Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-11-19

you live, Mr.. Jacobs"
"Oh. he hasn't been living anywhere,
my dear, he has only been existing and
staying the past few years. he has just
begun to live now within the last hour.
Come in, all of you. and see what have
to offer you in the way of refreshments"
Fear caught the flash 4 knowing
glances that passed between her host and
hostess and her parents, wondering at
first it they were ali demented, and then
thinking that she had never seen any OF
them so stupid. She took her place at
the table and began to dish out the black
berries as her hostess had requested her
TO do, in unNonled silence.
"Iremembered your fondness for black
berries, john" remarked Mrs. Haven,
while passing the tea, $50 begged my
neig bbor here to send across the street to
her own store-room tor them, wishing
your first impression OF our tsblo re-
sources 10 Dc iaVoraOIe.
"Aud | beg" put in Fear helping her
father TO the plump. cool berries. that
as the delicate flavor oil the fruit tickles
your palates you will remember that they
were picked by these fair fingers" ;" lifting
up her hands in a mock sentimental man.
nor.
"Sh-sh." came from between Mrs. Gls-
zier's leelb.
Tho young gentleman bowed, smiled
and glanced at this isir table companion
with an expociant look, evidently very
much amused. and wondering when and
how she would bubble over next. He
had not long to wait.
al am disappointed, Fear wenton, al
expected 10 be complimented, at least
that you would consider 1t such an
effort tor an ethereal young creature like
myself to pick berries, and high black
berries at that, that you would refuse 10
accept the sacrifice of my vital forces,
wounded fingers and torn garments, and
not touch the fruit, however empiing IL
might look"
But the obdurate young man went on
eating bis berries aud cream, coniem-
plating with all evident lively satisfaction
the picture OF youth and hoal.h opposite
him, and as be had just finished helping
himself, coolY handed over the small cut
glass plate to be refilled.
Il see you have passed the age oi SEN
timent. Well, for that matter, so have
/, and on that score, at least, we can
sympathize."
"How old do you consider each other
10 be?" exclaimed Mr.. Haven, seizing
the point as if it was something he had
been patiently waiting for and had al
most reliuqnished as II iorlorn hope.
Don't speak each write on card your
honest judgment; chalk ages as We say
in Vermont. |, would be Interesting TO
know how near you could guess. You
know /. is a scientific fact thai young
people of opposite sexes are incapable o
Judging each oiact's agea."
Fear took the card and pencil Mr.. Ha-
ven handedhor and wrote unhesi.atiDgly:
"I should Judge by your teeth and wrinklos,
That you must BE- thirty six;
II Indeed you are only thirty,
Father Time has been playing you tricks"
Mr.. Jacobs, not having faculty for
rhymiug, took a card from his elegant
case and penciled;
by your looks. sweet sixteen. By your
department twenty-four; being Yankee,
will split the difference and saytwenty."
They exchanged the cards. As each
glanced at the others handwriting, the
look of utter ss,oDishmenl that trans
fixed the faces of both Was TOO mnch for
even Mr.. Haven's lawyer-like immobili!y
of feature, and his boisterous laughter
was joined in quite heartily By all the
rest.
You knew it all the time. exclsimed
Fear, with uudisguised asperity OF tone
al believe you knew H."
"Of course we did, M dear" said Mr..
Haven. IL hope you don't think | would
have advised your indulging in s'wi!d
goose chase after pension even for
fun. had | nct known very well that j.
J., , the assistant! OF my friend, the hon.
orsble commissioner OF pensions, would
have opened your letters. And whom il
eamo to that knew nothing verg bsd
could come from correspondence be-
tween you and my brother-in-la~, the
son OF an old friend OF your father. Of
course your respected parents were duly
enlightened al the outset"
Il surrender unconditionally, Mr..
Jacobs broke in coming round the table
10 Fears side. II had been casting
about in my mind all the way from Wash
iugton. how could sec my vile without
my brother and sister here knowing OF
our correspondence, for l thought they
would have no end of amusement at my
expense. Well, things never turn out as
we expect"
And it is the impossible that always
happens added Fear, rising and receiv-
ing his proffered kiss, with many bushes,
to be sure, but (sho used to say after