Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-09-19
Stltttta Storp.
A WOLF IN SLEEPS CLOTHING


She landed s; the one hotel in our quiet
village, on Saturday morning. We
noticed her particularly because she was
alone, because she was a stranger. end
because she was very pretty. She a q
peared 10 be young lady OF two or
thret-Ant-twmiy, slightly above the
medium size. of perfect iorm,-lhst
Is, u You can adm;, ths, peIiec, beal.h
and ,i1or may 60 with perfec, form
with large piercing black eyes. and n
wealth Of ireSses floating over her
shoulders she was habiled in neat
and conNenient travelling dress. and as
she stepped from the stage-coach 10 the
piaz1t her movements were supple,
though a little cramped by her long ride.
I \ iarge canvass covered trunk followed
her into the hall. after she had been
shown ,rto the parior. the register with
pen and INK, was brought tor her sigma
ture. She nodded pieaSantly-nodded
with smile that capiiva,ed the impress
IDLE clerk-and then in very pretty
I Italian hand. wrote her name-MIss
CLARA DUBoIs. Philadelphia. Pa.
Later Is the landlord politely escorted
her TO The supper-rooms. she informed
him tla; she hsd heard of bis house
tbs, i; was quiet and Tel.-kept, and that
I ,he had come FOR short res; and respite
/ from the din and turmhi, OF the great
city. And then with the sweetest sum Q
I imaginable. she added:
"As | am alone, and stranger.
ough, perhaps. TO say us, a word OF my
set. Ny mother is not living. Nv
/ father and I have lately rsturued from 3
European tour, and have sought this
/ quiet retreat ~bi.s lie is PreParin cur
house iu PhiIAdelphia. II be can leave
/ bis business he may. in the course OF a
I lew weeks, come up alter me-
( The good hos, was grateful Tor the
information. and very glad the young
lady had houored his house with her
presence. He would do what he could
70 make her stay pleasant and agreeable.
Very soon Miss Dubois became &C
quainted with the guests OF the house.
aud proved herself as intelligent aud
entertaining as she was pretty. She
played well upon the piano-forte. but
did not sing She played chess. toe,
though there was only one party in the
house 10 play it with her.
The days passed on and Miss Dubois
walked much in and about the village.
She seemed much interested in the place
and spoke favorably ofall she saw. Her
usual walking habit was dress OF bla ck
silk, and q jaunty Swiss hat. and very
few met her on the street who did not
turn to take second view.
Boarding at the hotel was Mr.. Aaron
Huntley. He sep: the principal store IN
the village. and was also our postmaster
He was q man Of fve-and-torly, rotund
and good. looking. and had been wid-
over ten years. He wss tender
hearted man. albeit little selt-suficient
and important; but he was impressiblC
and gallant. and he could unbend to the
softer sex. 10 fact. be quietly enjoyed
what he conceived to be his power over
the manageable young ladies OF the
place and a certain power be certainly
did possess. for in addition TO his pass
ably GOOD looks. he was wealthy--tha'
is wealthy, as compared with Other
people in the village He had been
successful trader, aud he had been care
/ ful Of his money, which he worshiPed.
And il was Mr. Hun,ley who played
chess with Miss Dubois. He was a very
tsir player. end she was skillful. Some
. times be came eff winner. though il il
8,pbtfal If he realized that his occasion
a. victory was through thu kind suffer
spce Of hi, lair antagOuist. And so th'
yi'lsrp s.orC-keeper and the pretty visit
or became waru friends. ana !. came a
.Iear;b th.t a.uos, every evening ioun'
them st tbs chsss-5o4rd.
Les ano. he though; that Mr. HnoIiel
Uss the oriv man who sought the socie
70 of Miss DUBOIS. A score. at les'st' o
the Young men OF The village were ver'
a,,sD,iva. She was kind and gracious
~ All. but she plainly showed that thu