Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-02-07

to-dsy-jus: as it is now, mean-could
last forever. Tomorrow, perhaps, you
may speak Of that, not before, as you
love me, Ned"
Then you are not hopeful ~ sighed
Ned.
Hopeful, oh, no, no; so far from
hopeful But, oh, Ned, hush" He
felt, under the sleigh robe, her little
hands quick pressure of his. "Let us
just be happy this beautiful day, that
seems to rub out everything with its
white gloved hand. | love these blue
and white winter days. Every one loves
contrast, you know and, Ned, the colors
of my life arc not these light, gentle col
ors just now
That evening, when Dolly was dressed
for the German in her delicate gown OF
pink gauze and wreath OF blushroses, two
notes were brought to her almost simul-
taueously; one on silver salver by Jaques
who was dismissed Immediately, and the
other produced, with some perturbation,
from an apron pocket 10y Patty, who de-
youtly fingered.
Dolly had just reached the landing of
the upper stair case, on her way down to
the drawing room, when these messages
reached her, aud she stood in the arch Of
the stained glass window-where Patty
has to light the bracket lamp-and read
them both. The FIRST, on layender-tinted
paper, was monogram tricOlorcd, was
from EuStace Hurd
/ Dear Miss Derwcnt-At last have the
permission OF your mother 70 say 10 you q
/ few word ds+hat have long wished to say,
aud that have only been suppreSsedin In con
sderaIion of your youth aud iuexpericnce
until thi, hour. VIII you grant me the in
dulgent favor 10 conc into the library log
u moment before the dancer
Your devoted.
EUsTACE IIUKD.
The other no.e-on papa $ business pa
per-was from Ned Berton.
My Darling Augel-I have done exact
/ Is ss YOU told me--tt least in regard TO
your father. thousand blessings on that
[ iuSpiriug little card, which | have worn
upon my heart all day. On, Dolly, but for
your divine courage | should have yielded
to despair.
4" ! our father has given me permission 20
address you. Meet me one moment. dear
est, before the dance, in the library. just to
let me look az you and Kiss your hand.
promise not 10 say word Of that til to
morrow.
Your own, NED"
Miss Dolly just turned white and
red, like a four.o' clock posy,' said Patty,
describing the scene afterward. And
then when she thought | didn't see, she
kissed Mr.. Ned's note, and she said 70
herseli-like: But what can he mean
about the card-the inspiring little card
| don't understand this And then
said, oh, Miss Dolly, do send some an
swer quick to Mr.. Ned, for he's walking
Up aud down the piazza this freezing
night without an overcoat. And she
says, 60 tell him will And ran
mighty quick-for Ned may thank me
that he did not catch his death of cold
and told him wha, she said, and he cried
out. Bless you, Patty! YOU are good
girl, Patty And he gave me-but |
didn', do i: for that. And my amt he
strong young gentleman; and jus, the
one for Miss Dolly"
What can he mean about the
card:" thought Dolly again, as. SO ab-
sorbed in Ned's surprising note that she
quite forgot the other, she went musing-
Is down.
For, in fact, the card was a simple
memorandum made a year ago. But
until months after the prcsen, pregnant
February 10, to which j. proved such an
exciting precipitator, did Ned Berton
know that the writing had been made
upon he white surface. oblivious Of the
other side of the crested card. By his i'm
pulsive little lady-love one day when,
with her most intimate friend as witness,
and with her own written terms to serve
for soemnity, Ike a sworn signature, she
determined to ask her mother, and, in
case Of denial there, to coax her indul-
gent father "for black silk gown with
train. and trimmed with Chantilly, like
Miss Austen" s"-a style of costume al
ready pronounced "too old for a school
girl. Could it be possible that fate in
caprice destined the girlish demand to be
answered not by black silk, bu. by
pearl-white wedding gown: Time alone
could tell.
Flushed and radiant, and with but one
thought in her heart, Dolly glided down
the stairs and entered the library. But
she recoiled with astonishment when
Mr.. Hurd, alert with expectation, step.
ped briskly forward. and lifting her hand
to his lips, kissed the finger tips devotion
ally.
Ned Berton, at the instant entering the
door behind Dolly, saw the complacent
face of his rival, and his assurance in the
little act of gallantry. Springing for
ward he laid his hand authoritatively and
possessively upon Dolly's shoulder
Mr.. Hurd drew himself erect, and his
inquiring stare changed to undisguised
animosity as he encountered Ned's blaz-
ing eyes.
What does this mean, sir" he de-
manded.
1t means that Miss Derwent came
here to see me-" said Ned.
You are mistaken, sir" answered
Eustace Hurd, haughtily Miss Der
wen: came here in response to my solicit
alton"
The mems voices were loud and angry;
A.. n.=...-A IL: