Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-01-04

utu, anu We WeTe ltlb 10 Eahe OFeT tne
kitchen fire, "well, Tilds, Eben's found
out his mistake"
Her eyes snapped like brands of fire,
and the color flew over her face, 81
guess you'll find the mistake is yours
before your much older," said she. I'm
wager though. that he doesn't feel
anxious; he knows you only want to be
coaxed."
Perhaps | did. But | must say it
nettled me to see how we'll ho bore
himself. | had read in novels how the
hero was either soured by unrequiaed
affection, or became splcndidly meIan-
choly and morose, and lost his appetite;
bat Eben didn't carry out either pro-
gramme, he behaved just as usual and
passed his plate for q second piece Of
pudding. and made jokes, and didn 7
seem TO mind.
IL guess Eoen was joking the other
day." Tilda suggested. pleasantly.
Pretty serious joke. said |, "suppos.
ing had said yes'"
Then it's supposablc case, eh2 /
thought IS much"
1t was dreadful mean 10 me TO mention
it to Tidy at all; but just wanted to
show her that | wasn't ready 10 marry
Tom, Dick and Harry because they
should see tit TO ask me to, and at the
same time wanted 10 impress upon
her that she was no prophet. Tilda was
ten years my senior, and il she knew
how TO mislead me for her advantage, |
made it easy for her. ! was like one
having eyes and seeing not. Eben
never limited love after that, however
He was always kind and obliging.
When | wen, homo he often carried me
TO the next town, ever so many miles
away, where met the stage Tor Water
edge, and we had the lonely road to
ourselves. promise you but he never
once said love, or pressed my hand un'
der the buffalo'robes, asyoung men will.
I've been told. or referred to that
afternoon 10 maple grove, which was
hardly ever out OF his mind. Il was
about two years later when | made my
annual visit to Lakeland at Thanksgiving
time. There were only three Of us 10 sit
down to dinner together. and Aunt
Lakeland said:
"Ot all things. one seems 10 need .
large family at TIE holidays. How
wish | had ten children. all ceming
home with their husbands and babies!
do wish Eben would get married and
bring wife here!"
81 can't find any one TO marry me,
said Eben. az cool as January morning.
"Poohl that's likely. The girl would
be a fool who'd refuse you. il do say
it," l think she sometimes forgot that
ho wasn't bone OF her bone and flesh OF
her flesh. You'd never have to ask her
but once!n
That depends upon the girl" said l.,
not thinking what was saying.
~ never would ask her but once" p"
said Eben.
"How unieeling" said l, as easy as q
cushion, though. heaven knows. | had u
great lump in my throat, and l should
have cried il l hadn't said something
instead.
Though we had surprise party that
night and all the neighbors tar and near
came in sleighs-i you lived within ten
miles of Lakeland you were neighbor-
and the house echoed with fun and irolic,
and we played iorfoits and danced in
The big kitchen, yet | felt heavy hearted
in spite OF myself. Lean see Eben now,
leading in Virginia Reel with Tidy
Bruce; he was q famous dancer, but that
was the last time he ever tripped on the
fantastic toe, thanks TO me!
Aunt Lakeland was getting feeble that
winter, and she begged me 10 stay till
spring, for now that sister Nell was
married. l had to do the visiting for both,
and had been nothing 10th before; but
must say | felt miserable and sore
about Eben; and it seemed to me, all at
once, that he must think stayed because
/ couldn't tear myself away from his
and that l was sorry for
what had said down in the maple
grove; and so. when mother wrote that
there was 10 be grand ball at Water
edge on Christmas. / announced my
intention OF going home. We had had q
remarkably comfortable season, though
the sleighing was tolerably good;
yet there had been no very cold
weather, and folks seemed TO think the
usture of winter had changed, and there
wouldn't be any to speak of. Aunt
Lakeland said everything to keep me.
and Eben even thawed enough to say
that three wasn't the crowd he'd thought
it, and the season would be ten miles
longer without me. But 60 l would.
81 suppose you can send me down to
Faring to meet the Wateredge stage
with Johnen / asked.
But John, the hired man, had the
81 wouldn't trust you with anybody
but Eben this season of the year. John
ro,lI ha eura N loao thu wav III he