Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-07-24
PARIS, MAINE TUESDAY. JULY "a, 1888

about the luxurious air. He simply wants
10 be alone with Ida, and he is afraic
they will meet me if they come into the
house."
Ida's laugh was like little rill Of mu'
sic, as she twirled her long-stemmed rose'
and replied:
"One may have duties. you know
which forbid yielding to temptation.
ought to be practicing this moment, Mr.
France, instead of idly putting appendices
to our walk in this way" 4.saE cd. p
Nevertheless, she swung her skirt:
lightly around, and sat down upon the
lowest step, crossing her pink wrists, and
flashing up at her companion through hel
eyelashes one of those swift and daring
glances in which innocent girlhood often
betrays its innocence.
can only imagine you as playing al
duty" he answered lightly. " Surely you
were made to do just what pleased you.
No must ever ought to come into your
life, little one.'
al don't fancy being called little one" )"
answered Ida, half pouting. 1t is toe
and too tender-a great deal
too tender"
"She is right, thought Marcia, deter.
at is eminently proper she
should keep him at distance. When
she is my age, she will see how right she
is"
at is so easy to shock very young
persons sense OF propriety BY hurting her
dignity" he laughed. "Now when you
are old, say as old as Marcia and /, you
will have no pride Of dignity, and you
viii wonder how YOU could have put so
much stress on the term little one.' See
now, am twice your age. | am thirty
four, and yet abate the natural superb
ority Of my years, aud will ask you to be
so friendly as to call me by my first name
when you speak to me. VIII you call
me Herman ="
"Good gracious :" CALCULATED Marcia,
under her breath. The request seemed to
her almost as equivalent to proposal
but not so Ida. That young lady respond
ed very composedly:
why, yes; Marcia and | always dc
call you Herman when We speak Of you
to each other"
Marcia shuddered in her lair at this
betrayal; but in spite Of the frankness OF
her speech, Ida seemed filled with quick
notions akin to coquettishness. She
PLAYED with her roses, her color coming
and going with her full breath, her head
dropped in half bashful pose and now
her shoulders seemed prominent to her.
now her elbows, now her feet, and she
each in its turn. Marcia was
not well acquainted with young girls, and
sbe accused this one Of bridling -
" bridling." Then she wondered how
she could have developed such feeling
agains, Ida, and berated Iherself as q
" horrid old maid
81 never knew just your relationship
10 Marcia" mused Herman, after little
pause.
mot any relationship at all. ;" returned
Ida, warmly. "My father was only her
step brother, and that makes it seem the
kinder of her to make me so welcome
here. doesn't it. should have no home
were it not for Marcia-you see | could
never say Aunt Marcia, because she seems
no older; or not much older than l. Bu'
she is a great deal older-she is thirty
six. You wouldn't believe that Marcia
was thirty six, would you: She is Older
than you are even."
Poor Marcia She covered amonglthe
leaves and hot tears came to her eyes,
" It is not that am not willing to ac'
knowledge myself DID," she thought in
sobs; "but it does seem so dreadful to
tell him that I am thirty-six inj cold
blood"
MARCIA will never marry, suppose,
she gossiped on, in an airy manner.
s"There you may be mistaken, my
little friend" said Herman, languidly,
sat any rate, let US hope So"
go yes, hope so," assented lda' bit
ing her roses.
Because" he continued, looking at
her strangely, as if to see how she would
eonstrue his words, Gas people grow old
er they feel the need of husband or wife
It's the craving for intimate companion
ship, which one may put off without be-
ing rid of. Do you fancy that because
am past thirty years shall never offer
my ripe love, fearing it may have gone
to decay: Oh, no, Ida. / shall marry
some time, though this is premature con-
fidence, into which / should not have
taken you. may be denied after all
Ida still toyed with the blossoms in her