Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-09-04
"Jssper, Jssperw she entreated, "he

"Jasper, Jasper" she entreated, "ht
is not worth this. Do not mind him"
"No, no." he moaned at last. Il d.
not mind him, but it is because he ha
spoken the truth-'a crooked thing, goot
for nothing in the world! That is wha
he said, and it is true"
."No, it is not true. 1t is dreadful
thing that you have to bear, but, Jasper
God knows about it."
"That is the worst Of it, Margaret
answered the boy, in low and defiant
voice. "Msrgeret, do you think Goo
can be good and have made such people
as ann"
Jasper," said the girl, solemnly. il
there were only this one world l should
be afraid to think. But not now JAS
per, this body is not you. 1t seems to
me that perhaps the best thing. the great
est thing that God could give anybody
would be to show how true and noble q
soul like yours may grow, even while it
is in prison. And, Jasper-afterwards
Il do not know how to say what Imean,
but think some people will be ever SO
much happier than others, even in heaven.
Jasper, / do think, really believe that
in your place, l could trust our Father
and not be afraid"
There was little silence and the boy
raised his head. A strange peace had
come into his face.
81 will go home now," he said gently,
and the two went home together.
1t was Herbert Archer, after all, who
won the prize. and perhaps the only one
of all his schoolmates who sincerely re-
joiced at the result was the boy whom he
so cruelty wounded.
Jasper did not return to school. A
startling letter came to Mrs. Langley one
day from London solicitor. Her hus-
bands elder brother had died childless,
leaving Jasper sole heir to his large es.
tate. They sailed Immediately for Eng
land, and as years passed the memory Of
the deformed boy faded almost entirely
from the minds Of those who had known
him so briefly. Only to Margaret Lee
came, at rare intervals, letter with
foreign postmark. whose contents evinced
the growth of noble, patient and even
cheerful life.
Poor Margaret The years brought her
many heavy and unexpected burdens.
Her father had lost all in an unsuc-
cessful venture, and, discouraged and dis
pirited. did not long survive the wreck OF
his fortunes. Upon Margaret, the Oldest
child, fell the task Of caring for her heart
broken mother and young sisters. One
by one dreams of her childhood were laid
aside, while she adjusted herself to
round of uninterrupted toll. Her life
however weary, was not without its COM
ISOLATION. In relinquishing many happi-
ness she gained the blessedness Of minis
tration.
At thirty. with her mother at rest and
the last sister gone to happy home OF
her own, Margaret found herself practic-
ally alone inrthe world, and with the
burden Of care for others-grown sweet
in the long wearing-at last from her
shoulders.
1t was then that to her, in her turn
there came an English letter, witten in =
strange hand. Jasper Langley was dead
and his will named her for his sole lega'
tee. This letter enclosed another, sealed,
and addressed in Jasper's handwriting to
&" Margaret Lee"
when you read this, dear Margaret,
you will be glad to"know that am
'away'-no longer in prison. Yet my
captivity has not been dreary. have
had great light in my darkness.
my mother is gone. I am the last
Of my race. and there is none to be
wronged if l do what l will with my
own. So have dared to give you all
have. My income has much more than
sufficed for my needs, and the property
has accumulated in my hands. l can
trust you with it-you will know how to
use it for the best.
"There is only one thing more to say.
It has long been my dream-for l have
known for years that could not live te
be old-that some time after was gone,
you might come here for your home. ]
have fsncied your feet passing along
these garden walks whose flowers / have
loved. have seemed to zee you resting
under these trees, or passing from room
to room, Frightening all with the sweet
presence which l remember 90 well. II
has been, Is l said, Q dream; but If you
- -. ,,or, ,-.v to vuoka n cnma tYue.