Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-08-07

room by day, after broken nights. Per
haps it was tho effect of over-taxot
nerves and depressed spirits. or perbap
Miss Raymond had misunderstood he
interest in Mr.. Gascoigne. but as she lei
her patient DOING one night, and pauset
a moment, leaning out The ball window
to commune with tho evening star, ant
the last tender effulgence OF sunset, the
sight of Flora and Mr.. GaScoigne peltipg
each other with roses in the garden be.
low smote her with sense of something
alien and cruel. Her absence did moi
affect their enjoyment; they had forgot
ten her in the delight of being together
and for the first time selfish sorrow
stirred in her heart and filled her eyes
with sudden tears. did she grudge
them their happiness ?" she asked herself
WAS not success enough for her p
When Flora had gone to her room that
night Bell knocked at the door and went
| in.
Haven't you anything to tell me p
she asked. HAS moth ing happened ?"
"Wbat should happen, you dear old
sleepy owl. you? Oh. Yes. broke our
India china bowl, sin confessed is
half redressed We meet but We miss
You; we linger 10 cAress you-I do at
least. By-ihe-way. I'm afraid the Rev
ereud Clarence is getting horribly bored
ith me-"
"Whpt impossible nonsense. Floral
Was love teaching Flora to prsvaricAle ?
The following night as Bell was goiug .
softly down TO the kitchen Tor mustard,
the door of Mr.. Gascoigue's study open
ed. and the draught blew out her candle
US he closed il and came forward.
You keep late vigils, Mr.. Gascoigne.
she .xcleimed. Il. has just struck
twelve
The truth is, be explained, II had
gotten behindhand with my sermon. Il
have been dissipating too much, am
afraid. with Your lively friend"
And OF what DO you suppose Flora is
afraid? That you are getting bored
with her :"
Bored with Flors?" he repeated.
smiling broadly. Can't you immagino
who never bores me ?'
is it a riddle ?" laughed Bell. with a
sob in her throat. Il suppose might
guess with a grost fort OF imaginationl'
Why did he torture her with his conf
dences?
Il should think you might, he pur-
sued, still smiling. bnt not SO confident
ly. during your absence at Mrs. Ray
mond's bedside, have become confirmed
in sentiment whose existence | had
only suspected before. Is there any
hope for me, wonder p
"Any hope?" she answered conlusedly
ANY hope? how can tell you?"
Don't you know he asked mourn
fully. his great dark eyes shining appeal
ingly in the dim light Couldn't you
lind out. dear Miss Bel? Couldn't you
give me morsol of encouragemeniP'
IL could will find out.-ii you wish.
would give it now-this minute-you
know l would. don't you-if could-if
darcd-il | were certsin-"
Did he doubt that Flora loved him?
BLESS you!" he said fervently. at is
so much better than despair dealt at one
blow. Then he lighted her candle from
his own. and left her, with blank dismay
pictured upon her face. There was no
question but her match aking had sue
ceeded. and she herself was in love
with Clarence CaScoignt! Another wo-
man might have played false at this IN
ected crisis, and deemed that all was
lair in love. but Bell Ray nond WAS OF
liner clay.
You dear old gc-between. cried
Flora, when Bell made the revelation.
TIE Bishop Valentine himself couldn't
hold & candle to you. | 's too good to
he true. Do love hin? Don't /? Goa
tirmod in a sentiment whose existence he
only suspected before Mrs. R+ymond's
illness, is 1t? Well, | must confess |
hardly expected such good fortune. lie
is 50 reserved. | suppose-and-and-.
Why, he has never so much rs kissed my
hand, or pressed it, though he has had
plenty Of opportunity. Well. you can
go tell him that the adage, Faint heart
never won lair lady is disproved. I'll
wait here"
Somebody knocked family q. Mr.
Gascoigne's study door. Come in," he
said. mistaking it lcr the maid.
Flora is waiting for you in The par
lor." began Bell.
Waiting for mt' Floru?" repeated
Mr. Gascoigne.
Yes, have told her she is waiting
to confirm your hope, Mr.. Gascoigne,
She bids me say that the adage, Faint
heart never Won fair lady is disproved
When YOU intimsted TO me the other
night that you loved her. | suspected
that it was not in vain, but could moi
be certain, you know. Now knoI0 she
loves you with all her heart. am sure
of il Don't let me keep Won an instant