Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-05-01


/ was singing his most pathetic songs
and Tor the life of him. Tor he was just as
full of fun as she was, and always ready
| TO tumble from tho sublime 10 the ridicu-
/ lous, Roy couldn't help laughing at her
antics, and finally yielding entirely to
her mischievous Influence. Then Tho two
would romp and talk onsense-dreadful
nonsense--by the hour, to the great and
undisguised contempt OF their sovereign
lady.
Aud at the last they began to go black
berryng together Cynthia never went
biackberrying; the lhorns scratched her
hands and tore her dresses. and grabbing
Cynthia never went Grabbing; she was
afraid of crabs), and mushroom gather
ing Cynthia never gathered mushrooms.
f,r she hated 10 stoOp. ana she feared to
spoil her dainty slippers, mushrooms de-
lighting in unplcasantly damp placcs).
Things went on in this way for about a
mouth, Qleen CInthia's brow growing
darker and darker, though Roy i'll bmet
at her feet when he wasn't ilirling with
Belle; Belle play ing the coquetIe with
everybody more or lcss-RIY more, the
other less; making up my mind whether
il was Mark or WiIi liked best; and
Small lIetty sitting in her lavotle corner
quietly watching US all with big. serious,
baby y-wise eyes--when one evening
Queens patience. which must confess
had been sorely taxed. gave out. Belle
had been rambling about the whole alter
noon with Roy, searching for terms and
wild il)werS Cynthia didn't care Tor
ferns and wild flowers and. completely
tired out, had fallen asleep in tho great
comfortable armchair into which she
sank the moment she entered the room.
Roy, coming in few moments after
stopped in admiration before her. And
she did make pretty picture; her dark
head agains. the crimson cloth, her rcd
lips slightly parted, her black hair I'M
coded and falling about her shoulders,
the basket OF ferns by her side, and the
Wild flowers graspod in her hand.
~ chance to win pair OF gloves,
Ljsh,harte." said Mark Townlcy, who
was teaching me how to play chess.
by Joye I'll win them. too said
Roy; and bending. hc kissed Belle tulI
upon the lips.
Cynthia, with lightning llAshing from
her eyes, arose and left the room, and We
all waited in silence a moment. Us though
we expected q dreadful thundey-clap.
The storm came later in the evening.
however, when the other guests had taken
their departure. and Roy, hat in hand,
was about 10 take his. Golden Belle and
Small Hctly had. very discreetly, goneto
bed nm hour before ! stepped from one
window to the porch as Cynthia entered
by the olhcr-Rpy stood in the door-in-
tended to escape that way Oor hate
being third in quarrel rs much as l
do being third at love interview,
when Cynthia called me back, and so l
was obliged TO remain and hear it all
Queen gave full rein 10 her temper, aud
overw helmed her lover with accusations
and rcprOaches. Bat it struck me that
her passion was more the ouLpouring OF
jealousy and pique than wounded love.
As for Roy, his ca!mness astonishod
me; he seemed to be weary. not indig-
nanl. and | could discover no signs OF
grief or repeutancc in his face. Only
once did he reply to Cynthia, and that
was when, in the same deep, concentrated
tones she had preserved from the first
she began to pour forth torrent OF abuse
against Belle. Golden Belle !" she said,
sclrnfally. "Brazen Belle more like
Shameless llirl Arllul-"
Stop, stop, Cynthia; you are going
too far" he said, quietly, but there was
an ominous light in his hazel eyes.
Belle is perfectly innocent; you are &C.
cusing her uniustly.'
And you-you are not changed at all +;
you are tho same that you were month
ago? You too are perfectly Innocent"
she went on. lie made no reply.
And you haven't been making love 10
Belle Gould? ?"
"On my word and honor. | haven't.
Goodnight"
~ don't believe i'll don't believe it ~
she cried, turning to me as he lett the
room; but | could see she was inclined
10 believe it, strong US appearances were
against him, for Roy had never told her
II downright falsehood yet-at least she
had never found him out in one.
The next day Roy came as usual. but
he greeted his irate lady love as "Cyn-
thia," not "My Queen" and walked
directly over to where Belle sat IN The
bay-window, with somo triiling work in
her hand.
81 want my gloves. said he. standing
before her. She looked up with blush.
"I'll knit you pair of mittens," she
retorted. "And now," rising, "let me
pass. No frivolity for me to-day. !
must 90 to my room, lock the door, and
} write letters. Don't you pity me ?"