Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-10-28
NUMBER 42.

cription.
why, there-there he is cries Garry
excitedly. Just going out of the room
with Mr.. Wilding Don't you see him.
Look
En- says George, and then ensues an
ominous pause. Georges lips relax
they widen-quiver-and presently Miss
Norman becomes aware that her brother
is convulsed with laughter.
What is it, she asks little austere-
ly. No one likes being laughed at What
amuses you"
You, says George, still continuing his
heartless mirth, and your new patient
We'll, isn't he mad; impatiently.
we are ali mad, my dear, no doubt,
on different subjects, but as yet that
young man you have pointed out to me is
loose upon the world.
George, what do you meanY asks Miss
Norman in terrified tone. Who is that
young man.
He is a rising barrister, of good family
and small means, aud his name is Robert
Bohun, replies George, in voice full Of
open amusement.
oh, George, do say you are not in
earnest, entreats his sister, almost in
tears. 4 have said the most dreadful
things to him-I have made myself quite
ridiculous-I told him was the Queen
of Hearts.
At this George laughs still more i'm
moderately.
What shall l do says Miss Norman.
Dear George, coaxinglY, 4 think l
should like to 90 10 my room.
Nonsense, child, come and have glass
Of champagne instead. After all, what
does it signify: III find Bohun and in
troduce him to you, and YOU can both
laugh it all over in five minutes.
Introduce him Indignantly, 4 won
der how you can even suggest such q
thing TO me. Of course shall never be
able to look him in the face again. Ny
only hope is that he and j have seen the
last of each other tonight.
We'll, come and have your champagne
anyhow, says George; and Miss Nor
man. still so distracted as 10 be almost
unaware of what she Is doing, suffers her
brother to lead her to the ,upper-room,
whore. TO her everlasting chagrin, She
finds herself face 10 face with the King
Of the Cannibal Islands
Garry comes to a stand still. and Mr..
Bohun puts down untastcd the glass hc
holds. They stare at each other silently.
and both turn warm crimson. To Mis-,
Norman this accession Of coloriug is emi-
ncn,Iy becoming; 20 Nr. Bohun 10 is not.
he is quite aware of both these facts,
and feels himself 40 q disadvantage.
As for George and WiIding they are
beginning to enjoy themselves thoroughly
Their eyes are cleaning with unholy JOY.
1t is with difficulty they suppress their
secret gayety. The former coming TO the
rescue At this moment, says with gentle
gravity:
Garry, permit me TO introduce TO YOU
one who for years has been 70 me true
and valued friend, although he can boast
q royal pedigree, while am only hum
bic commoner. True, his people hail
from Central Africa, and are hardly
choice with regard to their food, but that
cannot be placed to his account; it IS his
misfortune, not his fault. His family
name is Bohun, his title
Norman, interrupts Bohun angrily.
His modesty forbids my dwelling on
his manly perfections, continues George,
utterly unabashed. But before leaving
the subject, Bohun, should tell you my
sister IS also of blood royal--she IS, in
fact, the well-known Queen Of
George. exclaims Miss Norman Sc
verely.
We'll, | shall say no more, says Nor
man; and then he and Wilding give way
to much unseemly merriment, and taking
each other by the arm, march of to
distant table.
Il hope you will forgive my wretched
mistake, Miss Norman, says Bohun,
when he and Garry are alone. I'm sure
! can think how the absurd idea got into
my head, but | was positive YOU were a
"a
so was I-of you says Miss Nor
man, rather incoherently, with downcast
eyes. But Bohun happily understands.
II am awfully ashamed Of myself"
continues he, earnestly Il really think
l must have been mad when-when
thought yoW So
80 must l. murmurs Miss Norman,
growing more incoherent, and always with
her lovely eyes cast down.
Il hope am forgiven, says Bohun,
anxiously.
81 hardly think there is anything to
forgive" with d low, half-nervous laugh,
and just one swift glance under the long
dark lashes; Il think we have both sim
ned equally. When | remember all the
absurd things ! said to YOU" putting up
her hand to her soft flushed cheek, Il
feel so angry with myself. But | didn't
mean them. You must understand that.
"Of course | understand that, says
the young man.
II w.sh you would promise me TO for
get all about this dreadful evening"
II shall do my best, but there are some
things one cannot forget. You told me.
for instance, that when we were both free
of our asylum | might call upon you.
| can't forget that, YOU know. And there
were a few other things | don't want to
forget either"