Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-07-10

| Il CtCi bNOtt hhCW tiot hO W 80 oSSAoAS0
when he discovered that all his little
fortune, earned by years Of honest zeal
had been, by some manner Of chicanery
transferred to the possession Of Percy
Talbot. .... e.. ...-
n" My dear sir, it is one of the freaks oI
fortune and is neither curious or uncom'
mon," Talbot said blandly to his victim.
"In my career as speculator, l, too, have
sometimes lost-even to my last farthing
have been left with nothing, absolute.
ly nothing but my debts. But I never
lost courage; nor must you do so now
Beside if you will bring back your pretty
fugitive daughter and induce her to be.
come my wife, 1 will make you free
gift Of the property that once was yours.
For a moment Kate's father regarded
his interloctur with scathing gaze. The
scales had fallen from those tried and
troubled eyes. -r vi.
"My daughter" at length he enun-
ciated, with dignity that was majestic,
"was wiser than I--she could not be de-
ceived by your pretensions as have
been. / may be pauper, sir, but
shall still be honored that I have child
who would prefer death to marriage with
such as you"
He turned away haushtily and went
blck TO the home that was no longer his.
But the shock had been too sudden, too
overwhelming; and an hour later he lay
writhing in mortal agony at the very
gates of death. In his delirium he raved
piteously of his folly, and of the man
whom he had SO trusted only to be befool-
ed, robbed and insulted. And to his dis
ordered senses his bonnie Kate was every
where present. He would listen for her
gay voice and light footsteps he seemed
to behold her bright and beautiful i'm
age, and he would pathetically entreat
her to forgive him for his harshness and
his great mistake.
Meanwhile Kate was far away, and
not altogether unhappy. She felt that
somehow, in blissful time to come, she
would be providentially guided back to
contentment with her beloved ones.
One morning a visitor was announced,
and with much surprise she turned to
stand face to face with her old suitor,
Percy Talbot, as ever, sleek, smiling in
significant.
"You wish to see me :" she queried,
coldly. startled by something Oddly as
sured and exultant in his aspect.
81 wish to discuss a matter Of busi-
ness with you," he returned ghbly as
with great nonchalance he appropriated
cosy chair. "Will you not lie seated
too Where are the roses of your cheeks,
Kate: Are you i'll, or has my coming
disquieted you -
She was pale with anger at his inso-
lence, at his stare Of ardent admiration /;
and she trembled with vague alarm be-
before his strange look of triumph, but
she stood quite still and regarded him
with calm inquiry.
"You may not be aware oSwhat has
happened at home" ne pursued still with
the honeyed voice and hateful smile.
"No,' was her simple utterance.
"My mission is not particularly
pleasing one" he continued cautiously f;
and you make it harder for me, Kate,
you seem so Indifferent /; and ! have only
come to serve you. Your father is very
i'll he may not recover"
Yet she remained silent, watching him
with her scornful questioning eyes.
"And beside" her visitor went on,
with a semblance of the sympathetic,
che has been unfortunate in business,
and everything he possesses will be sold
at once if there be no friendly interposi-
ton. l alone have power to aid him,
and will do so if you-oh, listen, for
love you, Kate! Ifyou will be my wife,
l will stop this sale, and your parents
shall still have their home" .do 81
He had arisen and approached her
with outstretched arms but at that IN
slant the door opened to admit one whom
he had not anticipated meeting then and
there. e '..,' r-.t'.'
"Ah, Mr.. Merle" he articulated, with
extreme politeness. "This is indeed a
surprise"
"a mutual surprise" Robert amended
drily. "My wife and I had scarcely ex-
pected a visit from you."
"Your wife," he stammered in swift
confusion. ...
"With mamma's approval, Mr.. Merle
and l were married the day | left home,
Kate explained civilly. u zI1s q
"Ah then I have come only to con-
gratulate you," he succeeded in saying,