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

| huu fou say tunt Il ioin ioNSS NIX
! You are sure ol i?"
IL an sure. Go and ask herr" and
Bell went slowly out; but it. was some
time before Mr.. Gascoigne obeyed her.
He il tho oldest lover in the world.
confessed Flora. later. Nothing spoony
or gushing about him. | suppose ii
wouldn't be dignilied for a clergyman.
Why, he only kissed me twice, if you'll
believe il. and looked as solemn as an
owl, and said he hoped he should make
me happy. Goodness! I'm happy a.
ready, and told him so. DO you know
Bell. | never had an out-and-out offer
before, though I'm twenty-seven.'
Miss Raymond offered thanks when
Mr.. Gascoigne took his vacation TO the
White Hills. and Flora went home 10 ac-
qaaint her friends with her new pros
poets, and to join her lover with her
mother, at the Mountain House, later.
Bells Summers work was ended I;
there was nothing Tor her to do but to
sit down and count the cost OF match
making. 10 the meantime, Flora wrote
her friend long confidential letters from
the mountains.
Such larks! We do nothing bat enjoy
ourselves Who do you think We found
here hut his high-and-mighIness, the
heir of Plue Hill, Mr. Chester Calender,
of Hsphszard. And such swell /! lie
danced with me five times at the hop
last highland didn't the other women
look daggers 0ae woman dared TO say
it's because I'm engaged, and it's so safe
flirting with engaged girls-all the fun
and none OF the danger. Let them rave!
If weren't cngaged-who knows?-I
might fancy living al Pine Hill, with q
retinue OF servants, driving in my car
riage and rafting in my silks. | didn't
tel you, did ], that the stocks in which
my money is invested have deciiued
most shamelully? So Mr., Discount, my
business man, writes me. But there's
dear old Clarence do you know he ism t
particle jaa,ousm While later date
ran, MIR. Calender and are Just in from
aclimb up the mountain with a small
party. Clarence went with some gentle
men last week camping out, and didn't
care 10 repeat history. We got sep
arated from the others. Mr.. Calender
and |, and lost our way; and We should
have been there now, Tor all | know. IT
Clarence aud man hadn't come TO our
rescue with lanterns and torches. Mr.
Calender is taking my picture, in
crsyon-l sometimes really believe he is
sweet on me. IN spite OF Clarence. Mr..
Callender's eyes are blue and small, and
his mustache is-well. lemon-colored.
maybe; but his figure and manners are
perfectly stunning. He always makes
you feel as il yOH were the one person oil
all The world whom he delighted to hon
or
And after that, Bell heard no more,
and fortnight later Mr.. Gascoigne was
at home again. and settling 10 his parish
duties. lie found Bell at twilight, the
day after his return. with her Sleepy
Hollow chair wheeled before the window,
watching the stats come out in the eve
ming sky, and listening to the crickets
sing-song Star eazing?' he asked,
resting an elbow on the cushioned back
of her seat. "A penny for your thought.
Il didn't hear you come in. Mr.. Gas
coigpe.' she said. i am thinking about
about Fora! How did you leave hep"
Flora? Haven't you hesrd?'
NV last letter is month Old
And nobody has told you about her?'
Who could tell me about her as we'll
as YOURSELF
Mr.. Gascoigne laughed. We'll. Mr..
Calender. perhaps
'Mr. Calender! What are you taking
about, Mr.. Gascoigne?'
Flora and Mr.. Calender
What OF them?'
They are married-that's ALL
married. Flora married to Mr.. Cal
lender. Is it uut? Oh, Mr.. Gascoigne!
How could she be so wicked? Oh, oh.
OH and she staggered 10 her ieet and
held ont both arms, not knowing what
she did.
Wicked taking the proffered hands
and holding them trmly-I don't know
about that. 1t isn't wicked to marry the
man you love best, even at the risk OF
breaking anothel's heart. is il? And then
my heart is in excellent condition. | as
sure you, Flora hasn't been able 10 effect
a flaw. IL was all a mistake you know,
from the first To the last-Fiora knows it
now, herself. Ny dear Miss Bell. you
rather overdd the match masking bust.
ness, did you not2 And II was weak
and Quixotic, | giant you; it was un-
pardonable, | admit, now that l look
back upon it, But if the girl really loved
me il had unwilingly won her heart /;
if you mad led me to believe, thanks TO
M own stupidity. that had been such
q blockhead as 10 confess my love for her
to you-why, it was only right that l