Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-07-08

was, to her narrow and innocent mind, 4
confirmation strong as proofs of holy
writ" Jack was evidently ashamed of
something in the past; he had been con-
fused and silent when Laura Beamis was
discussed; the events tailed yes, the
circumstantial evidence was strong. Free
had said, "You had a firt-'-''a firta-
ton with her" he had intended to con
tinue, when his mother interrupted him.
But what if Jack were innocent in the
case of Laura and her broken heart; At
least he had openly contradicted his first
denial of having committed dishonora-
bic action. Hardly ever, indeed Did
he think shc-she-would marry a man
who had ever committed the faintest
shadow of dshonorable action; Never
not though her own heart broke, like
Laura's.
All night long poor Sallie lay tossing
on her bed, working her foolish little
brain into a state bordering upon frenzy.
She revolycd the matter in her mind until
she lost all power of correct and tranquil
Judgment. The more violently she cx-
cited herself, the more conclusive, to her
thinking, became othe proofs Of poor Jack 5
baSeneSS. At length she could lie there
no longer; she rose, and by the faint
light of the winter dawn she wrote a brief
but decisive letter to Jack, slipped her EN-
gagcmcnt ring into the same enclosure,
sealed the envelope, and wrote his name
upon it. Faint and weary with her long
conflict, She was about to lie down again,
when she remembered that it was near
the early breakfast hour appointed for the
two young men, and that she had prom
ised to assist Jerusha in her preparations :;
so she dressed hastily, with trembling
fingers, and crept down to the kitchen.
Had she obtained an hours sleep she
wonld have awakened with clearer
sense of things. and the unfortunate note
would probably have been destroyed. But
now her wearied and oyerstimulated
brain continued to ponder upon the cause
of her distress, and magnify it to gigantic
proportions.
For the lands sake, child ex-
claimed Jerusha, you do look powerful
bad -
Il couldn't Sleep said Sallie, shortly,
There, Jerusha, the tables set, and
there's plenty of time for me to 90 and
rest a while now And quietly laying
the note beside jack plate, she hurried
back to her room.
Her lover glanced around with rest
less eyes when he met Free and Auntie
Trib at the breakfast table. He had not
believed that Sallie would elude him this
morning. He seated himself with anx-
iously drawn brows
What: why, here's a letter. he ex-
claimed Then, examining it, he read
the word Private beneath his own
name, and flushing hotly, he slipped it
into his breast pocket. Prom Sallie,
he said, quietly.
What ever does the child mean
cried Auntic Trib. Amt she up; Jc-
rushy, 90 right up and get her. ~
"Shc said as how she'd ben layin'
awake said Jerusha, land she went to
rest Il spell.
"Wcll, YOU 20 along and tell her to
come, said Mrs Hill.
But Jack called out Don't disturb
her if she's asleep
Jcrusha went up, and presently came
Gathering down again. She asleep,
she said a. she entered.
Poor Sallie had indeed dropped into a
troubled slumber, and Jack would not
admit for an instant the idea of rousing
her
1T would be cruel said the soft
hearted fellow. Free and | will run
down here very soon again.
He was disappointed and dolcful, but
he hoped the letter would explain mat
tiers. The ring had been dropped into
the folds of the paper, and It's shape
could not be distinguished through the
thick envelope. Poor Jack wondered
vaguely what the hard substance within
could be, but the real state of the case
never dawned upon him.
As he and young Hill We're walking
together to the railway station he took
the note from his pocket and tore it open,
1t was brief. mysterious, decisive.
Queer enough said Free, 'for Sallie
to give us the slip in this way. Just like
YOU not to wake her She'll be mad
enough to Bless me, Jack, what's the
natter"
For Jack had stopped short, with a
violent exclamation. His face was pur-
pie, his eyes blazing with wrath and pain
He held up the ring before Frees aston
ished gaze.
"What in the name of-"began Free
But he was unheard; Jack turned swiftly,
. and ran like madman back to the Hill
cottage.
Sallie was walking the porch in an
agony of doubt and trouble Her briei
rest had cleared her perceptions, but il
had not yet freed her from the state oi
mingled perplexity and stubborn decision
into which she had worked herself. She
was not yielding, but she was wretched
and regretful.
Suddenly Jack appeared before her
flushed and glaring, his excitable tenn
permanent reused to its highest pitch.
"Are you insane:' he cried, seizing
her roughly by the arm. "Do you want
: to drive me to perdition with your wicked
crualtv> In Heavens name. eyplair