Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-11-27

Oh, if had only one silk dress to wear
tonight"
you mean 10 accept it, them You
know what that will imply, Sarah-such
a costly gilt as that?"
That ! must say yes when Gilbert
Lee comes this afternoon. / know! !
will say yes am tired OF poverty
and mean to have some OF the delights
wealth will bring
l. lla said no more. She was a woman
Of loving, tender disposition, iull OF gem
tic grace, and had filled mothers place
to Sarah since her sister was left orphaned.
/ But she had lacked energy and resolu-
tion, and long before had yielded the iir-t
| plane TO her impusiyc. active little sister.
la her heart she feared sprely Tor SArah's
happiness, but she had no arguments
ready, 30 words 10 combat the young
GIRLS decision. she lett Sarah 10 finish
trimm ing her white muslin, admire her
| gilt, and busted about the house until she
saw Gilbert Lee coming up lbe garden
walk.
Tnen she went into the sitling-room,
where Sarah was folding her dress, aud
drawing her little sister into a close ou-
brace, she whispered, "Be sure Of your
own heart. Sarah
Sure OF her own heart.
Sarah ran lightly to her own room to
smooth her hair aud slip on another
dress. In her hand was the volyet-iinCd
c4sAet, containing the diamond bracelet.
She put it upon the table, and from the
vase near them rose the perfume OF the
bouquet OF flowers. IL filled the room
with Acknowledgements, and Sarah bent
over the vase, and nestled her check
L against The tender, beautiful blossoms.
"Dsar Charley" she whispered. He
knows love flowers. How thoughtful
he is, and how be loves me !"
She drew herself erect with deep,
gasping sigh. Ii flashed over her ike
play oil lightning, that Charley must be-
come nothing to her when she wore Gil
bert Lees diamonds. Lie without Char
ley How odd il seemed For thlee
years Charley had been 10 her like Il big
brother, always kind, always loving, until
within few months she realized that
Charley was not her brother. after all,
bu; aspired to a closer place in her heart.
Aud when this truth broke upon her an
other followed closely-that Gilbert Lee,
who had made fortune in railway spucu-
lalon, was also wooing her.
Tacy were suitors of whose attentions
aay girl might be proud young, hand
some, foil OF natures best gifts OF heart
and intellect. The young millionaire
was devoted and hopeful, but Sarah
knew that he had never touched the spot
IN her heart where Charley had fOuad q
place three years ago.
TAo flowers, wrapping her in sweet IN
cense, were telling Sarah all the secrets
OF ner heart, when Lola tapped at the
door.
"Mr Lee is waiting, Sarah
Never had Sarah, in the bloom of her
youthful beauty, looked so digniGed and
womanlY as she did when she entered
the little parlor where Gilbert Lee await
ed her. Never had he so longed to take
her to his heart and home as he did when
she answered his suit with gentle firm-
ness that was new beauty in her mar
ner.
Tnro wing aside all eoquelry, she gave
him his refusal with truthful expression
in her blue eyes, as her low voice said,
Il should wrong you, Gilbert, and be
false to my own heart, il | married you
"You do not love me?'
Not as your wife should love You"
Then, seeing his look OF pain and mol
tication, she added. braVely, Had |
! KNOWN , On SOOuclt NY ahS'oi HA'='-
have been different; but before we met,
I had given away all my love-"
Thank you Tor telling me that" he
answered, earnestly. IL shall respect
your con tidence."
He was gone before Sarah remembered
the bracelet.
II must send it," she told Lola, when
her sister came to her again. Then
looking into the gentle, sweet face, she
whispered, Il think | was true to my
own heart, Lola"
Not long after, whte-robed little tis
ure, in the old muslin, frilled and tluted
until it WAS a marvel OF crisp, SNOWY
prettiness, came huttering into the parlor
for the finishing touches OF Lola's doit
fingers. Upon the bosom OF the white
dress was cluster OF Charley's flowers,
and there were more twisted in the nut
brown cufls.
Charley glanced at them as he came
in; but he looked grave and preoccnpied.
Never, in three years of eourting, had be
approached Sarah with such solemn air.
Lola, guessing what was coming, was
stealing away, but Charley put his hand
| ON her arm