Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-04-03

your generosity makes me feel more palm
fully than ever that all claim TO il has
been forfeited. 1 can only assure you
that even you yourself cannot have re-
GREETED the cause of this trouble more
than have DONE"
81 believe you ~ said Mr.. Dean cor
daily, much affected by this impulsive
expression of feeling. He extended'his
hand. which Marshall received grateful
ly, while Alice, who had melted at the
first signal of distress, wished from the
bottom OF her heart that she had treated
the young man with more consideration.
Her blue eyes were swimming when he
said to her, Pray let me relieve you Miss
Dean. fear you have tired yourself
already"
Weeks had passed before j ohm Marshall
became fully conscious of his situation.
Fever set in, aud be grew delirious; and
when al las. the dslirium passed away.
he tel into q s,upor, which seemed almost
more hC peless than his former state. He
had been hing for a long time with
scarcely sign OF life about him, except
the feeble fluttering of his pulse. when
his son, who had watched over him night
and day, saw him slowly open his eyes.
and gaze, with look Of faint wonder
oh I, ho Ia kn, Il.
to speak but when days had elapsed. and
he gained sufficient strength. he asked no
questions. The barn or rather its skele-
ton, which remained as it had been lett
on the day OF the accident, was 10 plain
sight from the window near bis bed and
he would lie. hour after hour, gazing at
it, silently closing his eyes at any attempt
at conversation, and scarcely giving an
answer to the few questions which were
put TO him.
Young Marshall was sitting one day.
sadly watching his father, and wonder
ing what were the thoughts over which
he seemed brooding. when the sick man
turned slowly in his bed, and. in quiet
way, as though it we're no uncommon
req iest that he was about 10 make. said
10 his son -
John, | should like TO have you see
that everything belonging TO that barn
over the way is carried of and the place
Cleared up. DO it as soon as possible,
will you -
Certainly, father, if you wish it," his
son replied. not knowing whether to be
most astonished or rei)iced
Perhaps you can attend to it now"
sAil Mr.. Marshall. II do not need sou.
think | shall 20 to sleep" And he
closed his eyes as il he wished nothing
more 10 be said.
Young Marshall was not slow in exc
eating his fathers wishes, and two days
had not passed before all traces Of the
barn had disappeared. A few days more
and Mr.. Marshall signifed his intention
vi going home. FIRMLY resisting all per-
suasions TO the contrary.
II shall leave here to-day" he said to
bis son. "And when am all ready to
go. John, should like 10 see Mr.. Dean
and his daughter. Ask them to meet me
on the balcony"
So, leaning upon his son, weak.
broken-down man, he tottered across the
Threshold over which he had been car.
lied two months before. Sinking into an
armchair. which Mr.. Dean made ready
Tor him, while Alice softly arranged the
pillows about him, he said, in voice
shaken with weakness and emotion:
Richard Dean, | never thought |
should have TO thank you for anything ;
but I've been brought to it. You and |
were never the best of friends, and q
year ago | swore 10 do you harm as
long as | lived Bot the Almighty set
His face against me. Vengeance is
mine; | will repav, saith the Lord And
He has kept His word. He has repaid
me for all have done. This thing has
made an old man of me, and there's
no telling now, how long l shall last. |
want to make my peace with you, Rich
ard, and your family and to live as friends
for the rest OF my days. if you can let
bygones be bygones."
with all my heart! !" said Mr.. Dean,
grasping in both bis own the thin white
hand, held out to him. I'VE shall have
you q hearty old man yet, and we shall
begin anew; and from this day hence
forth Marshall and Dean shall dwell tc-
gether in unity"
That's just what Alice has promised
me-" said young Marshall, twining his
arm about the blue-eyed girl al his side.
all tears and smiles, while the two fathers
gazed-one with establishment, which
soon changed to gladness, and the other
with a satisfied look in his eyes. which
had long seen what was going on be-
tween the young people.
Meanwhile the sun went down upon a
group the like of which was never seen
in Silverton.
The lovers have long been happily
married, aud on orchard OF apple trees is
now growing where once stood MAR