Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-05-30

the door open, lifted the latch, when al
once it yielded to my touch. As pass
ed within the green baize doors within
the porch, heard the sound Of the or
gan so stealing quietly into the grateful
shade and coolness Of the church, en-
sconced myself in the biggest pew could
find and listened. How soothing was
the effect Of the music and surroundings
on that glorious day. could not see
the player, who was concealed by the
curtains in front the organ-loft. but in-
tuitively l guessed it was lady who
played. l imagined t at only woman
delicate touch could have made the SKY
rie' speak in these tones and there was
more gentleness than power in the "St"-
bat Mater" into which the player glided
Then remember the wedding March
succeeding; and after half an hours pri-
vate hearing Of the master, quietly slip
ped out OF the church, once again into
the glad sunlight that played around the
graves,ones, and made the world so fair
to see.
After lunching at my hotel, the Rid
Lion, went to see DR.. Jim. Itappear-
ed that the fair player Of the church was
Miss Spalding, and the only daughter
of a well-to-do and retired merchant who
had settled at Rockhampton some elgh-
teen months before, and jim, found,
had been paying his addresses to the
young lady. Her father had married
for the second time and had thus given
Miss Spalding a step-mo,her. The old
gentleman, as Jim called him, was an
easy. going man, kind hearted in every
way. generous to fault, and looked
kindly enough on DR.. Jim's suit. But
q, to Mrs. Spalding, Jim pronounced &
decidedly unfavOrable opinion. She was
an ambitious, and, as he expressed it,
scheming woman, who thought that Nell
" should look somewhat higher than DIR.
Brooke of Rockhampton-and that she
should at least marry money-with which
latter cammodity Jim was, as young
doctor, of course by no means over bur-
dened. Without actually discouraging
Jim's attentions, Mrs. Spalding made
things decidedly unpleasant for the low
ers. Mr.. Spalding, good easy man, was
completely under the dominion OF his
wife. Hence, Jim confessed, he was in
a somewhat unsettled state of mind.
"You see, Regy," said Jim, NELLY
will not disobey her parents in any way.
That she cares for me she has confessed
to me more than once. But when
press her to consent TO be married al
once, and to make me happy she won't
hear Of it.
my dear Jim," l responded, in my
new-found capacity Of, counsellor aut'
friend, "she is no, the first girl who has
had to struggle between 1--we and duty
or at least wha. she conceives to be hei
duty"
"She is so thoroughly conscientious
replied Jim, "that fear ev.,n to press
her to take the step which would make
happy man for life. When | ask heI
in despair whether she will ever choose
between her stepmother's wishes and my
love, she implores me not to tempt her
and so," added Jim, "here am / {: miser
able as need be-
All this interested me exec edingly
She was evidently girl Of sterling worth
and with high sense Of the duty she be
lieved she owed to her parents wishes
| thought over master Jim's love atfai
as lay in bed that night, and came to TIT
conclusion that Miss Spaldings love 10
my old friend ought to be tested ant
tried in some other way. As my tHpe
rience of hum an nature goes, there sc EN-
nothing like putting love, Of all hui "a
emotions. to some rigid test. But hO'
the test co aid be applied to the case IL
which l mad thus been led to feel a spe'
cial inter- st knew not.
/ conf, ssed as | rolled over to sleeE
that did not see my way clear to helE
them. Little did think that the NOR
row wss to bring the means and th'
man. The man was Josiah Blagden
ESQUIRE, iron founder Of the firm Of Blag
den. BiSge & Co., of Birming ham and
elsewhere the means was my humble
self.
The day after my arrival at Rock
hampton Jim proposed that 1 shoule
drive with him on his morning round
and added he: "We'll call at Noun
Grove on our way home" Mount Grove
was the reside nee of Mr.. Spalding ane
2 o'clock found US at the gate Of yer,
nice villa residence, overlooking the river
and standip within its own nicely KEEP