Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-07-04
It were idle to tell of lhat DAYS dinner,

most perplexing epithets; how he be-
gan a story in the middle, and forgot
tho ending; and how he persisted
at times in behaving as If he had been
acquainted with his three guests all his
lifetime, instead Of seeing them for the
first time to-day.
When they came back to the drawing
room, there was brilliant surprise for
little May. There stood famous Christ .
mas tree, resplendent with lights, and
bearing abundantly the fairy fruitage of
the season.
May stood transfxed, hands folded on
her breast, large eyes coruscant, lips
apart. Glancing from the tree TO our
friend, she made little run into his arms,
gave him sqeeze of untold delight. then
pounced upon her treasures. Princess
Alice came to the rescue, and turning
herself into another child with laughing
amazement, plundered the willing tree.
The elder couple stood apart. Then
Bachelor Rogers, putting forth his hand
led Mrs. Lee to seat, and took his place
beside her.
81 have Christmas story to tell you.
Will you listen :" Bachelor Rogers
manner was quite coherent now; but his
eyes were wet, and his voice trembled
strangely.
Il will listen willingly" murmured
Mrs. Lee.
What strange vibration was it that
quivered along every nerve:
81 remember q lovely child, then much
like your May here-eyes the same, curls
the same, rosebud mouth just the same.
She used to let me kiss her then-an in
nocent little child, you know She
grew older, Mrs Lee. Your Alice looks
like her, only not quite so beautiful-at
leas, think not. used to draw her
then-we grew up together you see-on
my boys sled across the snow; the sled
was red one barred with gilt, and call
ed the Alice Is that your name, dear
lady :" Mrs. Lee was trembling now.
A strong arm closed around her-a voice
that held the music of youth said, Do
not tremble; the end is coming. The
boy almost a man, the girl almost a
woman-but she was always that with
her gentle, loving ways-parted. He
went to sea. The curl she gave him
at parting, he keeps still
"They said all on boarl perished,"
sobbed Mrs. Lee; "but lever forgot
him-never, never
"Do you love him STILL"
DO you love him still !: Oh: Alice,
Alice, Alice !"
Princess Alice and little May turn to
look at the outcry. What strange spec
tacle is this Their mother sobbing on
Bachelor Rogers breast:
At that moment there was a tap on
the door. That excellent fellow, John,
fearing Jenny was lonesome" had felt
it lis duty to take run up to the little
brown house and escort her to his mas
ter's house. To his amaze, he found her
setting forth with a young man so hand
some, so self possessed, so altogether at
home with her. that John was posed.
"Oh, Jenny" whispered poor John,
''you never told me you was keeping
company"
NO more am" retorted the damsel,
saucily. He's Miss Alce's husband
that is to be. Do you think Id lift my
eyes to the like of him -
:" says John, load taken Of his
heart.
So Jenny and her escort arrive, and she
taps on the door, and then vanishes with
one of them to the realm beneath. Prin-
cess Alice, somewhat decorously shocked
at the mysterious conduct of her mamma,
opens the door, cries Cuthbert," and
follows her example. Poor little May,
sorely puzzled, looks from one couple to
the other; then discerning in the last ar
rival a person upon whom she has de-
cided claim, precipitates herselfup him,
and insists upon sharing in his en-
brace. Then they all come back to the
room.
Bachelor Rogers tells his story, wind
ing it up with: "And you never knew
me Alice knew you at once-llttle
May is your childhood, Alice here your
girlhood, and the woman here beside me,
your own dear self, my wife that is to
be-"
| Mrs. Lee denies not.
Princess Alice, her tender mouth IN
quiver, cries
Are you going to leave me, Cuthoert'
and when they are happy f"
And Bachelor Rogers answers for him
resonant, decided b" No." that settles
the question, and makes the lovers hap
py.
Look forward little; Bachelor Rog'
ers loses his title, and wins the hope OF
his youth. Cuthbert and Princess Alice
find that wedding is just as joyful on
New Years eve, as it would have been on
Christmas eve-in fact the best begin
ming in the world for the new year, es'
pecially when Cuthbert is partner in the
famous shipping house of Rogers II Co.
As for John and jenny, Johns master was
as good as his word, and made it a
..lucky Christmas" for him-for the
twain found themselves ''set up IN
housekeeping. and John once more hi
own boss, as in times passed, before ruI
of misfortune had befallen him, and driv
en- him defeated, but not conquered, int
service. Having thus looked forward
come back again and be content to lin
ger moment in the happy room WHERE
the lovers sit. Fireligh. was pleasantest