Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-06-25

his stature-a dark. ungsinly. black
bearded Bosnerges. thought, IN the
glance bad before the compelling tom
pest bowed my head again, aud felt in
the deep rolling tones with which he or
deTed his men TO march before and break
the force of the gale from those directly
behind them. But he bowed his head to
no blast, and SCENE a tower of strength
before US there. Nor did he look over
his shoulder when. just at the gate, Mrs.
Cameron's cry rsng out as she slipped
aud fell, aud obliged her son to emulate
Mr.. Bsssett's example. But in the shsd-
ow of the porch Mr.. Bassett turned, the
rain drops sparkling on his beard and On
his thick black eye-lashes, lifting his hat
from the low brow. white. | saw, under
the ebon masses of hair, certainly his
whole strange face strangely transhg-
ured. Welcome to Sea House all y he
said, and passed on. winding his way
through dark passages, where we lost
sight of him as we followed the ringing
sound of his steps. lie paused in little
cabinet and laid his burden on sofa
there, first removing her wet wrsp'. and
then disappearing to return with band
ages and lotions for Mrs. Cameyon's
ankle. When he had made her comfort
able on her improvised bed, in which
task assisted-by virtue OF my place as
old maid of the party, having been dele
gated to all tho disagroeable duIies-he
went over to Miss Murray, who still lay
on the sofa, silent and desthly white.
But at the movement she opened her
great gray eyes, dark from the rings OF
shadow surrounding them, slipped her
fee, 10 the floor, faltered second, and
then hastened to Mrs. Csmeron's side,
falling on her knees and clasping her,
and breaking into hys,erical sobs.
why, Miss Murray, Margaret. my
poor child. iI's nothing but L sprain y
I Skieu MS SauuoiOu' a" hOS'' HS'Na
knew you cared for me 50 ~
IL DON'T" she exclaimed. rising
impeluously. L
But Mr.. Basse,t was before her. al
must forbid any excitement he said, in
those deep tones. II will send servant
TO attend 70 the patient. Pray consider
yourself, madame, my welcome guest I'll
your cure is complete. This young ladys
room adjoins your own, across tho pas
sage"
II shall stay with my mistress, said
Miss Murray, suddenly. and without
looking up.
lie stopped and surveyed hrr whethe'
amazed, wondered. that Ih'- naughty
and ungracious young womnr aesn 'wl-
edged herself II servant, or that Sho did
1. so proudly. But after the glance he
only bowed. Nevertheless, the room is
at her disposal" he said, opening the
doors which led TO il, and presently leav-
ing Us together.
went into the room, of course, and
looked about me, for my cloak had not
been thoroughly protecting, and the big
fire blazing on the hearth there attracted
me. The rest OF the party were drying
themselves otherwhere. Mrs. Cameron
fell into a doze. aud then Miss Murray
came and stood on the hearth beside me-
1t was large room. which evidently had
been made more comfortable than the
rest of the house tor Mr.. Bassen himself.
A dark rug nearly covered it. thick cur
,alns iucosed the windows, some old
prints and portraits. probably bought
with the house. fsncied. hung upon the
wall; there was huge jar OF flowers.
there were books aud papers, and general
parapbernalia 1T Is his own room; ;
look" said |.
"Oh. how shall-I-oh, don't you see"
began Miss Murray; but just then Belle
broke into the room, siencing herself at
our hushing.
How is she she half whispered. "lu
pain? Poor Mrs. Cameron AsleepP
How nice! Lucia takes it easily. doesn't
she? Oh, Miss TwomblY! oh, Miss
Murray! This:is Just the queerest, de-
lightfulest old place-full of romance
II only we could stay here ill Mrs. Cam
eron were quite we'll again Just little
sprain. Why couldn't She But Belle
interrupted herself just there. He says
we must" she went on. but then. you
know, of course we couldn't It's real
adventure; and oh isn'tit delicious AT
any rate we can't 90 while the storm lasts.
Get down on your knees. Miss Murray,
and pray that il shall last week. Well,
then. come aud look at the other rooms
sliding panels, false doors. every
thing"
followed her out. AS turned gently
to close the door saw Miss Murray
throwing up her arms with desperate
gesture, and when came back she Stood
leaning on the msntel, her head bowed,
her fallen hair hanging over her clasped
arms, the picture of detection. What 10
the world did it meanP Since it was not
concern for Mrs. Cameron. was it de-
mentia? Had the storm and the oxpos-
ure given her fit of melancholy Now