Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-01-04

| icieHtil auu 'he gun hhS" mummy VI wv
oyster beds and the crops that were hers.
The girl stood in the rose path again
the following evening, her garden hat in
her hand, her eyes unconsciously fixed
upon the yacht Mermaid in the ofhng.
She was in an usually thoughtful mood.
There had come to her for the first time
the thought whittier her life was tending.
To wear away the seasons from youth to
age in uneveptful monotony, her soul un-
satisfied, did not suit her. Probably It
would never be otherwise; and sadness
no words could express spread through all
her consciousness.
A step upon the gravel. She turned
and encountered the CLEAN Of two blue
eyes. Captain Somers bowed low.
Your pardon; more missing property,
Miss Wcsterley," he stammered.
"What is it now ;" asked Adelaide, in
amazed tones.
A ring l dropped yesterday. All,
here it is" STOPPING to hide a guilty
blush. and Immediately, with strange
good fortune. discovering diamond ring
at the edge of the grass plot.
He showed it to her-a diamond
quantity set; his property for fifteen
years, he said, the gift Of his dead
mother.
The heiress of the Jumpers was as
guileless as a child She never thought
of fear; and what was there to suggest
it in gentle words and courtly tones :
And fortunately Captain Somers was an
honest man and honestly in love.
They chatted among the rose vines for o
long hour The young man made prac-
,ical use OF his time. With undue stress
he told her who he was-the younger OF
two orphan brothers left early to find
their fortune. The elder had succe eded
better then he; perhaps because less
scrupulous. 1t was Godireys yacht
Gordon commanded. He had no money,
but he had not vice, and the good will
of all men.
Aud when he had gone she found that
he had left with her letters highly COM
plimentary, recommending him to sta
tons OF trust, so that she was able 10 al
tord Aunt Resolve all the assurance she
needed.
And now Adelaide was no longer
alone She had lover.
Week after week the yacht Mermaid
remained in the ofing. Day by day the
young people doated on the smooth sum
mcr tide, or strulled in the garden, OF
sang at the OLD piano songs ringing and
full OF sweetness.
Perhaps no happier hearts existed un
der the sun. Then Godfrey Somers sent
for his yacht, and Gordon must needs
obey and speed north. 49,
"Oh, Gordon, you will forget me ::
she cried.
] Forget my little oriole, Never
child, you do not know how | love you.
Wear thi, ring for me Adelaide.
|, vas deep and yellow, and bore in
dee ply engraved characters the word Al
ways" And 20 they parted for few
weeks betro,hed lovers.
The summer waned, but Adelaide was
so happy she did not mind when the rose
petals Tell and the fruit was gathered.
Aunt Resolve, who watched her con-
s,antly nova days, saw that she was
wrapped in dream Of him. Her nature
of great sweetness was alive, and her
lover and her love life was all 10 her
And now, for Somer's sake-that was all
plain-she began to take an interest IN
the tasks and plans at the jumpers.
"Where does the money come from that
paws the plantation hands for their work,
Aunt Resolve =
They have their cabins and corn and
sweet potato patches. pay them small
wages out OF the fruit crop"
"What does that consist Of: -
Strawberries, pears, melons, and
grapes
Where are they sold =
81 send them north by the boats.
What buys our food and dresses :.
1.-The oyster beds. They are great
deal of care assure you"
"For you. You have the care OF
everything. Let me learn to help you
dear auntie; lie, me learn to be useful te
you"
And Adelaide grew busy, painstakine
and thrifty. She was dusting an old
cabinet one day when panel, which had
always seemed secure, slipped from. it
groove into her hand, showing a cavity
filled with compartments behind. lr
one was bit of folded yellow paper. Il
was not worth disturbing at first Ade
laide thought. At last with reluctant
curiosity she drew it forth, untolded i
and scanned its faded characters, and "a
she read her dark eyes dilated, her cheek:
paled, she caught her breath.
Aunt Resolve was counting out none!
on the library table. Suddenly Adelaide
all white and trembling, entered the
room, the paper in her hand. "WhaI
have you there
Aunt Resolve had grown suddenly
gha>tly at the sight of the faded scrap
She snatched at the girls wrist, aud drew
the paper toward her without touching
it. She saw ouly too clearly the minute
quaint characters, clear as print, thougl
the ink was faded. Then she pushet
Adelaide away and turned aside her face
The bewildered girl sat down upon th'
| fnotstonl at her feet