Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-01-22


companion. Your heart was his; and
yet-fsrewell !"
This passionate. incoherent letter | di-
rected to her, then called my valet.
pierre. pack some trunks. We will
go down to Black Rocks for the summer" :"
The man stared.
Pardon. monsieur, it is very dull
down there. No cunning, no fishing,
and no Young ladiesl"
"And consequently, no waiting maids
for you to ogle!" l answered. with
dreary attempt at ease and lightness Of
spirits.
But the fellow still looked at me.
monsieur looks very i'll. | will bid
the doctor call on you. and ifhe consents,
We will 90 to that horrid place to-
morrow"
Nonsense shall be we'll enough
after bath and some breakfast. Don't
be impertinent, Pierre. We start on the
10 O'Clock train"
Black Rocks was not frequented by
fashionable society; this was my only
reason for choosing it. The Neptune
House, where took up my abode, was
a large, rambling. old-fashioned inn, not
in the least 10 the world like u modern
seaside hotel.
My valet. Of course, arranged all the
conveniences Of my life, consequently
did not know the dark-skinned old wo.
man who. one day, presented herself at
the door OF my apartment, with long,
covered basket upon her arm. My man
was dusiing a coat upon the back piazza.
There is some one at the door, Pierre"
| said TO him, "a sat at the window,
with book which was not reading.
1t is the washerwomsn. She is
very nice laun dress, monsieur"
Yes" l said indifTerently. "Pay
her."
He received the curiously covered bas-
ket, settled the bill, and the woman de-
parted.
Pierre prepared TO arrange my linen
by opening bureau drawer. turned
page OF my book as he withdrew the
white cloth from the basket, when my at
ten,ion was again arrested by his cx-
olamstion -
Mon dieu' Laces, ruffles."
"What is the matter, Pierre ?"
These are ladies' things. Here is a
wrapper with fluted ruflles, white skirts.
and-ha, ha a!-ombroidered stockings.
Mees Betsey, Mees Beisey. come back ~
lie dropped the basket on the floor.
and rushed after the old woman. /
glanced within, and saw mass OF snowy
lace and embroideries. beautiful as a
bed OF lilies. The clothing was too
dainty and expensive to belong to any
but lady, and | wondered idly who tho
owner might be.
In one corner was a pile of hosiery.
The stockings were not all white-one
pair was OF cream color. with q silk en-
broidery OF buds and vines; and while |
WAS carlessly considering how and
where such exquisite needlework was
done, the thought flashed across me that
| had seen that very pattern OF silken
rosebuds on Stephenie ST. jeans foot.
My hand trembled, dropped the
book, as Pierre came rushing back with
the painting old woman.
Yes, have left the wrong basket.
The other, outside. is yours. sir. Hope
you'll excuse me. I'm getting old and
forgettul."
Stay" ! said breathlessly. "Whom
are the lady's things iorP"
"For the young lady down stairs, who
came last week, sir-Miss St. Jean. I'll
take them away directly"
Unheeding the wondering eyes OF the
two. l snatohed up handkerchief on
which l saw name. Yes, it was
"Stephenie!"
grew faint. and turned away TO hide
my emotion. My hand shook. as l
snatched up my hat and rushed out OF
doors.
The sun was setting across the water.
The waves danced blood-red in its light.
The air had grown cool, and pair of
singing shore birds flew before me as l
sought favorite seat of mine, retired
among the rocks.
had not composed my mind, when
there was a soft rustic of silk, and a soft
arm was laid on my arm.
"Ferrest!"
"Stephenie !"
"You know l am here. now, and SO l
have come to speak to'you."
She sat down close beside me, facing
me, her arm across my knee, her clear
eyes steadily meeting mine; and, before
she spoke word, / took that fair hand
tenderly, feeling that she was to be re-
stored TO me.
Forrest, | have been here week,
wishing to see you, yet repelled by your
determined seclusion. II the old woman
called aunt Betsey, who frequents this
place, had not told me tonight that ac-
cident had revealed my presence to you.
| should have lost courage, and returned