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

party was quite family affair, Mr.. and
Mrs. Elphinstone, their sons and daugh-
ters, with one or two friends making up
the list.
This is a regular snare, Nora, said
Ellen Elphinstone, when they were drop
ping down the harbor. Il don't know
how you feed about it my dear girl; but
YOU see, we are not going to sail for the
day merely. but out into the broad At
lantic, and along the coast, and Heaven
knows where, just as Cousin Lucius
pleases. We may be ship-wrecked OF
cast on a desert shore. But we shall be
away a week at the very least
"Oh, how superb, cried Nora; and
then her face heightened "But Nell,
whatever shall do: have no things.
Providence will provide. You see
had no time to notify YOU after our change
Of plan; but packed up double sup
ply of things so don't worry.
But there's the housekeeping, and
the servants and burglars-'
But you've housekeeper;'
And there's Oliver, and-Oh dear,
its delightful, but ought to be at home. "
But your nephew has a nurse
''Why, he's eight years old, Nell. To
be sure his nurse lives with us still, and
regards him as the apple Of her eye, and
Thomas looks after him ike detective;
still"
"Oh come, throw your conscience
overheard" begged Lucius, coming up to
close the argument.
I'm afraid its so light it will float,
laughed Nora. "Bu, may as well en-
JOY myself" which she straightway pro-
ceeded to do, after the most approved
method of Irritation, as Nell called 1t.
Lucius got his chess board, and they
played for hours together.
"What ever can You see in thatgame "
Nell would harangue Life isn; long
enough to learn it,
1t Is linked sweetness long drawn out,
LuciuS returned.
On wet days they read Browning be-
low, or repeated in turn all the old bal
lads they could recall, or danced TO Nell
violin. 50 they drit,ed along the coast,
touching here and there at some port, GO
ius ashore in merry group, for books, or
mail or a garden party. Nora acknowl-
edged she had never had such a gay time
before in her life.
"Oh, If could live on yacht for
ever, she said one ,tar-li, night, when
she and Luciu> were sitting apart as they
had contracted a habi, of doing.
$50 you like a sca-taring life
Yes: how dsu /, will be to return to
commonplace jus, think, Mr. Elphin
stone, a tor,uish, ago had never heard
OF you; aren't yoa mortified
"Such /, fame. And now :"
"Why. now feel as IL had known
You a hundred year, or more and then
Nora hung her head at her own words.
Il rc-re, tia, the time has seemed SO
long. laughed Luc,us 10 me tins
fortnight hls seemed Ike a dream. Tell
me about Yourself, Ms, Nora, hc said,
after o pause. "IIow G,,lg ! know of
you in spite of our long intimacy, I've
taken yoa entirely on trust, haven /:
Continual comfort in a tace-the Inca
meuts Of gospel books, he quoted.
-Fla,tery thy name i, man. What
can tell You about myself that YOU
don, know already: You know my
iayori,c poets and novels, my religious
views, my slender accomplishments; YOU
know l live in the country, and am just
now keeping house in the city for my
brother and sister, who are abroad. DO
YOU Ike boys, Mr.. Elphinstone ~
"What "a depression! | can tolerate
them. by-the-way, speaking Of boys re-
minds me Of a correspondence I've had
with an anxious mother on the subject. |
think have one Of the precious cpistles
about me; they are such Sweet-tempercd
specimens, YOU ought 10 see them. Listen,
here's one OF them, as he struck a match
and read:
Mr. TuUESToN SIR II can rely implic-
itly upon our divers word. And II fail
10 reorganize the manners of our boy, 1t
must be because your own furnishes him
such evil examples. IL. BROWSE.
"There, Don't pity Mr Browne;
isn't she a Xantippe; Think Of marry
ing a woman of that kind. Ye gods! y
"But-you are not Mr.. Thurton"
gasped Nora.
"Not exactly. was his amanuensis
on this interesting occasion. Grandpa
Thurston has a mischieyous grandson,
beside myself, who had come off tSticuhs
with said Master Browne. Grandpa
Thurston Is paralyzed, and can neither
walk nor write, therefore the burden fell
upon Your humble servant,
YES, think the wind has changed,
Mr.. Elphinstone, said Nora, after a
pause, Il must 90 below
Let me bring your wrap instead, Miss
Nora.
Thanks; but 1t Is growing late. Inc
Others have already gone; really must
follow We get in tomorrow
"Yes. This Is our last night at sea
let Us make the most OF 1t.
Il have enjoyed the voyage. 1t is only
the end that i unpleasant. Good night.
"Oh, what fool - thought Nora, as
She Law ON her inflow. "ever To have writ