good
resolves flying to the winds, proves that
you love me as brother, while | love
YOU, as | never did and never shall love
another, knew this before | went away
but every act of yours proved so plainly
that you regarded me rs brother that
knew ! should only pain you with an
avowal OF my real feeling, SO | went
away determined TO live my love down,
or at least get il under control. have
shown you how | have succeeded, give
me your forgiveness, know it is all you
have TO give. And before Retha could
frame the answer she wished TO give he,
in compassion Tor her embarrassment had
turned and left the room.
As soon as bis footsteps had died away,
Re,ha llew up the staircase and once sale
in her own room sat down in little heap
upon her favoIte rug. before tho fire.
and covering her face with her hands,
whispered softly:
"Oh | didn't know it. didn't know it..
but that is why have n issed him so and
wanted him so Il wonder it | should
always have gone on loving him and not
knowing il ?'
! rap at the door and her mothers
voice. telling her ITO hurry and dress,
for Edward had just surprised them by
walking into the sitting room, and she
must hurry down ard welcome him,
brought her out of her "little spasm,' as
she afterwards called it, and set her to
dressing in q great hurry.
The evening had nearly rvch d It's
close. when little fellow hurrying from
room to room in search OF cousin
dropped from his overloaded hands, a
paper of sweetmeats. which scattered at
the feet of Edward. .stOoping he gathered
them up. but the little fellow, uRconcious
OF his loss was out of sight.
So calling Retha who was near, be
said:
"Charlie has dropped his candies, will
you take them in charge for him ?"
"Oh yes" she answered. spreading
them out on the broken paper. ''he will
soon be back looking for them. should
think he would prize the collection for
there is almost averything represented
here.n AS she turned the little red,
yellow and blue animals and things over,
pure white article caught her eye, and
without stopping to grow afraid, she hid
it in her hand, saying:
You came so Unexpectedly we had no
presents prepared Tor you Edward
would you be very much offended if
gave you a very poor little bit OF q one p
The fact of your giving it. wonld
take away all its poverty" he enswered'
holding out his hand. "Then accept
this, for It is all your own" and she
placed dainty sugar heart in his
outstreatched hand.
1t was no place for words. and they
exchanged none. but the great gladness
that filed his eyes, told her more than a
whole volume Of words. and tells the
reader SO much that | need go no
further into particulars.
Yes there was a wedding-lots ol
people, and lots Of presents. and ]
remember hearing some one remark thai
the bride looked "nsgnificentlg," but
noticed more than Dress. the look ol
happy. perfect content. and loving trus'
with which she placed. her hand in that o'
the noble man at her side. and the look o
glad thankfullness with which he folded
the dainty treasure within his own
protecting palm
|