Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-01-31

Altogether. with the surprise and the
fun, the pudding was great success, and
the Christmas in lodgings ended much
more cheerily with the Rand sisters than
it had begun.
The next week drifted by, and now it
was Twelfth Night, festival with little
meaning to American ears. With the
Rands the day was chiefly remarkable
for the expected arrival Of a belated
American mail. Marian went to the
post in the afternoon and returned rosy
and elated, with quite bundle of let
tiers.
Three letters for you. Aileen, two for
me, with lot Of newspapers, and for
you, Emmy, this thick blue envelope,
which looks business.like. wonder who
can have sent it :" Then she tore open
her own letters, and soon became too
much absorbed TO notice the faces Of her
companions, till a double exclamation
caught her ear, and made her look up
suddenly.
marian. what do you think-thc
pudding has come true y cried Emmy.
"Oh, Marian-the pudding see what
has come Of it :" exclaimed Aileen. Then
they stopped and regarded each other
with wondering eyes.
"What is it" demanded the aston
ished Marian.
II don't know what Aileen's news
may be, but listen to mine. Only think
Il drew the sixpence. you know, and
here is letter from old Mr.. Wickham,
the lawyer, to say that Cousin Emilia
Storrs is dead, and has left me twenty
thousand dollars because | was named
after her"
Twenty thous-Why that is news :"
cried Marian. Why, my darling, now
you can 60 to the Riviera. just as we
wished. You will get well there in just
one minute; am sure of it. Aileen,
how queer you look Have you had a
fortune left you, too =
"No, not a fortune" replied Aileen,
slowly; II didn't draw money, you know,
drew-,he ring'-blushing most beau
,ifully.
Yes. Well, what is it: What
are you growing so red abont: Aileen,
speak; DON, keep US in suspense"
Girls" said Aileen, " | am going to
confess something that will surprise you
good deal. You won't be vexed with
me. will you, Promise me in advance
that you won't"
"Very well. we promise; only make
haste and tell" said Marian, on fire with
curiosity"
well, then, when Jim Chauncey went
to China, three years ago, l promised to
marry him whenever he was able TO come
home and ask me-
The sisters stared at her speechlessly.
at seems mean never to have let you
know" went on Aileen, rapidly. " But
i, was a very far-away sort of dream to
me and just then-just after he sailed
came the beginning of mothers long sick
ness, and then Emmy fell i'll, and there
seemed so much to think about and wor-
~ over, that couldn't bear to add this to
the res. or make you feel that | had any
hopes or plans apart from yours. And,
in fact, | hadn't. 1t might be for years
or might be forever, for all | could tell,
before Jim would be in condition to
claim my promise. But here he writes
that all is suddenly changed. The New
York partner of the firm is dead and they
have decided to send Jim back to take
his place. He will have an ample in
come and-and, in short, we must go
home, dears. as soon as the warm wea-
.her is fairly come, and it is safe for
Emmy. jim will reach New York in
June, and he wants to be mari mean
TO see meas soon as possible after he
lands
"Well, never was knocked quite so
fiat in all my life before" said Marian,
recovering her speech with a sort Of gasp.
"One such surprise in day would be
almost too much; two is too utterly too.
You wretched little humbug! who ever
would have suspected you of secreting an
engagement all this while But you
were an angel Of unselishness not to
NOPE, and not to tell us, giving Alleen
an energetic squeeze. "lt would have
added to our worries dreadfully to feel
that you only half belonged to US. 1t
was just like you, Aileen."
80 it was added Emilia, drawing
her sisters fair face down for kiss.
&" Oh, my Ally. how bewildering it isl
rich, and you engaged. shall always al
ways believe in puddings for the future.
Marian is the only one left out"
Don't despair. 1t wouldn't surprise
me if some man all tattered and torn
made his appearance at any moment"
said Marian.
Besides she has half of all we have"
said Aileen.
"Half of Jim Chauncey: Thank you.'
replied Marian, grimly. Solomon him
self would find it rather Difficult; to effect
that amicable division. No, my dears,
poverty is my portion-witness the fatal
thimble-and l am quite content"
Great was Mrs. Durkie's surprise and
great her triumph at learning what WON
der her culinary spell had wrought. Her
satisfaction was only marred by the It'd.
ings that her dodgers must leave her soon.
They had decided on San Reno for the
spring months.
"And indeed l would never have made
any pudding at all, had guessed what
it was to cost me- protested the good
90 Prt von-ll vr;ta and lsf me-