Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1884-09-09


photograph to both bis informan,s, and
each had recognized !, unhesi,a,ingly as
Mrs. Hobson. There had been no stu.
pid mistake abou, names, for he had re-
lied entirely uroa the evidence afforded
By the Identification Of the photograph.
The only possible explanation was-
Mr. Ma,iard wiped the beads Of pres
pera,ioa from his forehead as the solution
of the mystery flashed aeio's hi. mind
with painful elcarness. I, mus, have been
the photograph which had mi'led every
body. lie hsd been Carrying neN, 10 hi.
hear, the photograph Of Amelia. thinking
!, was the ooun'uf,ii pr sen'men, Of An
na Or rather. 10 be strictly accurate,
he had fallen into the srror Of supposing
that Annie "a. the name of the original
of the pho,osnph. when all the While be
had been in love with Amelia.
Mr.. Ma,,ard's horror q, the startling
discovery canno, be de'eribed. To make
matters worse hi. friend al Malta had
old him a great deal Abou, the CreePs
which he had no; suspected before. % that
be had reason TO believe il would be rash
TO rely upon their consiiera, ion add prop
er feeling The oil Coloael had rather
a doubtful reputation. !, appeared, and
bis daughters were The Kind of girls who
would 20, objec, TO figure As plaintiffs in
an action ior breach q promise Of mar
rsgc.
IiwA, clear ,hA, !, would be danger
oas to reveal bis approaching marriage
with Miss Msinwarins. and under the
ercumsiances be concluded that his wis-
e., course would be 10 make no oommu-
niea,ion whatever, 10 Miss Annie Creep.
he sal,ed bis conscience by the reflection
,ha, whatever Nigh, happen, nothing
would induce him 10 mary her and ifan
action for breach Of promise WAS ineviia-
DE he would rather the scandal arose
after hi. marriage than before.
B,ing fis,,y man. Of highly nervous
temperament. IL may be imagined that
the anxiety which be suffered completely
robbed his coar,ship Of il, pleasures. Es-
cry day be expected TIA, Miss MainwAr.
iag would hear Of bis dual engagement,
and he regarded itas iorgone conclusion
,hA, the discovery would ruin all bis
hope. lie began To look 90 III and bag.
gard ,hA, his appearance alarmed all bis
friends. and. though weeks passed with
ol, bringing about the dreadful revelation.
he was haun,ed by dismal Pre'en'imen,
,hA, hi. unluckey scr,, would be revealed
IN time 10 prevent bis wedding
All ven, well. however. until a few
day. before the auspicious event, when he
chanced 10 look in a, bis agents one AZ
ternoon for letters. A. he was entering
the doorway he ran agAins, Porily gen
tlemAn who was descending the steps,
and. looking up TO apologize, he found
himself face TO face with Colonel Creep.
Mr.. MA,,Ard was too bewildered and
eoafasei to speak. until he perceived
,hA, the colonel, absolutely purple in the
face, was staring At him in sPeechless in-
dignAiion.
"whA, the deuce arc you doing here,
,ir ?" roAred Colonel Creep, with very
strong sxple,ive. 81 though, you were
In India"
II returned unexpected" gasPed Mr..
MA,,Ard.
"Shake hands, Mr.. Mai,Ard," said
the warrior. abruptly. IL am glad to
have met. WANTED TO have talk with
you"
81 suppose Annie mean Miss Creep
is surprised a, no, hearing from me
lately" sAid Mr.. Ma,,ard, extending a
very limp hand.
Don, ask me about her. Mat,ard.
She hA. treated you devilish badly. and
that is the truth. However, il wasn't
my doing She knows my sentiments on
the subject" )"
Ill don't quite understand, mur-
INJURED Mr.. Ma,iard. beginning to per-
ceiye ,ha, the expression on the coloners
face was confused rather than indignant.
"when did you leave India" in
quired Colonel Creep, apparently struck
by Mr. Ma,lard's look Of bewilderment.
"Hh some weeks ago now" said Mr..
MA,,arl, evasively.
"Is !, possible then, ,ha, you haven't
heard, I'm sorry to say Annie has
followed Amelia's example, and married
without my consent She surprised me
-grieved me. should say-by an
nouneing one morning a, breakfas, that
she had been before a registrar and mar
ried Jack Howard. Of the Bluffs"
"You don, say sO.' cried Mr. Mat
,ard, with an expression Of heartfelt, JOY
Illuminating his expressive eoan,enanee.
GOOD heavens This is amazing
"You mus, bear up, Ma,,ard bear
up :" exclaimed Colonel Creep, soothing.
ly, no doub, believing his companion wa
staggering under the shock.
III will" said Mr.. Ma,,ard, stoutly
HOW HE RUsTICATED.
A young man in the country, who Is
apparently head-Over-heels in love will
a farmers life lin horn,) writes as fol-