Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-07-18

love, this young Alex. Dent OF ten years
ago but he was wise beyond the fervo
of his years, and he had calmly reviewe
the situation.
Why should he trouble this exquisit
creature with what must prove only vai
complaint-an empty appeal' As wei
ask some bright particular planet to com
to earth and serve for illumination to I
mud hovel as to ask her to share his un
certain fate. So he sailed away, NJ
words spoken, and carrying with him tn
bitter conviction that good luck, if i
came at all, would come too late for an,
hope of winning this one chief good
which his heart craved.
Good luck came in its own time. II,
stood again in New York at 81, a ricl
man, prospered beyond his widest dreams
and holding an assured position. H'
had liked many girls during his absence
he had even been half in love with one
or two: but the memory of Evelyn Nor,
ris had been spell potent enough to pre-
vent him overlapping the other half. He
was free still-a freedom he had hardly
rejoiced in till this day, when in his in
credulous ears rang the news that his
early love was still unmarried.
For two or three days after the Hunt,
ley dinner he went about like man in a
dream. He inquired here, he inquired
there. Everybody was ready enough
with histories of the great forgery, but no
one could tell him anything about the
Edward Morrisses or their whereabouts.
The Robert Morrisses were in Europe,
living under cloud, no one exactly knew
where. Bat what seemed fatality, all
the families whom he recollected as init
mate with the Morrisses were abroad
just then, or in Florida, or scattered by
the changes which ten years had wrought.
No one seemed TO acquit themselves
with the movements of the ruined family.
The little ripple caused by their depar.
ture soon subsided. People easily forget
in the busy life of cities, and all this had
happened nine years before
In despair Alex. Dent at last betook
himself to the rooms of the Decorative
Art society and produced his dinner card.
Could they tell him the name and address
Of the person who had paint ed that: He
was anxious to-to order some like it.
IL will take your order sir" said the
business like young secretary. 'You
will please give me your name and ad-
dress"
But this was by no means what Alex.
wan ed.
Thanks; but should prefer to COM
municate directly with the artist" Then
seeing a surprised displeasurc in the
face suddenly turned upon him, he made
haste to add, 1.-The order will of course
be given in the usual way, through the
society, but it is indispensable that |
should have a personal interview with
the designer.
The young secretary looked puzzled.
She pped her book with pencil ard
" 5 silent for moment. evidently bal
ancing the properties. Then as the door
ope led, she exclaimed, with sudden re-
relief, "Oh, there's Mrs. Curtis now ex-
cuse me a moment and III ask her" and
hurried across the room,
Presently the newcomer walked up
to Alex Dent.
Miss Dunn tells me that you are de-
sirous of an interview with one of our
on the subject Of dining
cards" she said. Personal interviews
are not usual in such commissions, nor
are they at all necessary-if the cards are
really all you wish to talk aJout;" and
the lady flashed upon him magnificent
pair of Irish eyes, blue, with black lashes,
and full of the peculiar fascination which
sometimes accompanies the possession of
short sight. Il can furnish you with
set of cards on silks, painted by the same
person, and exactly like these, but with
different subjects, which We happen to
nave for sale at this moment. Will that
answer your purpose =
There was mingled archness and soft
sweetness in the manner which was infn-
tely cep. .ivating, and which won Alex.
% sudden confidence.
No, that will not answer at all, he
said. 81 do not care specially about the
ards, but am anxious to see the artist,
and verify suspicion l have that she is
.u old friend of mine
He was amazed afterward when he re-
nembered his own frankness of speech.
The lady listened with an interest which
seemed to divine meaning beyond his
words.
Il will be frank in my turn" she said
1t last, her beautiful eyes FULL Of the SYM
oathy which love tale, revealed or sus-
oected, always excites in true woman.
: Evelyn Morris did paint these cards.
She was a favorite Of mine always, and
when this society was started wrote,
lrging her to turn her talent for painting
o account through us. They are great
y reduced in circumstances, as you may
nave heard, and she was glad to take my
advice. Their quiet life gives her plen-
y of leisure, and her things always sell,
hey are so choice and SO exquisitely
lone"
Indeed, l should think 50. Where
10 the family live"
81 think | may tell you, though they
prefer to keep their retreat secret from
most people. 1t is at Merton, village
in southern New Jersey. 1t is an out OF
he way place. You have to take three
railroads to get there, and there is long
lrive besides. wish you might have
-. a. 90 1oyn on1 saa thayn They