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

sighted beauties. dotted the witchery Of
her smiles and winning speeches, assum-
ing a repelling and almost defiant air, and
thus unwittingly resigned the whole field
to her rival.
AS all this happened in community
of excellent persons, not behind any other
rural district in active, mutual sympathy
and neighborly sentiment, there was
plenty of speculation abroad respecting it.
A trio of individuals being Immediately
concerned, there were at least tn rec sides
to the question. and old grudges and
whims and predictions rapidly ma rshaled
the good people into their respective par
ties, and the clamor of tongues soon grew
Z" fast and furious" reaching all ears but
those with which it had most to do.
Molly was so certain that her woes had
been unobserved that she was completely
surprised one evening by an event which
gave new direction to her con,emp la
tons. She had sent away her scholars
and was mournfully leaving the school
house, expecting one of those dreary, sol
itary evenings at home, when she came
into collision upon the Threshold wit h
no less Il parsonage than DR.. Stone.
Il am not shadow that you should
think TO walk through me in this fashion,
Miss Brown"
Molly profered has,y apology to The
smiling, subs stan,ial gentleman before
her, who for bachelor Of forty. five, pos
sessed a very poI,ly and comfortable as
pect.
If YOU have leisure, Miss Brown,
he continued, "plcase walk up the street
with me. | wish TO confer with you con-
cerning little business"
The doctor was the school committee.
There" thought Molly, almost cry
ing. Il suppose ,fat my school has
been going wrong with all the rest, and
now must listen to certain animadver-
sions on my stupidity. lie might have
chosen a more retired place to read me II
lecture"
But there was not a particle of reproot
in the doctors countenance, which withal
was very handsome, as he inquired if
Miss Brown had been invited to the pic
mic which was 10 be held in famous
grove six miles distant, on the ensuing
Saturday. Molly did not reply at once,
for she was ashamed TO confess that she
had been neglected; and yet Harry had
no, said word to her about it. The
tears came into her eyes, and she was
much distressed.
Il do not wish to trouble YOU" said
the doctor, kindly, land if you will par
don the very great liberty am about to
take, | think can render you en- impor-
tant service. have observed that your
affairs are becoming somewhat compli-
Gated, and imagine that the active in.
terposition of an old friend would relieve
the embarrassment directly. To speak
plainly, your Harry seems strangely af-
fected, is in decided morbid condition
we understand how it is-and it is my
opinion tha. nothing short Of TT o!
jealousy will get the delir!um Gu, Of his
head. His heart is all right yet, will
ansver for that
Molly drew hsraelf up with an ale OF
offended dignity, and stammered some.
thing about there being no occasion-she
vas satisfied. and nobody else need
Tut. tut said DR.. Stone, 81 have
deliberately undertaken to serve you and
shall not be deferred except by very
clear and emphatic reasons. There is nc
sense in letting Harry go on so. That
wild and unprincipled girl, Clara Evans
is doing her best to draw net over him
! She is playing a high game and may win.
Such thing is possible, and it will avail
neither him nor you anything If he finds
ne has been mistaken when IL is too late.
Here the doctor paused, and looked SC
long aud pensively down upon the grass!
path tina, Molly was convinced that the
popular suspicion which had attached it
self to his previous history, and which
. affected to account for his protraoted Gel
ibacy. was not wholly unauthorized. Hel
heart suddenly opened to him when she
! thought il not unlikely that ne had beer
, the victim of such arts is were destroying
her peace.
, I" am older than you are, Molly" ht
continued, sand have seen more of life
and therefore my advice may claim you
, attention. As ! said, nothing else thar
fit of jealousy will give Harry his wit
t agsin. Let him see that there is chanc
Of losing you, and his flashing cousin ma,
20 home again suddenly. Ill wager h
, hasn't said a word to you about the pic
J mic, and there isn't girl who hasn't re
, ceived her invitation three days ago. Mis-
5 Clara will tell him it is sufficient just t.
D let you have time to put your bonnet on
5 and that's all the ceremony they'll stan'
J upon"
Molly burst into tears,
t "Tut, tut don't love to see littl
o girls cry so wipe your eyes, and we vii
1 speedily set the tide the other way.
t haven't been with the young people thes
s many years, but with an excellent objec
J in view l am happy to depart from m
=. usual custom, and if you will accept
: conceited old beau like myself I'll TAX
t you down to Green Valley on Saturda,,
with my Aeetest horse, and well max
n quite an impression
r "What will people say" inquired
r Molly, but half persuaded.
Z "What we wish to have them say i
q that you have given Harry the go-by, ant
: that | intend to settle down like othe