Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-02-01

answer now; but he wants you 70 give
him an opportunity to win your regard,
and cave told him that believe he can.
have told him, too, that such future
for you would make me very happy"
Maud could not speak. She felt abont
blindly for q chair, aud sat down. She
knew what she ought to do. She ought
to tell the whole truth at once; but she
had neither voice nor strength. Then
she heard Mr.. Stuart's grave tones.
This has been too abrupt" he said
II beg your pardon, Miss Maud. l know
it is so new to you that no answer at all
would be possible. See, l am going
away now. Please don't be afraid of
me-"
His gentle voice brought back her
courage q little, but she could see her
mothers eyes iull upon her, and the
words she tried to speak died on her lips.
"Only let me say this" Mr.. Stuart
added. IF later, you can give me the
least hope, you will make me very happy.
and l will try to be worthy of your good.
ness
Then he was gone, and mother and
daughter sat alone among the shadows.
Don't get up, Mand," Mrs. Milton
said quickly. "Let me tell you some.
thing before you say word"
"Only-only-"
"Wait, child / have been foolish
enough, this tall, to indulge in some spec
ulations, in hopes to better our fortune.
They have turned out dismal failures.
have lost the little compete ncy we had. I"
"Oh! mother"
YES! But that is not the worst. Do
not, my child" she added, hurriedly,
Judge me. till you consider the tempta-
ton. not only lost what We had, but
more. To make up tho defcieDcy-to
avoid immediate ruiu-I used Mr.. Stuart's
name. IL initiated his endorse.
ment-."
Mother" This time it was almost a
shrek.
Remember, in justice to me, that |
was wild with despair -insane-I did not
know what was doing. In few months,
as soon as the note 1, due. il will all come
out. With you itrests to save me. Marry
Mr. Stuart. and / am safe-our good
name is spared-my momentary madness
will never be known. Refuse. and you
consign ME to prison"
"But-but." stammered Maud stunned
by this terrible blow,yet cropping blindly
for escape. "Why not throw yourself
on Mr.. Stuart's mercy? Why not frankly
tell all"
1--WE would be rushing into the lions
den, unless, first, you promised to marry
him."
but Rupert?" moaned Maud. al
cannot give him upl"
Rupert! Rupert!n cried Mrs. Milton,
seizing Maud by the arm. ''Do you
dare to weigh your silly fancy for that
adventurer against a'mother's honor. a
mothers lie?-for | swear to you l will
never, never survive the disgrace of an
exposure
She was like some wild animal, now,
in her frenzy and despair. Maud shrsnk
from her side, frightened and trembling
IL can't talk-at least not now"
she said family. IL want to go to my
room. 81 Pleasel Perhaps, to morrow,
~
"Go, answered Mrs Milton more calm
ly, releasing her hold. Think this all
over. But there is only one way out"
The girl got to her room. and, in its
solitude, the full horror of her situation
burst upon her. Whichever way she
turned, she saw no hope. She was in a
net. from which escape was impossible
Father in heaven, "she prayed, guide
me in this extremity. OH help me, help
me, in this sore, sore strait"
The next morning. her mother came
in, and finding .ber i'll. and feverish, In
sisted upon her remaining in bed. doing
everything kind that was in her power.
There was no attempt at nversation
between them, except on unimpor.ant
subjects. Later in the day Mrs. Milton
came back, and put note in Maud's
hand, saying.
"I have written this for you to read.
because you are not well enough to talk. :"
1t was only to tell Maud that she had
seen Mr. Stuart; he did not wish or
mean to hurry her; for the present
everything was to go On ss usual Mrs.
Milton added some sentences which led
Maud to suppose that she had explained
TO him the old attachment between her
daughter and Rupert.
So. when Maud, finding that she could
not die, could not even be i'll, had to go
down stairs again, and take up life as if
nothing had happened to render it a
torture. she found herself placed in the
most difficult position possible. There
were more gaities on foot than ever. and
she was obliged to accept her part in
them. Wherever she went, Mr.. Stuart
was by her side, the kindest, gentlest
friend imaginable; and not a word