Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-09-05

"Your master would allow himself to
be preyed on by every one in the village,
if he hadn't some one to protect him." said
Mrs. Copman, severely. $50 at once,
Floyd-or stay! believe had better 60
myself. This sort of thing must be put
stop to-"
And she hurried out to the greenhouse
where pretty Jetty Lane was culling
sprays Of white stephanotis, in an uncon-
sciously graceful attitude, as she reached
up among the glossy, dark.green branches
for the star-like blossoms.
"Oh." said Mrs. Copman. stitily, "Miss
Lane, believe"
Jetty paused and turned. Only home
from boarding-school three months, she
had never met Mrs. Copman face to face
before.
1t is that terrible mother -in-law
she said to herself; and she answered
aloud.
"Yes. | am getting few flowers to
m odel in wax, and"
All" said Mrs. Copman. Il" But per-
haps you hadn't better get any more the
flowers don't bloom very profusely and my
daughters like them for their hair. Be-
sides, Mr.. Charters doesn't approve the
whole neighborhood running riot through
his grounds"
Jetty's deep-blue eyes flashed.
Madam" said she, "did Mr.. Charte-
ris tell you to say this
"N.nc, exactly" faltered the sour
visaged widow. "bu,-"
Then" said Jetty, "you have been
guilty of very rude and inhospitable ac-
ton"
And, finging her white buds and
blossoms on the tiled floor Of the green
house, she walked out like princess.
"Well. | never" said Mrs. Copman,
scarcely knowing whether to be most
indignant or surprised at this imperial
conduct.
While Jet,y Lane hurried on. never
stopping to shed the tears which seemed
to scald her resolute eyelids until she was
safe in the little hazel copse; and once
there under the cool, quivering boughs
Of the trees, she burst into passion Of
teaIs.
miss Lane Jet,y - uttered remon-
strating voice.
"les, know" said Jetty, laughing
and sobbing in the same breath. " I'm
very foolish, and ought to know better.
But it ism, pleasant to be turned out of
place"
What do you mean said Henry
Charters, gravely.
And Jetty told all.
A dark frown gathered over his coun-
tenance. He had known that Mrs. Cop
man and his three sisters-in-law were
selfish, arrogant and domineering. He
had been quite aware that he was little
more than prisoner of state in his own
home; he had even formed some vague
idea that Arabella, the youngest and least
hard favored of the three, had designs
upon his heart. AS far as he personally
was concerned, it mattered not one straw.
But now that innocent, dewy-eyed Jetty
had been thus ruthlessly attacked, things
assumed quite different aspect. He
looked down on the sweet and blushlng
face; then he took both the little hands
in his.
"Jetty," said he, "this is an uneven
battle. One widow and three resolute
spinster, against an unprotected specimen
of the genus homo. Yet think if | had
an efficient lieutenant l could defeat the
enemy yet. Will you join the ranks =
"I-I don't think understand you I"
faltered Jetty.
"You are eigh,een-I am thirty" he
went on. "And yet, Jetty, | feel young
enough in my heart to be your match.
Dear little Jetty, will you be my wife ;
Do you love me, Jetty'"
! And Jetty bravely answered:
eyes. will be your wife, Mr.. Char
teris. l do love you, and have loved
YOU ever since first came home from
school, and met you at the Sunday-school
picnic under the maple trees"
Mrs. Copman and her three daughters
had been to New York to order their
spring wardrobes-charged to Mr.. Char
teris's account, of course-and it was
late on the afternoon of the third day OF
their absence when they returned, cross,
irritable and tired-Marion shade red
, der nosed than usual, Arabella more pet
\ tish, Melicent more blowsy and coarse.
To their amazement and indignation,
. the sound of one Of Schubert's Nocturnes
e tloated out from the parlor window as