Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-09-17

aroma OF u fragrant cigar which saiutes
our nOsirils tends TO remove our anxiety
as 10 the prisoners being wholly desti-
!uie OF comfort My father pushes me
toward tho door.
Open it. girl |" no says with melo-
dramatic steuness.
am trembling all over, but with 6
great effort | manage TO turn tho key
and give the door feeble push. lfeel
tho door pulled open. | dare not look.
My eyes are cast 10 the ground. and my
checks are on FIRE, as In scarcely audi
BILE voice | say:
"I AIN SO sorry. Mr. Barton. | did
not mean to | took you for IA
" Ii II too much. ! break down.
and. ignomiliJusly bursting into tears
run 10 ny iasher and ousy my lace on
his shoulder.
There. Ihere, my girlP' cries my
father. Soothingly. lie holds me to
him, AID, softly pstting me with one
hand, he turns to Mr.. Barton and says,
1--WE must hsk your forgiveness. Mr..
Barton; and | AIN sure you will give IL
when ! explain how my little girl has
made q great mistake. In fact, she took
you for County Court bailiff!" and
nv father explains everything TO him.
When be had finished, raise my head
and, looking sbyly at MFR. Barton say
81 am so sorry. do not know how /
could have made such mistake. 1t was
so foolish; tut was so frightened I"
Il would be uselos 10 relate the many
kind things MT. Barton said. He made
so many excuses for mo. and was so
kind and good naIured. thai by the time
We had reached tho house | had recov.
cred ny self-poseession sufficiently to DO
eblo 10 laugh at an amusing anecdote be
related 70 US.
Fortunately dinner had not advanced
very far when discovered my mistake.
We made very merry party that might.
Ny father brought out some OF his cher
ishod por; that saw only the light on very
gleas occasions; and. ss he inSisted on
Mr. Barton staying ali night. and the
mex! morning In saying "Good-Dye'
gave him 6 pressing invitation to come
and soc Us very often. think am iusii-
fed In believing that my prisoner hsc
created very favorable impression on
tha. ademan,ine structure-s fathers
heart.
Thrso months later. 4 sharp winLer
has set in, and tho stream in still The
lake IL frozen over, and | am sitting on
the oaLk while MFR. Barton is assisting
mo 10 remove my skates. have been
receiving my firs, lesson in skating. It
wss 20 pleasant WAS not at ali afraid.
My teachers arm was so strong and he
held my hands so tightly
do you remember tho afternoon
when l locked you up?' l ask as We
carry our skates into the ruin.
"Remem5er'" he cries, locking me
tuli In the face. II should think / do
1t was Iho happiest day Of my ife."
Stupid little goose that am, begin
to iremble, and my foolish cheeks fash
the tol.-.ale color. The skates fall TO the
ground as my hands are qIickly II grasped
and my prisoner makes me- captive. /
try 70 release myself, but my efforts
coaso as my captor. In almost breathles5
words, tells me he loves me, | do aot
know whether give my suswer, bu! in
O moment no has drawn me 10 bim. |
pillow my head on his breast, his arms
are ronnd me, and know that | EN- his
and tha. 70 10 mine
"Hey-dHy y exciaims voice, ss my
father suddenly appears on the scene.
"What does this mean ?"
"Only the maa in possession" replies
Mr. Barton, grssping my fathers readily
oulstretched hand.