Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-03-21

she will never ID while her life slides
on so smoothly. No wonder single
blcssedness looks delightful to her
hsli dozen devoted slaves always a.
her command, and myself the greatest
BOBBY OF the los! Well. suppose We
/ disturb tho evenness OF the current q
little, and see what will come Of itp'
/ That evening the pleasant parlor OF
Laurie Morton's hospitable home was
brilliant with light and music, and her
lister Kate, the villful seamstress OF
he morning, was entertaining, in
charming fashion, party OF gay Young
friends, herself the most attractive and
admired Of the group.
Jack Brandon fingered about her,
with his usual halfcareless, half-de-
sOted manner. save that tonight there
was a preoccupisd air sbclt him,
so different from bis natural sunny
gayety of disposition that Katesoon be-
gan TO rally BIN upon it.
ITO tell the truth. Kate" said he. 81
have been thinking all day of what you
said this morning. IT, you really mean
all Won say"
"Mean itr she interrupted, indig-
nantly. "Oi course I mean il Have
ever given you, or any one else. any
reason TO suppose did notY'
No, can't say that you have" adj
United Jack, ruefully. "But, as was
saying, II you really never intend TO be
married, Why, there's no use in fellow
making fool q himself for your sake
forever. - must seek elsewhere for
tho love which iooIishly believed you
would grant me some day. OF course,
a Girl knows best what will make her
happy, and l won't annoy You any more
about the subject Bat we must always
be good friends. Kate. even though you
won't marry me.
With ali nv heart, Jach!" said Kate,
q little huskily. giving him her hGld.
"You are the most sensible mai OF my
acquaintance. No doubt there ale plenty
Of other girls who would be only to glad
10 resign their freedom and become
Mrs. Jack Brandon"
"Oh, l shouldn't wonder" returned
Jack, conplacently (the hypocrite y
"onlv, YOU see, NV preference FOR your
self made NE blind 10 their charms.
However, | must now make up for lost
time, since nature never intended me
for bachelor"
And with one Of bis brightest, friend
hest smiles. Jack nodded a pleasant
~ rfr0ir, aud sauntered across the room
10 the vicinity Cf Rachel Bowen, Young
lady who had slaays ranked next &c
Kate in Mr.. BandOn's warme't regards
How coolly BE- takes it !" thought
Kate, her glance following his move
rea.s with Little surprise which she
could not quite conceal. "Of course, l
never meant % marry him, though he's
cool enough for any woman LIVING.
Still, must say. / never dreamed OF
his ever growing tiIed OF the situation
So the weeks went 10y. JACK BrAuc OF
called upon kste frequently, bat she
Vas 10 longer bored bS any loverlke
demonstrations. On the contrary, lie
WAS so entirely and simply the 1jsin,e,-
csted friend that she often fond herself
longing for soue OF hjs old fond 81 noes
some oi those countless iLdiCa IONS, in
tone aud manner, that she vas more to
him than al CthtIs. But none ever
: came. Never did one OF Crpid's slaves
shake of bis eilied letters so easily,
and with such graceful COOL nature, as
dill tie once tircsomei devoted jack.
Occasionally he brought Rachel
Boweu's name ilto The conversation,
quite casually, but with certain air
which showed tia. she was fast Ga! ing
deep hold upCl lis interest. And IN
these days il vas rot hsnuo->Ae saucy
Kate WISE who received Jacks
invitations to party and thcatcr, or who
rode behind the musical jingle Of his
sleigh bells, tucked Up IL warm fur
robes, . the nsit!est little cutter the
town CJLr (lsst OF.
Oh, 10 u w. pretty, winsome, dove
like Rachel Bowen who carried of al
these honors, AID Who evidently CT
loved il to the utmost, too. Kate was
rallied numerically about the sudden
detection Of hey chef admirer and
the worst Of l. WAS tina. nobody seemed
10 think Of h,m as her rejected lover.
Size could NJ. even have that triumph.
for she vas too proud to intimate such
4 thing. herself, and Jacks demeanor
WAS such that 10 enc conld possibly
inagine him 20 be disappointed swain.
So. though deeply chGgriled az heart,
she bore the situation bravery, and
pleasantly Joined il the laugh at her
own expense.
But a time came wLcn Hates laughter
changed 10 tears at least, in the soil
tude of her own room. jack Brandon
had broken Liz arm, ana lad been taken
~ once 90 Mrs. BOCen'S motEerly roof
10 be cared for. DaY after day Kate
pictured her pretty rival bending gently
over the handsome sl1es sc, soothing
his rain, and rendering herself dearcI
10 his heart each p4ssiuZ hour.
l. vas now that She most keenly
realized what sweet rriviiege she had
thrown avav. To re ssck's handsome,
sunny face daily bright ming her home
had been such ccrmca thinS that she
Lad thought nothing o; 1t; but OF late
she had come 20 treasure up every word
or glance Of his IS som thing precious,
snd row 1t was Rachel WHO WAS always
TO be blessed with those loving looks,
those radiant smiles! To be sure
Kate would still have her glorious free
dom, bat, elasl what was freedom
without Jack?
IN the midst Of her grief she was one
DAY surprised by summons 20 jaekf
bedside. and it came from Rachel he1'
self. -
"Pcor Jack seems ont Of his head,
she said. "ard as YOU and ne were speh
GOOD friends, l thought You wouldn't
mind helping US to watch with Lin oc'
cssionally."
"Wouldn't mindp Kate's heart was
throbbing to suffocation as she stood
bv tha co1eh and looked down upon the /