Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-03-02

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"Dinah," said John Ashurst to th,
colored servant that night, "be very kline
to our next door neighbor. She is ar
estimable woman who has seen much
trouble. You need not drive the children
away, or anything"
"Sho." exclaimed Dinah, addressing
the unwashed dishes. whats de mean
in OBJ dis somerset OBJ opinion. Guess
she's widder indeed, as de good Book
says. S'posin' he should"
Dinah did not finish the sentence but
all the evening as she worked about hel
kitchen she exclaimed ever and anon,
"S'posin' he should! An all dem chill
len come to han" Then she shook her
head. "Tain't de way FUR him. Lor'.
What power widders has got, to be
shore"
Weeks passed. and John Ashurst
paced his room, with trouble on his face.
His nephew came in. Anything wrong,
uncle" he asked kindly.
II believe I'm little out of sorts, y
answered John Ashurst. I'm fact, Fred,
/ was thinking Of you"
"Of me: Don't worry about me, I'm
happy as lark" answered Fred, care
lessly.
"The fact is. Fred" said John Ash
urst, pausing in his nervous walk. and
looking attentively at his nephew, II
am little worried about you and-our
neighbors."
The Gurneys asked Fred in
amazement.
"Yes," answered John Ashurst, grave
ly. at has just come TO my ears that
people are talking about our going there.
| have been very kind to Mrs. Gurney
because | was unjust to her at first, and
wished TO make atonemcnt. She is a
charming woman-more than that, a
good woman. To mt there is no other
woman so attractive as these sweet voiced
Quaker women with their quaint speech
and gentle ways: so realize your
danger
Fred Ashurst's eyes twinkled. Folks
talk about us, do they: If were a
man with your age and your means. I'd
make them talk to some purpose. If
were in your place, Uncle John. ] would
marry the widow
Tohn Ashurst bent n searching glance
on his nephew: 1T would not hurt you
in the least if loved and welded Mrs.
Gurney :" he asked.
Not in the least / would congratu-
late YOU with all my heart" answered
Fred earnestly.
That is enough" said John Ashurst,
with a satisfied smile. "You don't love
the woman if you are willing to see an
other win her.
"You needn't fear rival in me" re-
piled Fred, laughing.
'.Oh Fred, that is all nonsense :" ex-
claimed John Ashurst, impatiently. II
shall never marry. Unfortunately there
is a memory of the past that would
always come between me and new love.
| tell you this much that you need not
speculate or plan about my future
MRS. Gurney might make you forget
the past" suggested Fred Ashurst.
ION the contrary, she makes me re-
member" replied John Ashurst, half to
himself
That night in the widow Gurney's
home the children were crowded about a
newcomer, whom they called cousin
Lily. In pause Of the conversation she
said, addressing Mrs. GurnY:
pray tell me who these found
relatives are. They talk Of Fred and
uncle John as if they were kin
They are our neighbors," answered
Mrs. Gurney. IL want thee to meet
them. When we had lived here about a
week, our neighbor called. He had made
funny mistake, and brought boy who
was stealing his cherries, thinking he be-
longed here. Think of it, Lily-one of
my boys stealing fruit"
IL would have been very angry" said
the visitor.
"Oh no." answered Mrs. Quincy, 81
was very sorry for him. He was so gen.
tlemanly aud so humble, really contrite,
as if he had offended me, and was sorry
for it. He was little incoherent too,
and could not quite make out what he
meant. A school-boy would have been
more embarrassed; and like ourselves,
Lily, he is no chicken. Then note
came in he had sent me, and there had
been delay in giving it to me. He took
it quite eagerly, and said he would do the
errand himself, and offered us all the
cherries we wanted. That was the be-
ginning of our friendship. Since then
Fred Ashurst and his uncle have been
frequent visitors. This uncle has the
most wonderful smile; it lights up his
whole face. But he is not man given
to smiling. I judge he has had some
great trouble. What ails thee, Lily:
The blood has all gone from thy face"
my journey has been little exhaust
ing that is all" replied the visitor, care
lessly.
"By-the-way," she said, with affected
indifference, lis the uncle's name Ash
urst:"
"Yes," answered Mrs. Gurney. ''Is
the family known to thee:'
1--WE knew the Ashursts years age"
replied the visitor. depend upon it.
this man made a change Of base when he
called. 1t is like the Ashursts to be hasty
and unjust. / know nothing of their