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

Dut tue CcntIui HkutS oieSi ehS W 49,
self is the young man, pale, motionles' as
a statute, who stands in pew, and
whose asby gaze is fixed on the bride.
The face Of the man in the pew is that OF
James Brooke. The picture tells its own
story to Nelly Spalding. 1t places the
possibility of the future before her eyes
as she has never dared to picture it to
herself. 1t reflects in all its naked truth
the fate to which through her indecision
she may commit herself and Jim. And
it tells its story so well that art conquers
diplomacy in decision, and aids love in
its triumph over "the great Josiah
himself.
Footsteps on the stairs. cover the
picture again. Nelly stands beside DIR.
Brooke her cheek is pale, and there are
tears like dewdrops glistening in her eyes.
The iron-master looms in the doorway.
He takes in the matter at q glance and
frowns darkly at Jim and me.
As soon as Mr.. and Mrs. Spalding,
who closely follow Josiah, have entered
the room, Nelly, to my surprise, walks
quickly up to her father and takes his
hand. Father" said she, with tremu-
lous ye. decisive tone, "you know the
message you brought me from Mr.. Blag-
den this morning! Give him my answer
now. Tell him that | am going to marry
DR.. Brooke"
Now, it is my opinion that, had the
discarded Josiah at this moment held his
tongue, he might have got both Mr.. and
Mrs. Spalding to speak word for him
with Nelly. But as it was he destroyed
his own case at a blow.
Message from me and this is my
answer he said in an angry voice.
"Why, care nowt-nowt,' he repeated
bitterly, "about the matter. guess II
was the lass's father and mother that
wanted to marry Josiah Blagden's money
perhaps they wanted some of it for
themselves"
The rudeness and vulgarity which
: marked the man came out unmistakably
as he said these words and taking hi'
sisters arm is his and casting look oil
vindictive scorn at The doctor and myself
he walked out at the door with an un'
painly strut which was meant for dig
n ;ty. and we saw "the great Josiah nj
mo,e.
Mrs. Spalding was especially cut W
by tie parting fling of Josiah, as 1t wa
sbe wb 0 had man9uvered the matter thu
far. Mr.. Spalding, on the other hand
burst into a jovial laugh, and taking hi
daughters h and, placed it in that OF tn
doctor.
After all ha i left the studio but Nj
spaldine, the latter asked nae tell him
plain terms how had brought this abou
for he had no doubt l was at the bot
tom of it. uncovered the picture
which Mr.. Spalding-simple, easy.mine
ed gentleman that he was-scrutinne
with his double eye-glass, remarking
me that he did not quite understand 1t I
!. all but that it was wonderfully cleve
and that Josiah's weskit was as like
life.
In sis weeks thereafter | otticlated
| "be,t man" at Jim's marriage. AS u
orsanist pealed forth the jubilant stFair
# Mendelssohn, after the Wears benz
d;c.iou had been given, and Nelly, rad
e ant and beautiful, passed down the ais
y on her In ,band's arm. ] could not he
rejoicing in the success Of -, what Is nc >.
s2gSA We, 'ding March," though t
= faces in the pic. u' " -, -,
slightly disguised, a. -. =. Actin,
! has been shorn of certa.
i've peculiarities.
This is the romance which, q" "
you at the outset, hangs round ahe pi
J ture which in the academy catalo. r1e WI
} numbered 329-A Wedding MAJ en-
i n v.