Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-08-27

Mrs. Sterling begins at once, and all you
and have 10 do is to listen;
When was young and giddy--ever
and over so long ago, OF course: indeed,
l was quite a girl then, only eighieen-l
was. as you may imagine, quite q pet
with my father-don't laugh, Arthur
you know l was-and quite belle, too,
can assure you, with lots OF young men
flinging themselves at my feet and swear
INK all kinds of oaths about fidelity and
.yerlas affection, and all the other
things thai oung and enlhusiaslic'-
And inexperienced" put in Arthur,
Don't interrupt me, sir. Where was
/? Oh yes!-ihat young and enthusias-
tic and inexperienced people are accus-
toned to swear. And my father. who
was very stern aud had old-fashioned no
tions-and has now, for that matter, dear
old papa said that, whatever beiell, he
would not on any account give the least
encouragement or the slightest permis-
sion to any lover till was past twenty
years old. Not that cared, only It was
such fun 20 hear the men talk. and me
looking unutterable things and saying
softly, You must never say anything TO
me or this subject again TIL you have
papa's consent: be would be very angry
If ho knew what you've said already =
You soc. l knew papa's wilt is un-
chaugeable as granite at least thought
/, was--and felt perfectly safe.
This was. you know-uo You don't
know-but Il was the year came out in
society. And | used to go to receptions
and all sorts of things with papa. and re-
ceiye his company, and sit at the head OF
the liable. and keep house. just SIS my
mother would have done If she'd been
living. hardly remember mamma: !
was not four years Old when she died.
And society and peoples admiration
seemed SO glorious declared Ia never
marry, but 20 on TO the end of my days
saying NO TO any man that asked me,
and enjoying such 10. OF pity for the
poor fellows. I deliberately hardened
my hesrt. as many Il girl does at that age,
and fairly pi.ied-yes, actually piied-
tho girls iba; were 50 weak as TO fall in
love and got married. think papa used
~ encourage me IN the feeling, for he
didnI like TO think OF losing me out of
the house, and he q Judge and Congress
man, and having ever 50 much company,
and nobody but dear old-iashioncd Aunt
Jane 20 help him receive them If was to
leave him.
When father was reelected TO Congress
We had glorious reception at our house
in the country, and an0ng others that
came to il was a Nj Sterling, the son Of
my fathers college chum. aud q promis-
ing young sprig OF ne law, father said.
lie came TO stsy day or two in the house
as a visitor before the reception, and was
to leave the morning alter it took
place"
AZ this point in the narrative Mr.. Ar
thur beihoughl him Of a letter he must
write, and begged 10 be excused TOR a
iime-s piece of rare good sense on his
par, considering how much the story had
20 do with himself.
During bis stay We had been q good
deal together. hsd been his guide to
all the famous spots in the neighborhood,
and no had been cha,ty and bright, snd
amused me greatly. We had a little chat
in the conservatory tbs; evening of the
reception, and | told hi i'm was sorry to
have him leave.
Thank you ho said. i would rather
hear you ssy that than anything yoG
could have said. except one
What is that, praY'' | asked.
That YOU would ike to see me here
again
Oh | replied, Il never give invita-.
tions: papa does that. OF course hen
be glad to see you sgain'
Aud you?'
Why, since you insist upon my saying
it, shall be glad too: you amuse me
greatly.
SO might tight-rope performer or q
performing dog, suppose p
No: don't care for such amusements.
l like to hear the talk of bright men, and
you strike me as very bright man.
1T is only the reflection OF yourself,
Miss Bronson. be said in a cold society
tone, which. strange 10 say, panied me.
and replied that didn't care for CON-
pliments hsd plenty of them, and they
pailed on me.
Then be said, DO you wan! me to tell
you The truth, the out aDd-Out truth-thc
whole truth. and nothing bat the truth
so help me God 2
That's an oath, Mr.. Sterling said 4:
don't commit yourself
Il do commit myself came here to
commit myself. want you to hear me
out and believe that realize fully the
solemnity OF what sm saying. have
sought this opportunity to tell you that
love you, Miss Bronson
Strangely enough, | wasn't the least