Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-11-18

"If you ever happen to come to An
minister l shall be glad to see you
with blush
And why may not see you here y
81 am going home to Administer she
evaded
Then shall certainly happen to go
there"
The Elphinstones went to some fash
ionable springs directly, and Nora lost
sight of them for the nonce. She had
dreaded lest Lucius should inquire her
residence, and in calling establish her
identity with Xantippe, and she was
greatly relieved when Mr.. and Mrs.
Warner returned from Europe, and she
could pack up and start off for Axmin-
ster. But fate had not designed that the
affair should end here. The Administer
train was thrown from the track, and
when Nora came TO her senses she was
lying in a cool room, with Nell Elphin-
stone bathing her brow, and a racking
pain in her head.
What is it; Where am ; Where
how did YOU come here, Nell:' she cried.
Hush, dear 1t was so lucky that
the train came to grief just in the midst
of your friends, so to speak. Now 90 to
sleep, that's a dear. The doctor says
you are in no danger, but you'll have to
stay here long time; and nothing could
be nicer than to have you here. And
your sister has sent up nurse, as she :
not well herself; so don't worry"
Nora had. indeed, fractured an arm,
and sustained bruises that would detain
her at Bitter Springs for some weeks ;
but as she began to mend she found that
her lines had fallen in pleasant places after
all Lucius Elphinstone made it his bust
ness to entertain and beguile her invalid
hours; brought in the latest books, the
choicest flowers, amused her with des-
cription of the fashionable follics at the
springs, with scraps from the operas and
tidbits from the burlcsques OF the day.
You see we had picnic in the neigh
borhood at the time of the accident,
Nell confded to Nora one day, and |
insisted on going with Lucius to view the
wreck, and do what | could for the IN
jurcd, and YOU were the first victim we
stumbled upon. wish you could have
seen Lucius face, it looked so white and
strange. as if the iron had entered his
soul.
He was very good to care" said
Nora.
Dear me, how cool you take it "
Il am very grateful" Had Lucius
really cared for her, or was he only
shocked:
Il am almost sorry that YOU mend so
rapidly" Lucius said to her on the fol-
lowing day. Il hear that YOU will take
wing tomorrow, and l shall have no one
20 listen to my nonsense.
There are plenty Of listeners, Mr.
Elphinstone."
But none exactly like yourself
Thanks. Who Is that coming up
the lawn: 1t looks ike-why It Is
Oliver
Oliver" repeated Lucius, aghast,
seeing the color that trembled on her
check, the light shining in her eyes. But
before she could reply the door opened,
and Oliver was in her arms
"Why, Oliver, did YOU rain down"
Il amt a pollywog, aunty. No, |
played hockey just to come down and see
YOU. Mother don't know-and Jack
Thurston. he lent me the money
Jack Thurston."
"Oh yes. Jack and mes all made up;
we amt going to whip each other no
more. Oh, say" turning to Mr.. Elphin-
stone. "you re Jacks cousin, amt YOU
Did YOU ever see Mr.. Elphinstone
before, Oliver
Lots of times, over to Jack Thurs
tons. Jack thinks there's nobody like
him, YOU see. Jack and me got mad the
drst thing about YOU and him. Jack said
he was the best fellow in the world, and
| said YOU was; made his nose bleed
and he gave me a black eye; don't you
and then you wrote to his
grandpa
Nora caught Lucius's eye.
$50 you are the author of those billet
doux:' he said laughing
"Yes, am the Xantippe,' humbly
but YOU are not II. Browne.
MY name is Honora Browne
"Well, Miss Browne, since you leave
tomorrow, shall we continue our cores
pondence:" he asked. Tell me, Nora,
could you love me little: Will you
write and tell me if | may love you for
ever and ave." he whispered, Oliver hav-
ing gone down to look at a game of
lawn tennis.
Love me, XantiPpe, a woman of
that kind Mr.. Elphinstone. you are
laughing at me-
Come, Nora, mavourneen, that's un-
fair. How could l guess that you were
II. Browne whom | mistcok for divers
mother: Come, dearest, forgive me.
Our acquaintance began through blow;
let us perpetuate it with kiss.
And she obeyed.-Ha1per's Bazar.