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

'ioi oht ShauSc tWlCep Uut Cdu tcll
you where; you will have TO learn tina,
on the road" went on his new friend
Then with gleam Of fun in her noble
face: q" Goodbye, Mr.. Dent don't lose
your way. Merton, so have always
heard, is very hard place to get away
FROM"
So, indeed, Alex. found it. A long
day, slow, jolting railway travel, with
continual stops and frequent changes,
ending with drive of miles over sandy
roads, brought him to Merton; and,
once there, he was in no hurry to come
away.
Evelyn Morris at twenty-nine was no
less charming in his eyes than in the
early bloom Of sixteen. Nay, time had
lent further charm, soft courage, rip
ened gentleness, and amid the simple re-
fnement Of her surroundings her beauty
beamed with added lustre. Alex. gazed
at her with a wonderment which he could
hardly conceal. BY what inconceivable
good fortune had this lovely creature re-
mained till twenty mine unmarried! 1t
could not be for lack of suitors. Even if
like the poets star, confined in tomb, !"
some eye, he was sure, must detect and
covet the treasure What happy chance
had saved her for him: That was ques-
tion which he longed to ask, but dared
not yet
In single week all the friendly rela-
tions Of old times seemed restored. Alex
secured a lodging in the village and spent
as many hours a day as he dared in the
socie.y of his love. Always the same
gentle welcome met him as he sat by
Evelyn and she wrought at her dainty
handicraft their talk bridged the long
interval Of separation and the old time
sense Of intimacy revived, blent with
new fascination as each recognized in the
other the qualities which ten years had
matured and unfolded. Day by day
Alexis hopes strengthened, but with the
misgivings of a true lover he delayed,
loath to break the blessed peace and GER
tainty of the moment by rash or pre-.
mature word. At last he spoke, taking
the dinner card for his text.
"You see," he ended, "this was my
clew. 1t helped me to find you. And
now that have found, | will not believe
that must lose you again. Have loved
you for ten years, without daring to hope
tlat should ever have the chance to
speak to my love. Now, Evelyn dearest,
tell my fate.
She did not answer in words, but she
put her hands in his, and her eyes were
full of tears. He drew his arm round
the slender waist, and as he stopped for
his first lovers kiss, she murmured, "at
last :"
"At last y he said surprised.
"At last :" she repeated. Oh, dear
Alex, foolish Alex. Did you never guess
that whe you went away so long ago
you carried my heart with you ~ Then
while he stood amazed, "A woman can
never speak" she continued, though
her heart break, she can not show what
she feels"
"Wten we parted that day, felt that
must wait till you came back to me
and have waited, though dared not
hope that you would come. | waited
because could do no less than wait
and you have come" "Are you in ear
nest; Oh, what a blind fool | have
BEEN groaned Alex. 81 could have
come back five years sooner had | dared
to hope. Evelyn, we have lost five years
of happiness.
dearest, why talk of that: You are
here now, and we are still young enough
to be happy for long time together, if
God let's us live our lives out. | am not
old or wrinkled yet, and see no grey
hairs in that beard of yours" raising her
happy eyes to his face.
30 blessed little scrap Of silk :" ex-
claimed Alex, apostrophizing the dinner
card as it lay on the table, where should
be now except for your help: How
much have to thank you for No cards
indeed Evelyn, when we have our we'd
ding, we will have hundreds, thousands
of cards. We will send them flying all
over the land, and advertise our happi-
ness by whole reams of pasteboard, in
honor of the fact that it to dinner card
that we owe it that after ten years mis-
take, we have found each other out, and
are the happiest people in the world.