Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-02-18

! knelt down by Der open, vine sCreehcO
window, her arms folded upon the sill, to
wait until she should hear the clock below
strike twelve.
AS she knelt there. along the lane thai
ran close by that side OF the house. Frank
Desmond and Miss Stonor were walking
the lady holding her thin draperies from
contact with the dew with fair hands
sparkling with jewels. one great flashing
diamond telling a story that Bertie bad
she been less innocent OF the worlds
wavs. might have read.
Il wish you TO understand. Frank Des.
mond.' Ais StOnor was saying, "lbat
will uos to,.alc any Irritation on your
part with hat Talbot girl"
"How can you tslS so preposterously
Grsce AS if l would dirt with servant
girl"
"Well, aS it happens. MIR. Desmond. l
saw you sitting on the doorstep beside
her this afternoon, and | must confess it
looked suspiciously like Irritation"
Il was only amusing myself with the
little ignoramus, laughed Frank. Il
hope you are not getting jealous, Grace,
and imagining am about to fall in love
with that girl"
jealous Of you ?" echoed Miss Stonor.
with a contempt that made Franks blood
tingle, but which be dared not resent
since he had wooed the lady tor her
money "No, indeed But very young
aud pretty girls are occasionally made
the victims of young mems flirtalions for
anything but laudable reasons, and. since
we are engaged. want it distinctly un-
dersloOd that | will not tolerate any at
tentiors from you 10 pretty servant girl,
that may result in scandal"
MY dear Grace. pray let us drop this
subject assure you have no designs.
either good or evil, upon Berthe. The
girl is of no more importance TO me than
any OF the farm hands about here"
The Dext day. as Frank idled in the
shady front porch. reading aloud s poem
to the laties, a stranger drove up to the
gate.
What splendid horses" said Miss
Stonor, as the gentleman fastened his
fiery black span.
Surely have seen them before" re-
marked Frank meditaliveiy; then, as the
visitor opened the gate We'll, upon my
soul rs Charlie Thorn - and be sprang
10 greet the conner
ION, Mr. Desmond. how are you4
did not expect 10 meet any one here that
| knew. This is the farm, is ii not, kept
by Mrs Amelia NoSton ?"
ut is, and we are on visit" answered
Frank. introducing Mr.. Thorn to the la
dies
Perhaps you can tell me-" remarked
Charlie, when the introduction was over,
whether girl lives here By he name OF
Alberta Talbot"
The ladies glanced at each other signiti-
can,ly, and Frank answered.
There was such girl here-a house
maid-but i, Was discovered this morning
that she had run away"
Run away = said Mr.. Thorn, quickly
why. and where has she goue?"
mo one knows why and as she wa,
only a child whom Mrs. Newton took
from an orphan asylum 10 bring up. she
says she shall not take any trouble 10 find
her. she surmises that the girl has gone
10 London"
Il am sorry, very sorry said Mir
Thorn, thoughtiully. his handsome face
wearing yexed look. THAT girl il ~
heiresS, and | am her guardian. had
Just tracked her here, and nos 10 have
lost her again is very provoking. a.
drove up from town l cannot POSSIBLY
think OF starting back to-day. wonder
if Mrs. Newton could accommodate ms
over uight7"
1t was soon sscertained that Mrs. New
ton could accommodate him as long as
he chose to stay; but the next morning
the gentleman. accompanied by Frank
Desmond, set out on his return.
So late was it, on the secOud day oI
their drive, when the gentlemen reached
the city, that little could be done that
night towards searching tor the runaway
heiress, and he invited Desmond 10 spend
the evening with him at some place oi
amusement.
After dining they sauntered into the
Srsud. 10 no hurry to be present at thc
opening OF the play the gentlemen walked
slowly, tsiking gayly OF society news, bu
scarcely noticing the people they passed
But near Wellington street, where there
was u slight break in the crowd the lonely
figure OF girl standing irresolutely
with a pale, weary face. before a closed
shop window, attracted Desmond's atteL'
tion.
With quick exclamation OF triumph
and surprise he sprang forward and
caught the girls hand.
"Bertie, Berthe. darling, he exclaimed
softly, but eagerly, why did you rur
away from meP'
TIE girPs only answer was sligh
scream, and look OF terror rs she pu