Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-03-29

I ~ ilttl Nt.C lphlA
Mile Caldwell was correct in her an
ticipa;i1u Of again meeting with Mr..
Charles Cray. The society Of the little
town was very gay and what with church
fans AMI parties, and other social amuse-
men;s. il was impossible that these two
should not be thrown together.
Nellie blushed, despite her utmost en-
deavoys to look unconscious, when Mr..
Gray was first presented to her; but the
gentleman was so cool and composed that
She actually doubted whether he had rec
ognized her.
He convcrsed with her little, danced
with her once, as she observed, was
chiefly interested in watching Nellie Area
er and Captain Lloyd. And Miss Archer
proud to show of her handsome cousin,
and her own influence over him, treated
/ him very swee,ly in the intervals of her
flirting with other admirers.
some weeks glii,l by, in which the ac-
qnain;ance between Miss Nellie Caldwell
and Mr. Gray imperceptably assumed a
more agreeable character.
/ Ills cold poliicness, AMI her equally
cool indifference gradually thawed, and
each vaguely fcl; that despite their mu-
/ tusl efforts 70 keep apart, there was some
thing which mys,osiously drew them to-
ge;het.
Nellie attributed this TO lie: sympathy
with his disappointment in regard TO his
cousin, and often expressed Iho wish that
the latter would love lin, az she was
sure he deserved, aud make him happy
by marrying him. !; was iHCNplicable
I to her that any gill could prefer Captain
Lloyd 90 Mr. Charlie Gray.
Neither had ever bat once alluded TO
/ their fr,. meeting.
Coming out of church one evening Miss
Archer said:
"Ne!lie, what have voa been doing
with yourself this last terribly rainy
week: Isn't such weather enough TO give
one the blues -
"Oh, no she answered, checrfully. 81
I Ike rainy days at home, and can always
| find something 20 amusc me =
"Eycn in The rain itself, said Nr.
7 Gray on the other side. "NEhat an en-
Uao.c disposition is yours, Miss Caldwell,
10 be able TO find tun in such situa-
tioa"
Nellie looked up quickly, and met the
| Lalfllughing glance bent upon her. In
stead Of answering Saiy back, as was
/ her wont, she c9lo-ej, and her eyes filed
with tcais.
Mr.. Gray" she said, as Miss Archer
/ fll behind with Captain Lloyd, IL want
yoa to foggo, that hateful walk in the rain
and never again alIude 70 il.
Il am not sure that could keep such
/ p-omisc-at least The iirs; part
That means that You haven't forgiven
me
y really do not fc.l as though I had
anything to forgive, or yoa to ask pardon
! iof, lie said, pleasantly
Il was vcry silly and wong, but you
/ see I have grown older and wiser since
said Nellie demuTcly.
If the increase Of wisdom i in proper
ton to that Of age" he commenced, but
was interrupted by Mrs. Archer.
"Nellie. are you and Charlie flirting !;
or what IS that mysterious whispering
about:'
1--WE are not flirting answered Mr..
GRAY, cody. Miss Caldwell does not
a.rt. have observed; and for myself
you know | detest it.
IL know You have some old-fashloned,
and absurd notions" rciorted his cousin,
laughing "One must be very prudish
and old-maidish to meet Your ideal Of
perfect womauhood, Charlie.
And again Nellie Caldwell felt con-
science-s,rickcn, remembering that un-
fortunate walk, and the impression which
her conduct must have produced on this
yegy particular young gentleman.
Some time after this, there was a PIC
mic at q picturesque old mill few miles
from town. Nellie Caldwell spent rather
a tircsome day, wondering why 1t was
TIA. she could no; enjoy herself as usual,
and cnvying Nellie Archer in her high
spirits. To-day, at least, she observed,
she and Mr.. Gray seemed to be getting
aloGg unusually well together, she ap-
pearel radiant, and he seraacly happy.
~ wonder if they are engaged: - she
thought, and did not feel nearly 50 eleted
as she ought to have done at the proba-
bility Of such a consumma;ion.
He sought her out occasionally, bat
| had little to say, seeming to prefer re-
clining at her feet on the turf beneath the
willows, looking dreaminglyo on the water,
or into her face, as sae taxed.
Several young ladies observed that
: they both looked yc'y stuPi! and unin-
tercstcd a, each other.
IS the evening waxed late, there was
sudden stir among the company. II
was certainly going to laiu, some wealth
er-wise prophet had declared, and the
elder portion Of the company, at least,
were anxious to get safely under shelter
before the shower came.
Mrs. Caldwell collected her dessert
spoons and her daughters, who had come
with her in the family carriage.
why, Nellie" said one of her COM
panions, "you are surely not going Sc
soon. It would spoil the party, and be-
sides, YOU viii miss the plantation songs
and yoar favorite Virginia reel.
, Mr.. Gray stepped forward.
Would Miss Nellie accept seat in hi:
buggy: and would Mrs. Caldwell intrus