Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-02-28
MIZPAH.

MIZPAH.
The Rev. Leonard Austin was seated
NJ luxurious breakfast in his comfort
ale bachelor establishment, but for
the tine being not alone his aunt.
fashionable New York lady, and his
cousin Elaine, belle and heireSs in her
p.n right, were his guests Miss Elaine
ygss his Wis avis in q rose COloIed cash
mere morning robe. with a vatican plat,
a costume that exsctly hsrmouized with
her dark, statueslue beauty and regal
stvle. She was triAing with the amber
coffee in her delicate and costly cup
and looking at her cousIn-by marriage
from under dark dropping lashes
Their ewes met, bat Elaine was an adep,
in Irritation, and the Rev. Leonard did
not understand il az all, so neither was
in the least embarrassed. Aud yet she
WAS critically examining and weighing
him, noticing his elegant velvet dress
ing gown, his soft white hands. the sir
habitual Of luxury about him, and say
ing 70 herself His Master had not
where to Law His head y
The Rev. Mr.. Austin had approved OF
his cousin in one comprehensive glance,
ard was asking himself:
"Shall l marry her? She is hand
some. well educated and an heiress-
has been well brought Up, and would do
me credit as u wife, but"
sAnd how 10 Won like the place.
Leonardo" Mrs. Eemicke broke the
silence by asking.
TIE Rev. Mr.. Armstrong shrugged
his shoulders. The people are poor
and stupid True, l have time for
study and there are few good families
here with whom find coageniaI asscci-
alton. Otherwise it would be very
dull"
"But Won work" interrupted his
cousin, "You must take much pleasure
in that"
"Ya-s-s." smothering a yawn, "of
course l Try TO DO my duty, but all
flowers Of rhetoric are wasted on these
people and IS only plain talk is under
stood by them, have not much scope
for nv intellect"
"Whv did Won bring your talents
here - asked Elaine, with just q tone
Of sarcasm in her voice.
The place IS merely q stepping stone
70 something better" replied her cousin
as he rose from the table, q fine, stately
man. with the ease ard Snce Of
centuries Of culture in his manner.
10 passed ont 70 the small study in
the hack q the little Gothic stone
,lu-5b, where he held ont the bread OF
lfe toe handful Of people, and Elaine
went up s.airs 70 shake out the folds OF
her rich dress es, and fad some flannel
costume that was suitable 70 this village
life, which she had entered upon as q
change from Saratoga and Long Branch.
She Was not exactly tired of life, the
bright, viyacious. interesting young
woman, bat she was tired of
her life among fashions and
in the train Of folly. She felt a
cspabihty within her Of doing some
great work, hat feared to offend her
friends and make herself ridiculous.
This cousin had been her pet companion
in DAYS long past, and when he wrote
asking her mother TO come and bring
her for the summer, she was pleased TO
renew their friendship-perhaps she
thought it might prove 70 be more
than friendship.
She was disappointed she found him
living in luxury. surrounded 10y Just
such beautiful things as she had always
seen, and with the soft eifeminate
manner Of one who expected to
"le carried Q. the skies
Ol-fuvcry beds % case =
not a soldier of the Cross, as she had
hoped TO find. She never thought OF
the incOngrJIi.v between her wishes and
herself-sh knew she wanted a leader,
and had not found one.
Mrs. Eenicke plunged at once into
domestic details, and left Elaine 10 &C
where she pleased ; so Late in the morn
ing, clad in q single short dress OF navy
blue cloth, with plumed sun hat 10
match, she suollsd cut and soon found
ker way 10 the church.
2. ~ - reached it, she heard the
low roll Of the organ all snatch OF
sweet sacred music filled the air and
sank deep into her soul. 1t was wave
Of sweetest melody embodying Il
tender communion with the Unseen.
1t was a bUrdeL rolling from the heart,
and dying away in an inspired sigh, the
tears came INTO Elaine's eyes.
"And I thought him cold, selfish,
fond Of pleasure. When he can Civ"
such expression to his soul as that, /
will never touch the organ when he Is
neat"
She entered the open side door, and
climbed noiselessly into the organ lof'.
Yes, in the gloom of the Swallowed light
she could Just discern him. The last
notes were reverberating through the
hushed and vaulted space as she laid
her hand softly on his shoulder.
"Iou have given me zeal pleasure,
cousin. / can never listen to ordinary
music again. beg your pardon.
For il was the face of stranger that
was turned toward her; pale. intel
lectual face, as unlike the tiorid coun-
tenanee Of Leonard Austin IS could
possibly be imagined.
4 Ia oai1