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

lifting his hat 10 show his bonny brown
curls). sauntered away in the opposite
directi n.
We hadn't gone more than n Tile whom
Cynthia said 10 me, in hoarse whisper,
the first words she had spoken since
we started-"The engagement is with
her. I'm sure OF it, and I'm going back.
can stand this no longer"
Her face frightened me--thosc very
dark people, to speak plainly, Go look
perfectly devilisl when they're mad and
| called out to Mark. "picase stop and
le. US get out, Mark Cynthia is not
we'll"
Mark, raising his eyebrows. was on
tho point OF making some uncompii-
mentary remark, when | pinched his
arm-I'd made up my mind by this time
about the one liked best, you know
and with a GESTURE bade him be silent.
Like the dear good fellow he was. he
obeyed instantly, reined in The ponies,
sprang to the ground. helped us dis
mount, and then drove oil without
word.
Queen walked on silently and rapidly
toward the house. followed her; and
when we reached the garden gate. the
first sound that greeted our ears was
merry laugh-Roy's laugh.
The grape arbor was Just inside the
gate. A splendid old apple-tree grew
beside il, and beneath the tree was
rustic seat. On this seat Cynthia sank,
her lips firmly set ard her hands clasped
tightly together and pressed upon her
heart. Roy's voice. from the arbor'
came to US distinctly. "They are gone
to the bay. my darling and we shall have
whole happy hour together. Come,
lay your sweet head on my breast and
give me n kiss, and then III get you that
highest bunch of grapes; being The
highcs,. i, is sure to bc the sweetest"
Something was murmurod in reply.
mo, no. my lammie, she's not the
sweetest. The rule don't hold IN that
case
Another murmur.
Wrong. my pretty one No. 1t
isn't. Bless you dear hear, there never
was any positive engagement between
u. was taken at first with her line
black eyes and her queenly ways. But
queens lose their q1eenliness when lhey
ny in rage as she did last night
Heavens, what n fury she looked! l
never really loved her, nor she me. for
that matter. 1t was only a romantic
fancy on the part OF Us both, nothing
more. But now love with all my heart
aud soul. More grapes deary p
Another murmur.
Then laugh from RoY-whata u clear
musical laugh the young wretch had
"Why, Belle
But at this moment Queen, unable to
contain herself longer, with passionate
exclamation started to her feet
The lovers fed. We could hear them
scampering up the maple-shaded path
crushing the fallen leaves as they went.
"Did you hear him, Mary?' said Gym
thia. clulching my arm so roughly
screamed out in pain. "Did you hear
him-the liar and traitor? And pray
what do you think OF her now? ?' For
had always taken Bellies part; said she
was full of mischief; bold. perhaps. but
with the boldness OF innocence; thought
less, but not wicked; careless, but not
false.
hadn't word 10 say.
Come up to the house with me- con-
tinued Cynthia, in deep, suppressed
tones-she always spoke like a tragedy
queen when she was angry, never dc
scending, or, more properly, ascending
to vulgar shouting and screaming. 81
will tax them with perlidy to their iaces'
and you shall bear witness"
didn't much like bearing witness, lOr
bless US and save us. Id run five miles any
day to keep out OF quarrel; but this
time couldn't help myself, and, besides
was getting indignant too, and to THINK
Roy had behaved shamefully. and Belle
still worse.
Into The paIlor strode . leen CYNTHIA
almost dragging me with her; and 1t
was like war suddenly bursting in on un-
suspecting peace.
There sat Roy, drumming on The piano
aud singing softly,
"And the birds sang of you, love,
Saving, sweet, sweet, SWEET"
Golden Belle, with one hand on his
shoulder, was beating time in ridicu-
lous manner with the other; and Small
Hctty, with the cat purring in her lap
looked at them with faint smile and
calm, innocent eyes.
"Roy! Belle !" cried Cynthia, "look at
me- They both turned in answer TO
her call, and then. with the Inconsistency
of woman, she said. Indignantly. "How
dare you look at me3 False lover and
false friend. YOU can deceive me no long
er. know you for what you are-iiars
and traitors !"