Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-07-24
ONE AFTERNOON.

ering. II seemed to her she turned old
in an instant, as though her face fell into
wrinkles and an impress as Of the faded
leaf set its stamps upon her. The sun-
light, futtering like wing upon the
wall, took shade less Of gold; and all
the world darkened just so much, as in
the slight moment of pause Marcia ac-
cepted her position, and decided with a
pang to be no longer young.
"I can imagine" she answered, just
as the minister's wife looked up in sur
prise at the little piece of silence that had
dropped down between them" can
imagine said Marcia, how one must
perforce, love an own child. though that
Joyous fountain of pure water has bub-
bled unseen and untasted throughout my
life. No; do not love Ida, dear though
she is to me, as l suppose l would child
of my own"
The minister's wife went home, and
in discreet confidence asked of the min
lister what provision there might possi-
bly, be in the next world for an old
maid whose heart was filed with chill
dren.
After her visitor had gone Marcia went
through the house, looking for the young
girl Ida. The rooms were very dainty
and very pleasant, but to the mistress in
her new mood they seemed triae stiff
and prim.
&" well." she sighed softly, cit all
partakes Of me, / suppose. Strange that
my eyes should be made TO open so sud-
denly should have wished the knowl-
edge to steal upon me gradually and
gently, so that might have accus-
toned myself TO the truth. without this
shock.
Wherever she found a reminder of Ida,
there she thought something bright and
Youthful liyened and beautifed the rooms 4,
while her own hat hanging in the hall,
the chair she sat in. her work basket on
the stand, seemed suggestive of her own
older self. 1t was no, pleasant thus to
realize the truth. but to the point must
we all come at last.
Stepping out upon the low and wide
veranda, Marcia could see Ida coming up
the shadowed walk, looking very young
nov that Marcia fel, the lack of youth !;
she noticed how young and how sweet
Coming so out of the distance, her step,
though slow. seemed elastic and full OF
life, and she made pretty picture. Her
skirts were ligh, and airy, fieecy drap-
cry half fell, half clung around her shoul-
ders, and the dropping brim Of her hat
just allowed glimpse of her sunny hair.
By her side walked their neighbor, Her.
man France, and Ida's eyes Were cast
down toward the roses in his hand never
once lifting to meet his frank yet some
what dreamy gaze.
A pang was thrust again through
Marcia, and she wondered that she should
Just be regretting her loneliness, when
she had the knowledge pressed home up
on her that she was quite beyond such
gallant attention. The two were doubt
less born for each other, and the solitary
woman on the vine- climbed yersnda was
quick to confess how well they walked
together, how harmonious they seemed,
and what a pleasing contrast they Of
fered.
"By and by they will marry. solilo-
ouized Marcia land what more natural
or more to be desired, Then ! shall be
truly alone again. and perhaps l had bet
ter indulge myself in little OF that
travel which has been like the thread OF
dream running through my life. NOW
tha, am growing old must take my
travel or shall never have it. l had
better have taken it younger. perhaps as
i, is, for old bones are weary bones,
and they like resting better than wander
ing"
Marcia was doing q dreadful thing
when she cut herself loose from youth In
this way; but the trouble was that IN
contrast with the fresh, girlish bloom OF
Ida, she felt her outside body must seem
old and worn, and that she was bound In
duty to age her spirit also.
All unconscious,tha,i Marcia. stood con-
cealedi by the vines, the couple .stroiied
up theIrose-bordered path and Marcia
exaggerated to herself the appearance oi
interest they seemed to have in each
other.
"Let us stay out here" said Mr..
France. Every breath is luxury
among these vines on such a perfect at
ternoon."
He took off his straw hat as ne spoke
and Marcia saw for the hundredth time
how white and how broad his forehead