Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-04-25

The Westinghouse was full. and the
next day the DixvilIe paper declared the
lecture to have been a most soulful and
eloquent dissertation. but Mrs. Apple
/ dore's attention wandered, and she only
knew that the entertainment was about
to be concluded by DR.. Ollapod's sonor-
Gus call for ''moosic."
II am delighted" said Prof. St. Clair
Smith. bowling low before her rs soon as
possible after the ''moosic." IL never
/ heard such delicious voice"
The night after the lecture was very
stormy one, and Mrs. Applcdore was
slowly twisting her hair in crimping-
/ pins wi en- the door-bell rang. Il could
not endure the Loneliness of the hotel.
dear Mrs. Appledore,' said Prof. St.
Clair Smith, making courtly bow. land
have come to beg for one song
Song succeeded song till the professor
proposed duets. and Mrs. Appledore en-
ioyed the music so much that il was
midnight before she knew il.
Two months passed away. The pro-
fessor came almost every evening. He
had hired small house little out OF
town tina, he might be undisturbed he
explained, and relative had come to
keep house for him. lie did not know
how long he should remain in Dixville.
He was preparing book for publication
and writing several new lectures. When
his literary labors were over he was go-
ing to take trip somewhere and rest,
though friends of his, influential at
Washington. were anxious for him TO
accept a consulShip, at an important
point.
The widows neat white cottage stood
I hy itself on the confines OF the village.
Deacon Bliss fields OF dark green pep
permin; and nodding wheat stretching
along u G country road for nearly mile
Joined the garden. Before her abrupt
refusal of him the deacon had been &c
custonsd TO drop in for lite visit or
10 bring neighborly offering apples
or fresh vegetables. But these calls had
ceased. and cut of from all her sources
of news and pleasure Mis-. Appledore
STAYED closely at home, practiced her
music and entertained the professor.
But one sunshiny afternoon Mrs. Pn'ox
came busting up the prim graveied
walk.
Rosetta Appledore," y she chirped. like
an angry blue-jay. rs she opened the
door. though 'clod', which there are
folks that think different. I've come TO
ask you if YOU know you're the town
talk?"
The town talk" echoed her astonish-
ed sister.
YES. the town talk repeated Mrs.
Phlox with wonderful emphasis. Any
body would be who had spent two bless
ed months philanderin' with married
man"
who i married.
Your Prof. Smith
Il don't believe it."
II s'posed you wouldn't, but I've seen
his wife" said Mrs Phlox with evident
satisfaction.
+ Tears of shame and anger gathered in
Mrs. App.edore's eyes as her sister
spoke. lis Mrs. Smith good looking'
Is she an interesting woman?' she ask
ed
Il can't shy how interesting she Is.
/ She seemed kind of trod on, so To speak.
As for looks. she ein't any prettier'n
you'd be if you worked hard an didn't
have half enough to eat. said Mrs.
Phlox, calmly.
+ Mrs. Applepore sobbei aloud. What
do people say about mc2 What shall |
do?" she cried.
'"rhey don't say noihin' yet o'ny that
vou're dreadful foolish" chirpcd her
sister. rising and putting on her calash,
for it was almost supper time. can't
say rs know of anything for you to do
except TO tell Mr.. Smith 10 stay { home.
'Taint likely Deacon Bliss will give you
n chance 10 say no second time"
There had been great deal of pleas
urable excitement in receiving the visits
of the professor. To dress herself in her
hes, mourning and TO sing her favori.e
songs 10 an appreciatiye listener had
beer something TO look forward to dur
ing the hum-drum work ofthe day. The
thought however of what her acquaint-
ances were sizing about her embitter-
cd her life, and when the professor again
called one glance at her face told HIM
that she knew all.
IT ear Mrs. Appledore," he began, but
she checked him.
You had better 90 home to Your
wife. Mr.. Smith," she said, coldly.
Tears. real tears. came into the PROBES.
sor's big blue eyes. But l love yeu,
he cried, "and she has always been an
incubus upon my soul"
But she's your wife, persisted Mrs.
Appledore.
IL know it." moaned the professor,
rubbing his brow distractedly. 1T eats
ON nv vitals when | think OF it. She
don't ieel rs / feel. There's no wings
for me as long as am tied to her. We've
no affinity" ;,
Mrs. Appledore gszed ut him in dull
10 al 4
she had used to her sister, but they dc
not sound pleasantly now.
al love you. Rosetta" went on the
little man, approaching her, land wan