Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-03-04

strangely that we both grew frightened
At last be spoke:
"PSe been TO the squire's," said he.
For the first time | had 10 tell him iha;
1 could not pay him hi4 rent when due" "
opened my lips Graudmamma'o
hand covered Ihem Grandpa drew me
TO HIM.
4 II young, lass" he said, aud
,l-y are d, u, when they call you pretty.
Say, con'f, 20 tho squire we'll enough
to wed h'ms"
"Eh ?" cn> gtoD'ma. Sure you're
not wanderingP"
Squire Turner asked me fer this lass
of ours tonight. or all women in the
word there is but ono he loves as he
should his wife, and tina, is our Agatha "
Il dreamp. Of golden rings aud "a
bunch OF white yoscs on Christmas Eye, "
cried Sr.nnie. Il know ,h" lass would
0e Iucky."
But pat my head IN grandlaihefs
shoulder and hid ny face, Tho truth
must CUT, knew
VIII have him, aud to rich LADY p
SAID grsndpa.
And when he had waited Tor au answer,
| burs. Vut with M and ~ ubtogelher
"Sne's frightened, - said graudmammA
Nay, We must all wed once in our lives.
my child"
Tnen grandpa talked 10 me. He told
me how poor they bad grown, and how
kind the squire was. aud had but to
marry him 10 make ms grandparents free
from deb, and poverty their lives through.
Ii refused and vexed the squire. heaven
only knew what Nigh, happen.
"Shs'il never ruin her poor grandpa "
sobbed graudmamma.
Adj &. Was hard 10 bear bitter hard :;
Dot now there was no help Tor it. took
the ring from ms bosom and laid i; on NV
palm. and told them II was Evan Locke
and thai had piiehtod my roth TO him
Aud grandmamma called me deceitiuI
Sench, and grandfather looked as though
his heart wou q break.
On, would nave done anything ter
,hem-auythin nut give up my true low
OF.
Thst night kissed his ring and prayed
heaven thai be might love me always. IN
the morning it was gouo, ribbon and all.
from my neck. looked Tor II high and
low. bat fouad no sigG ot IT, And be
gAu To- iaar the loss Of lha, dear ring was
4 sign tba, | would never marry Evan
Locke The days passed on, and he new
er came near ne.
"Oh, it was cruel in him" thought
Ito hold such anger tor 4 hasty word he
had provoked, whel spoke il that he
must know loved hun so.
Aad grandma woaId scarcely look a,
ue q know why. now, and grandpa
sighed and moancd, aud talked Of the
WORK house. And thought | should die
oil griet amoag tnem.
Oae day grandma SAID to me, IL
seems thu. Your sweetheart is not over
!oud Of yoG or over anxious TO see you
why up" sad |
Where has be been this month back ?"
Busy, doubtless. said |, with smile
though thought my heart would burst
Perhaps you know all about it," said
grandma. You're going with him, may
be
"Where ?" said |.
She went to the kitchen door and beck
ouei in a wOman who sat ,here-D ne
Coombs, who bad come over with e IS.
II heard you rightly" she said. lyon
told me Exam Locke and his mother were
making ready for voyage
They're going to Canada. Ny son, a
carpenter-and good one, though say
it---u ade the doctor a box for his things.
Tue Old lady breads the new country, but
she goes Tor the doctors sake. There's
money 70 be made there, they say. That's
Saat takes bim."
Il told YOU So" said grandmother.
al don't believe it," said |.
They've sold the house. snd gone TO
Liverpool 20 axe ship; and you may find
he truth tor yourself ii you choose to
take tho trouble said Dame Coombs
I'm DO chatterbox, to toll lalsehoods
about my ueighbors." And she went
away ia wrath.
Aud still would not believe it until
dad Wa ked across The moor ald had seen
ne shutters last closed aud the door
barred, and not sign of ifo about the
place. Then gave up hope. went
nome pale and trembling, and sAl down
1t grsndmamma's knee.
lis true said
And Tor the sake OF so false q lad
you'i see Your grandfather ruined and
/ break his heart, and leave me that have
Dursed you, irom babe. Il widow
( looked Al her as she sDbbed, and
I found strength 10 say:
Give ne TO whom YOU will, then,
since my own love does not want me-"
And then crepl ug stairs and sat down
on by bedside, weak as though | bad
tainted. | would have thanked heaven
/ r --..f,l.o,. ;,e,tLo,, hut !, ,youl.,