Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-04-10


looking down with an expression OF
gravity that was almost gloom. bnt when
near them quickly, as if spoken 10, lifted
his eyes and looked his wife IN the lace.
1t was like cymbal catching the sun.
After all. she had not missed her delight.
1t was some minutes before the gentle
man could be made aware that he had
sister-in-!aw TO welcome as well as a wife,
and the knowledge came Just in time 10
prevent the asking OF questions which
would have been embarrassing at that
moment.
Then. when the first compliments were
over, and the questions again became im-
mnent, Mrs. Atherton had an inspiration.
IL have whim which you two people
will be so good as to indulge me in" she
said. "Anne and left our luggage at
the station, thinking 10 walk home, but
changed our minds. Now. wish you to
show your gallantry, Mr.. Francis, by
permitting me to 60 myself to the station
while you remain here. | am an old
traveller. and can speak sort of Italian.
In ten minutes | will be at the corner
there with carriage to take you up"
She gave them no time Tor objections,
but walked rapidly away. "Ali's well
that ends well" she muttered. "He's
good fellow. and as fond OF Anne as
need be. was afraid this morning. but
Iii risk them now"
You are come just in time, Anne. her
husband said, "for | made up my mind
this morning to start for England to-
mouog. | had begun TO think you would
never come back OF yourself"
Sae had resumed her seat, and he stood
before her to sac her better-the sweet
face. The uplook swift and bright. the
eloquent. wordless replies, the changeful
expression.
This morning?" she echoed.
Yes. This morning | took sudden
disgust OF liie and of ms self. and resolved
to be Of. sat on the very bench where
you sit. Ii | had bu. known you were
So near !"
Did you drop this rose ?" she asked,
pushing tho poor withered thing out with
her foot.
Il threw it there" he replied almost
sharply--"that or another. And you
wouldn't believe. dear, who gave i; to
me-
Sac looked up earnestly in his face Il
saw her give it 10 you, Arthur. We
came this NOR ming. and | was very near
you when that woman cau.e TO sit by you
When | saw you put tho rose in Jour
butlonhole felt so bad that went off to
hotel and stayed all day. | imagined
you were being very well amused with
out me. If you had come, dear, and
found me taking Use and smile from
man you disapproved OF. wouldn't you
have lei, aggrieved? Carrie said it was
nothing. and she has scolded me, but you
know" She stopped, for her voice was
too tremulouS to 60 oD. and. besides. all
WAS said.
There was not sign OF confusion in
face. only sstonshment, pain, and per-
haps touch OF indignation. He seated
himself by her and took her hand. is
tha, all the confidence my wife has in
me ?' he asked. al don't wonder you
were displeased-you had reason and a
right to be-but if you had come directly
to me, it would have been better. Anne,
you have seen, actually, the only fault OF
which | have been guilty, and you went
just minute too soon TO see me atone for
it. Let me tell you all. Perhaps may
nave answered her salutations when we
met on the stairs or in the street witt
more politeness than before. | don't
know why, ueless for that reason, she
4
has come out here several mornings,
knowing that always come. Once or
twice We met with word, but lodged
her, aud came later yesterday morning
and to-day in order TO get rid OF her.
But to-day was in q different mood
when | saw her, and for few minutes
felt like seeing how far she would 90 un-
assisted. /. was wrong in ME. but it was
only for minute; aud when, after was
tool enough 10 put the rose in my cost,
she said. I'm afraid your vile wouldn't
like TO SEQ you wear that | answered
her You are quite right and flung it
away before her face. She got up and
left mo in fury at that: she had not ex-
pected such reply. Now, my dear, |
have told you verything. and God knows
/ am sorry that my folly has cost you so
dear"
What true woman, on seeing husband
or lover humbled before her, does not
immediately feel that in some unaccount-
able way she is the only one to blame,
and that he is. as they say in Italy, like
IL white cloth in the sun? We are sorry
10 record that after her logical argument
of the morning Mrs. Francis ended by
begging her husbands pardon in the
afternoon 81 should have known that
your only way to put stop to such an.
noy ing attentions was to let them 60 far