Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-08-23


Aunt Goodenough, an excellent old lady,
who came hobbling along In her big bonnet
aud spectacles. After passing diii'use com.
pliments and discoursing with considerable
prolixity upon the weather and the rheum'
atism with cognate ills, Aunt Sally proceed
ell TO remark:
"wclI, doctor, expect If we was young
we should be going to the picnic along
with the boys and girls"
DR.. Stone plainly WINGED.
Young, do you sayy am sure never
was more vigorous than am at present.
| don't think you ever saw gray hair In
my head. aunt Sally had been purblind
for years.. Young. indeed. There isn't a
fresher, gayer young man In these parts.
I think have done myself an injustice In
allowing the grave cares of business TO
force me into undue sobrlety, and have
determined To assume my proper character,
aud shall begin by going To the picnic.
A smile of intense astonishment broke
over the benevolent countenancc of Aunt
Sally, and an additional point painfully
stimulated her curiosity.
"Oh. Ia, now, always said you would
take Z, ggy Williams
Miss Williams, indeed. Why, she Is
old enough 10 BE- my mo-that Is, very
deserving lady. but not quite suited 10 my
years A girl oftwenty would DO very well.
81 see you going up street with Molly
Brown. little while ago. Now, II she
wasn't engaged should say twas her,
suggested the distressed Amt Sally.
There j. no reason why she shouldn't
he guided by her own preference" returned
the doctor. modestly; and am quite will
ing you should know in confidence, Mrs.
Goodenough-we are old friends and can
trust you-that Miss Brown Is the lady. !
am sure youll say there isn't prettier one
in the village. Remember trust you with
q secret
at shan't be made public" gasped Aunt
Sally But I'm SO tired guess III go in
and see how Miss Simpsons foot gets
along" And the worthy old woman shot
through the next gateway and into snug
brown house, where dwelt one Of her cs-
teemed cOmpeers.
Aunt Sally was as good as her word. She
didn't make the doctors secret public, but
this unexpected and startling revolution IN
affairs was discussed sub rosa, In not less
than n dozen places before the evening bell.
Upon the morrow Harry Lanes ears were
aSsailcd by strange intelligence. The ru-
NOR was confirmed by innuendo and jest
from every idle ncighbor who came along,
and, as the forenoon wore away, began To
assume TO his comprehension 4 very dcli-
mite aud portcntOus aspect. The doctor
had wealth and reputation, and was In the
prime OF life. Molly was as good and beau
tiful A. an angel. Harry planed panel till
he could see through II. Such consideration
and destruction were uncomfortable. The
young carpenter made neat toilet aud was
at the school promptly at four. But his
rivals steed was paving the earth close by
the entrance. As soon AS Harry could make
his way through the noisy, dispensing chill
dren, he entered the schoolroom. There
he found Molly pouring over her desk, and
the doctor beside her saying, Heaven knows
what, To- call up such smiles and bushes. IT
they had seen Harry coming they could have
tormcntcd him not more. For once In his
life Harry felt awkward. His first impulse
was TO knock the doctor To the floor, the
next 10 snatch Molly away and run for 1t /;
but not quite clear about performing any
rash exploit, he stood lrresolute, hesitatiug
and little foolish.
u
doctor, rs he helped the teacher put away
her books aud papers. GAN ready for the
sport tomorrow, dare say2 Let me lay
your shawl on, Miss Brown We haven't
any time 10 spend here"
q Where are they golngi" thought iIsr-
~, as Molly prepared 10 leave with DR.
Stone. Matters looked desperate, and he
made plunge.
III at Ax y. a., call
early tomorrow mosplDg. We shall want
TO be on the ground in'good season
Mol J laughed and shook her wicked ourls.
Il am so happy as TO have secured the
companionship p OF Miss Rrown for my own
drive to Green Valley remarked the doc
tor with exceeding complacency. But,
really, shall not allow you 10 Jest with
my lady in this manner. Or course you
could not expect to obtain the belle OF the
village by such tardy invitation"
DR.. Stone conducted Molly 70 the chalse
and gently put her In with a protective
manner which made Harry clench his teeth
then with parting salutatlon TO the
forlorn lover, drove down the pebbly road
like young Jehu.
Harry was left on the doorstep 10 digest
affairs as he might, and afterward 10 go
home and sing with his Cousin Clara. He
went alone that evening 10 see Molly, but
she was stlll away and would not return
until late hour, having gone TO the next
town 10 take tea with one OF her relatives,
who was also a patient or DR.. stones.
Mrs. Brown told him 1t would not be worth
his while TO wait. Harry sought his cham
Der In u most melancholy mood, and passed
q sleepless night in denouncing his folly and
Cousin Clara, and In estlmatingth the advanta'
ges aud probabilities In favor or DR.. Stone.
Saturday came, and the oak grove al
Green Valley rung with sport and merrl-
ment. or all the fair forms that ilitted
here and there over the sunny slopes, down
by the brookside or up among the flowery
hedges, Molly Brown was the most brilliant
aud Joyous. Her snowy dress glanced, heI
lingleis shook OF the light, and her sweet
voice made gladness everywhere. DR.. Stone
was ever at her side, aud by his genial hu
NOR and inexhaustible fun woke more
laughter among the restless groups who
attended him than the echoes at Greer
Valley ever before heard. Clara Evan:
was completely eclipsed, and Harry wa:
dim and doleful. He had scarcely beer
able to speak to Molly during the long
weary uay, auu 10 See her thus was not u
all consoling or inspiriting.
As night drew near, and the young peo
pie were about returning, there was new
arrival upon the ground. A chronic pa
tient of DIR. Stones had found him ont
and with much amaZement solicited g
brief consultation. IL SO happened that a
the party was broken up and scattered IL
various directions TO prepare for the com
ing ride, Molly was left alone. Harry drew
near with trouble in his eye.
"What has happened, Molly dear, tha
we should be here as We are TO day!'
Molly laughed according TO directions
but not very merrily.
"Can you forgive me, Molly?'
She did not answer, for the doctor, quit
breathless, stepped in between them.
.'Our horses are waiting, Mr.. Lane,
q MI saving that he took M0liv's arm with