Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-09-19


him She went 10 church, where she W as
among the most devout OF the worship.
pers
Yes, she was certainly fond OF the
company OF MIR. Huntley, and it is not
10 be wondered at that he should become
tond OF her. She was pretty. she was
witty, she was intelligent. and she had
strong common sense and Furthermore,
she was ycung and buoyant. What
more could he ask IN a wife? If he
thought OF dover, her conversation of
herself bad convinced him that her father
was wealthy.
Oae evening Aaron Hlntley came
from the parlor, where he bad been
playing chess, radiant. Ho had proposed
and been accepted. lie managed to
keep the sweet, blessed secret for TWEEN
ty-iour hours. and then he let it out to
the landlord, and was congratulated
The s,orc-keeper was happy. lie walked
rs one on air. He was smiling and gra-
cious 10 his customers and even gener-
Gus.
'Ot course whispered Clara. with
her head on Mr.. Huntley's shoulder."w
cannot be married until my father comes
| have written 10 him, and told him all"
Yes-he knew she had written. for on
that very day he had mailed the letter.
al dressed 10 "COL. CHARLES \. DUBoIs,
Philadelphia. Pa"
And pursued Clara. with emotion,
Il Snow he will like you. lie has been
kind and indulgent papa to me-"
Il hope he will like ne, darling"
"Oh, know he will. You will b.
content to wait ill he comes ~
Yes, though it is happiness deferred
"Ab! Aaron. DO YOU think you will
always love me as now ?"
Always, darlingl' And he pressed
her 10 his bosom in the eNuberance OF
his affection.
Alter this Miss DIbcis was much at
the store. ant. in her playful happy
way. sue assisted in the postcilice. which
was square room pAriilioned of, in one
corner OF the blil1ing.
And so the days went on and Aaron
Huptley was certainly the happi9st man
in The village. Bat one morning thur
der clsp fell upon bim. lie went to his
store. and found the rear door sjAr. lie
went to his safe and found that it had
been opened. aud the money taken-the
savings OF years
In anticipation OF mis- marriage, Mr..
HunLey had thought OF purchasing
house. and had drawn live thousand do
lars from the bank in q neighboring
town for thlt purposa. Then he had
three thousand dollars laid aside for the
purchase OF goods Tor the tall trade; and
IN addition 10 this there had been about
two thousand doilals o; government
money in his keeping l; WAS just At
the close OF postal quarter, and the
post. masters of several adjacent villages,
having no safes oi their Own, had en-
trusted their returus 10 his hands. 80
tEAl full ten thousand dollars al been
stolen from the safe.
For time Hantley was Ike one dis
tracted. but he had sense enough TO
make his loss known ~ once TO The
do outy sheriff. and the officer, with q
possa was soon on the search. 1t had
been IN adroit robbery. and IN ihe out
set the searchers had no possible clue
Roth tb,. lock Of th1 door aud Tho !oca Of
the sale L7usl have been picked by skill
lul hands. 'or neither oil them was Injured
10 the least.
Miss DUBOIS was early at the store
and when she hesrd IF her lovers loss
,he endeay ored TO console hun.
Don't worry. dearest, she said
When my father comes en- help you
If this loss cripples you. it shau only oe
tor a time"
but, Clara, would not have 1t ap-
pear that married you for your"
Naughty man. hush! viii yon not
let me love you little ?"
What could he say more =?
Evening came. but not a trace of the
burglar. The sheriff had hit two or
three possible trsils. but they had led to
no success. On the morrow he would
set forth again. hoping that. meantime
he might receive favorable answer 10
some OF the numerous te'egrams ne had
sent Off
When the stage arrived that evening
an old gentleman. with white hair and
beard, and wearing an enormous pair ol
green spectacles. was helped OUT an
leapisg heavily upon his :stout oaken
staff, hobbled into the hail He signed
bis name upon the register, in tremu-
lous. struggling hand: "DR. sErH Bum
PUs, n. Y"
When the tea-bell sounded. he stood
in the hall and watched while the guests
entered The supper room. The landlord
came 10 wait upon him in.
Landlord, who is that young iadY
who Just went with your store-keeper'
That is Miss Dubois"
Il thought 50. Egsd. her father and
we're old friends. and 1 have petted bel