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


Offered itself. l say, because it was en-
IIrely by accident that he took seat
directly back OF Arthur Farrar and a
companion in one of the city reading.
rooms Il lew days after his talk with
ltetha. lie might have read his paper
and gone out, none the wiser Tor the close
proximity in which he was seated 10 q
man whom he felt TO be an undeclared
Toe. had not the rather loud words OF the
man seated opposite Farrar attracted and
instantly invited his attention.
"By the by, Farrar, suppose you have
come in town TO bind the bargain with
old Wellington. haint you? Or don't you
allow folks to question you on your sacred
lore affairs ?"
Sacred love-" sneered Farrar. "As
to that, you can ask as many questions as
you please. and shall answer the same
number"
That's fair, I'm sure; but honestly,
now, is the wedding.day appointed"
Not exactly-though it is pretty well
understood that the spring flowers shall
cover the grave of my single blessedness."
"Grave-man-why. you don't expect
to bury your bessedness. do You? |
thought people in Your position looked
forward to getting double or triple
portion"
I'm glad you stopped there. for the
portion is just what / am after. The
girl is well enough-adores me and all
lhat-but | tell you, 'divest her of her
feathers you undo her, for me haven't
waited and watched all these years Tor
nothing, and now its very comfortable 10
find rather nice kind Of girl. with a
princely ioitunc 50 completely at my
service as this one is. Her moncy builds
my mills aud makes my fortune"
Edward Dudley could hardly restrain
himself from throwing the heavy paper
weight that lay at his elbow at the ras
cally head that nodded with such assur
aHce before him.
Fearing that he should betray the 10
dignaliOn he felt, he rose hastily aud left
the room. For some time he walked
with bowed head and thoughtful brow.
but at length turning he retraced bis
steps in 4 quick, determined way which
proved his mind made up.
la twenty minutes he stood before Mr.. !
Wellington who was reading his morning
paper alone in the Office. but he hesilated.
for it was no pleasant Task which lay
before hm-and it was only after u
thorough weighing OF the right and
wrong oi the case that he had decided tO |
perlO. N part that seemed so much like |
taIebcaHag-but the fact that Relha's |
happiness was a. stake had decided him,
and he had fastened to ilud Mr. yelling
ton.
Looking Up that worthy gentleman
said,
Anything wrong. Edward? ? You look
aS though you had been lunning race"
Yes sir-there are several things !
wrong. and want to inform YOU of them.
as feel that you are lar better qualified
To Judge of the right course to pursue
than am. The task is very diStasteiul
to me, as it savors OF talebearing, but the
happiness OF one very dear to us both is
concerned, and | cannot allow my own
inclinalious 10 govern me now," and in rs
few words rs possible he told Mr.. Wei |
lington OF the conversation 10 which he
had listened.
To say that Mr. Wellington was
shocked and indignant, would but ieebly
express lts real feelings. Never. before
or after, did Edward see his aged partner
so angry and excited. The thought that
his precious. only daughter had so nearly
become the victim OF base imposter
entirely ovelcame him. and Tor few
moments he walked the floor excitedly.
Growing calmer. as the necessity oi inn
mediate action presented itself. lie turned
to Edward and said.-
You have done me service TO day
my boy. Tat shall never forget. Had
you allowed any false notions Of honor TO
prevent your telling me what you heard,
YOU would have done Retha a fearful
wrong, and one that would probably
have brought her parents gray hairs TO
the grave. | did not share the suspicious
which you tell me you have entertained,
and so highly did brother Merrill RECON-
mend this man. that had perfect conf.
dence in him. Thank God our eyes are
opened before it is too late. | am going
10 the house now. and il this fellow calls
here before my return, tell Judson to
request him to wait. as shall be back as
soon as may be-"
We will not follow the father on the
unpleasant errand he had to perform, Tor
il was Retha's first love dream. and too
well her father knew that sad would be
the awakening. but he comforted and
fortified himself for the task before
him by thinking
1.-The a,Oakening would be inevitable.
How much better now than when too
late. Thank God. there is yet time 10
save my child from such a life as this
marriage would bring"