Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-02-07


manding hand laid upon her shoulder /;
she turned and saw her husband, Mr..
Derwent, who had been pacing up and
down the hall in unusual disturbance of
mental equanimity. had also heard the
angry voices, and has,ened into the Ii
brary.
my DEAR" he said to his wife, 4" Ned
is authorized to do SO.
Authorized BY whom y said Mrs
Derwent.
Surely, sir" interposed Mr.. Hurd,
"you do not mean to repudiate your
wifss responsibility in this matter: l
presumed that you were one; presumed
so, not only from the admirable harmony
OF your lives, but from the very nature
Of the case. presumed that your un-
tied judgment had Of course
What DO you mean, sir - said Mr..
Derwent.
What do you mean, father, dear -
said Mrs. Derwent, recovering herself,
and pushing Dolly away, who had
rushed to her father and clung confd-
ingly to his arm. What is the mean
ing of this unhappy contretemps, my
love-
" Simply this answered Mr.. Der
went. "A young man, dear boy whom
| have known since he was a baby, a
worthy, tue-hearied fellow | sincerely
believe, the son Of my college chum and
my friend ofa lifetime, came to me an
hour ago and pleaded his case like ris-
ing young lawyer as he is, and a rousing
arm-hearted youngster - pleaded his
claims to be allowed 10 win Dolly. That
was your expression, wasn't it Ned -
to win Dolly"
Yes, sir said Dolly's lover, who
stood apart, with his arms folded, his
mead erect, and lis eyes blazing like
" live Goals frum the altar ar"-perfectly
majestic, So poor little Dolly, shrink
ing and trembling, and venturing but
enc glance, thought to her very hearts
core-thought that very momen. and for
ever.
Very well, then" continued Mr.. Der
went, ." I gave my consent to Ned to go
in and win her
And IL" fsltercd Ms. Derwent,
- this i, exceedingly strange, exceedingly
unfortunate. | have just given my con-
sent to Mr. Hurl, whom | esteem 50
hishly-whom we both esteem so highly
TO address my daughter
Some comical side Of the affair must
have struck Mr.. Derwent, for he laugh.
ed at this, not his bright, whole
souled laugh, exactly,-but just laugh
to clear his throat sufficiently to say,
kindly:
".Ah, we'll, 50 perceive we are in
trouble, Dolly, my dear. do not see
how any one but yon can get US oat Of
this scrape. The truth is, Dolly, ! court
ed your mother when was hardly more
than boy, penniless boy, too, and |
have never repented Of my rashness; 1t
has been my happiness and my fortune
yes, my fortune, young men! Two
suitors, Dolly; one, say, rather lenient-
ly-for sympathy perhaps, for 'auld lang
sync' may be, for his father was my col
lege chum-rather leniently regarded by
your father. Both lovers of yours, my
child. and | don't wonder at that, little
Dolly both honorably Offering YOU heart
and hand. see nothing now to be done
except that you should choose between
them"
Then every one in the room-Eustace
Hurd, Mrs. Derwent and Ned-majestic
Ned-looked straight at Dolly.
Dolly having been pushed away from
her fathers sustaining arm by her moth
er, had dropped, wretched and half faint
ins. upon the sofa. Bat she arose now,
and stood for moment with her little
hands elapsed against her girlish bosom
beating, indeed, now with a woman
ish impetuosity-aud her little feet mis-
giving her so that she felt herself totter-
ing, and her face paling and her eyes
downcc.t. And then suddenly with a
flash to her cheek and lip Of vital car
mine and a thrill to her fnser-tips so
strong that it extended her hand cerdi
ally, and an instinct Of faith that neryed
her to composure and dignity and queen
illness, so far as it was possible for an an
pel-like. child-like creature like Dolly TO
show queenliness, she advanced step or
two and raised her eyes and said with
directness, in voice low
toned bat 50 penetrated with the intens-
ity Of Youthful lifetime and the earn
estness Of an eternal promise that It
haunted eyermore those who heard It:
" Ned-you have taken me-by sur
nrisa -