Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-12-05

my dying day, and think well Of Other
babies for her sake"
81 did not observe any sign Of love be.
tween you and the baby on that remark
able day"
Perhaps not, but she was very useful
to me on that day, nevertheless"
81 thought l saw a trap set for my
feet in this sort Of talk, and did not an.
swer him.
"Let me write your name in the book" "
he said after pause.
"If you please"
"But don't know it yet"
at is Hester Deane."
"Thank you. If had known it SOON
er. I should have been spared some anx-
iety, as might have learned the reason
Of your staying at home so long,"
He looked at me with such sincere
and pleasant eyes that | we'll nigh lost
sight of the lady whom l kept always in
my minds eye in talking with him.
Ever after this he was waiting for me
At the station; sat by me in the cars, and
sometimes walked into the studio where
took my lessons.
We grew very we'll acquainted men
tally, and morally in our long talks, but
Mr.. Gordon left me wholly in tie dark
touching his family and circumstances.
and was too proud to make inquiries
of any one who lived in the same town
with him. This reticence on his part
built up a certain reserve on mine, and |
think he liked me none the less for it.
The mere sight Of him made my heart
leap for JOY, but suffered myself to be
happy only under protest.
He had never actually said anything
to me that good husband and the faith
er Of an interesting family might not
say to a travelling acquaintance whom
he had found agreeable, and | knew that
more latitude in manner is allowed to
men than to women.
1t came to pass one day in mid.sum-
mer that Mrs. Newman, our little Quak.
eress, invited us both to take tea with
her. Mr.. Gordon was not quite certain
whether he could remain in town till the
late train, but he would come ifpossible.
"If you cared for me-" | thought,
anything would be possible"
| had a warm welcome from Mrs.
Newman and her sweet mother, both of
whom thought they could not make my
visit more agreeable than by enticing
the baby to show off her PAGES.
The baby was now year old. and
would have been charming but for teeth
ing which no doubt would undermine the
good nature Of q cherub.
As tea time drew on I seemed to be-
come nothing but ears in listening for
Mr.. Gordon. He came in good time,
and within five minutes the good old
lady had proved to her own satisfaction
that he was third cousin to her on the
mothers side.
He seemed ready to be pleased with
all the world. and praised the preserves
and the baby with equal warmth.
"Alice has told me how good thee vas
to the baby. friend John, Peradventure
thee has child at home to make thee
good to all others"
Il held my breath for an instant.
"No," he said, laughing, "the baby
knows better. She bore loud testimony
to my awkwardness all the time held her.
| have no children, because my wife may
be a child herself yet, for aught l can
swear to the contrary"
l know the sun was just setting, for
the room was growing dusky when he said
this, but light dawned on me which
has not darksned to this day.
After dinner he went out on the vine
covered piazza with Mrs. Newman, while
the mother carried the baby to her nest
up stairs. Mr.. Gordon seemed absent.
minded, and answered once or twice at
random, while Mrs. Newman kept up q
ripple of small talk prettily Aecked with
thee and thou. The baby evidently
missed her mother and would not bs
comforted. At last she broke out will
the familiar roar, and the little mothe
left us to our own devices.
"That's blessed baby" said Mr.
Gordon. Suppose we take q littl.
walk up and down the street till Mrs
Newman comes back"
He drew my hand through his arm
and held it there, while we took . silen
turn or two in the dewy darkness.
could not for my life, think Of anything
to say. 9
81 suppose" said Mr.. Gordon at las
"that this world is always dark compares