Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-04-03

Alice Dean would vouchsaie bis presence.
She could not be brought to include her
self IN any conversation in which he took
part, and her cool withdrawal from a
group which he chanced to join would
often place their mutual friends in en-
barrassing positions. Her ialher, having
noticed this on one occasion when they
had been out together. demonstrated with
her on their return home, mildly suggest
ing that she should endeavor TO keep her
angry feelings little more out of sight.
"This young man is not to blame for his
fathers conduct, you know" he con-
cluded
"Oi course not" said Alice; but he's
his fathers son, and chip Of The old
block, dare say. No." she added, after
moments silence. "it's no use trying.
| can never be- civil 10 Marshall, with
that hideous. yellow barn staring me in
the face"
Five minutes later, Mr.. Dean, who had
taken up and was looking over his news
paper, laid il down In q hurry, as Alice
remarked. in slow, deliberate way, as
though she had at last made up her
mind -
Papa, that barn will be the ruin of my
temper. am going TO set fire to it !"
Mr. Dean glanced about the room, half
afraid that they were no, alone, before he
replied;-
MY child, that may be pleasant
joke OF yours, but it is lucky that there
was no one to hear it bu, myself"
at is no joke at all, papa. | am quite
serious. | have been thinking about it
for some time. and mean to do it,"
Mr.. Dean took off his e-glasses. and
looked attentively at his daughter up
on my word. l believe the child has some
such intention" he said to himself. To
her he said -
at is your opinion, then, that you
have a right 10 make way with your
neighbor's property whenever your
pleasure is not consulted in it, situation ?"
1t is my opinion. said A ice, with the
confident logic of eighteen years. that
my neighbor has no right 10 set up an
abominable nuisance under my very nose.
And if he can't be made to remove it, |
think | should be justified in getting rid
OF it in the easiest way possible"
And you think also, upon mature
consideration. )" said Mr.. Dean. "that you
would prefer the view OF four walls in
The State Prison, for the next ten or fl.
teen years. to that Of your neighbor's
barn ?"
"Is that the punishment for arson ?"
at is"
"Oh. but | should not be caught. l
have several plans, any OF which is quite
sale"
"Bnt unfortunately, YOU have witness
Of your intentions" said NJ. Dean. quite
seriously.
mo one but you: and. of course, you
wouldn't testify against me"
"Iudeed l should. returned Mr.. Dean,
With the air OF a stern, Impartial Judge.
"Oh, papa. won't believe il! !" and
AI;,. ,,,l. q. y..., ,,nn,, H., Fa,b.r'c Epaa
Yes" said the inexorable father. Il
mean it, 1t you burn up Mr.. Marshal's
barn, | shall tell all know about the
matter"
Aud send me to prison ?"
ITO be sure. would be sorry. OF
course, as it would deprive me of val
liable housekeeper. Nevertheless, |
should feel bound to 90 it," And Mr.
Dean, looking into the large blue eyes
which gszed at him with such a serious
expression. seemed halt in earnest.
Come. come. Alice he exclaimed,
at length. "it is high tims for Us 10 put II
stop 10 such talk as this and. what is
more, you must promise me not to har-
Dor such dangerous notions in that busy
brain Of yours"
IL can't promise. Il is impossible to
control ones thoughts. you krow," re-
turned Alice, with shake OF the head
that was comically serious.
VERY well. said Mr.. Dean; "then |
must put you in a straight jacket. and
keep you where you will be in no danger
of doing mischief"
Here the pretty incendiary burst into
her usual merry laugh. kissed her father,
bade him good night, and went to her
own room. coming back to say
IL won't burn the barn tonight, papa,
so you can rest in peace"
1t was late in March. and the day had
been very warm; one Of those sultry
days which sometimes comes unexpect-
edly, and, taking US unawares. half pros
,rate US with their sudden heat. Clouds
had been threatening all the evening,
great masses which seemed to gather
blackness as they rolled westward, and al
midnight low growls of thunder began
TO break the stiffness. and the big drops
of rain to patter noiselessly against the
window-pane.
Alice awoke. and lay watching the
vivid flashes which now and then lighted
up her room, and lett it in blacker dark