Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-02-01
Stltttt0 StOrp.
THE INITIALS ON THE TREE.
BY FRANK LEE BENEDICT.

fNN''e9 oIu cF4tnulu STOunOS OF
Beechwood, on the Hudson. were thrown
open Tor fancy dress jete champe,re. in
which Roman peasants aud Albanian
soldiers competed with beauties Of the
Middle Ages aud Cavaliers Of the Van.
dyke period. Everybody, Tor miles
around, who was socially distinguished,
was present. New York city itself had
sent up some of It's most charming bellies
A brass band. concealed ia = thieket,
alternstsd It's music with that of a score
OF Stringed instruments, which PLAYED
waltzes for the dancers in a gigantic
marquee.
But whi.e AL the rest Of The gay as
sembly appeared to be enjoying them
selves. the PosSCSsOr OF Betchwood
seemed pre- occupied and unhappy His
eye wandered resl,essly about. as il
seeking some one in vain. The ,fiorts OF
MS lair. unmarried guests 10 engage his
aitvutiOa-Xud many there were " ho
msdc 'he attempt, Tor, though more than
lorty years OF age, Douglas Stuart was
S,.ll handsome aud labulously rich--failed
e1cep. for few moments at q time.
Evidently he was out OF spirits.
The truth Was that she, Tor whom the
Jc.c was really given. the one whose
smiles be valued more than the smiles Of
all The rest, had unacoountably disap
peared. Had Douglas Stuart known
where she vas. and how she was occn.
pied. bis restlessuess would have been
even greater. At tha; very moment
Maud Milton vas deep in the famous
beecl wood. that .sy TO the back Of The
house, aud from which the place had
taken is name; a wood so vast ihAi il
exceeded in size ma1y an English park,
and in which some ofthe trees dated back
to the primavsl forest.
Half al hour before, a gentleman,
dressed in : velvet doublei, in the Flor
eu,inc style Of The fourteenth century,
had appeared on the edge of the lawn,
aud in few minutes. Maud. also in a
dress Of that era. had sAuntered. that way,
aud the two bad Immediately disappeared
within the shelter of the wood. There,
seated on a rustic bench. in the very
lul hest and most shaded dell OF the for
esl they had conversed. flor some Time. as
only lovers converse, his arm around her
waist. her head on his shoulder. their
hands clasped. their eyes drinking IN
each others looks. Now their positions
were changed, but were still those OF
lovers. The cavalier was hastily cutting
her initials and his own. K. NJ, within
true lovers heart, on the trunk OF
gigantic beech that partially shaded the
seat: while Maud leaned on his shoulder
watching tie proceeding till 1t was
finished
There, she said, finally, drawing a
long breath, lit is done at last. am so
glad. Rupert. for must so now-they
will miss me, if stay much longer"
You don't regret meeting me. and
coming?" be said. half reproaehtnlly.
"Nolhing but the consciousness that this
wss my only chsnce-that If did not
see you to day should not see you Tor
years-coud have induced me TO have
assumed this disguise, and to have come
where was not invited"
She pressed his arm tenderly.
No. dear" she answered. al do not
regret il. Bot Tor all that it is better l
should not be missed. Don't misunder-
stand me. love. My lite with mamma
will be hard enough-yOu wouidn t do
anything TO make il harder ?"
Mot TOR worlds" He turned, took
her in his arms. and kissed her, as he
spoke. God bless you. darling. for
meeting tne. / feel now as II conlu
brave years Of absence. and all the perlis
OF Australia. You have, by this inter-
view, given me a new pledge OF your
faith"
IL will be true to you. Rupert" said
the girl, with beautiful enthusiasm being
iog to him, and looking up into bis eyes
"as long IS those letters remain when
will be us long as this tree stands anu
that will be for more than the lifetime ot
either Of Us. Forever. mean."
"Foreverl | mean il. too cried me-
and then, with another long. straining
embrace. and a mutual. felyid kiss, the
lovers parted.
Maud Milton was the only child oil a
w;Jow who had once been in opalent
circumstances. But the sudden death OF
her busbend had left her almost penni-
less. so that she had been compelled 10