Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1885-12-29
CHANGED THROUGH A DREAM.

Mf. CAsilston Cafuihsrs felt complete
IN satisfied With himself and biz sur.
roanding.. A .of, esrPe, 80. under hi.
fce'. tinted walls. and treasure. Of bric a
brac satisfied hi. beauty. loving eye, and
an open CRATE f'e sdded lish, and
~Armlh 10 the already luSuriani apart
ment
In fact. every detail Of comfort VI.
complete. from the vel'e, loansins chair
and book .re.i % the terra Gotta tray hllsd
With costly cigars. and the antique bronze
FROG iha, "a, 30 patiently oa three les'.
and held ogi an ingenious receptacle ior
burnsd ms,che. With bis fourth and only
remaining member.
1, vas siill early 10 the evening. and
he had jas, lighted fragrant Havana.
elevated bis feet. encased 10 handsomely
embroidered slippers. 70 a comfortable
height. and opened the evening Joarnal.
~hsa q ,imid knock soanded on the
door. and reused him from bis luxurious
position
"li, ,hl, stupid ~si,er." be mut'efed
impa,isnily. "or Polly. the house maid.
9TH some silly message from my ~ife.
VIA, a nuisance thos, women are
Then Mr.. Cau,her reno sed hi, slip
pered feet from their airy elevation. threw
down bis paper. reAdjas,ed hs glasses.
and growled
"Come in"
1, wAs no waiter who catered. nor
Polly, the house maid. bl, . diminu,ive
figure, clad in q dres. Of some dainty
tlae stuff. Who fingered oa the threshold
looking At her father with brish, eyes
and ja., the pre,,ie., dash Of color In each
smooth cheek.
"Oh. bother, It's only Cary. rjse'
ulA,sd Mr.. C.ru,her,. taking up hi, pa
per again. "well. VIA, 1. !, that you
wsn,p SPEAK quickly child, Tor I'm
very busy"
T.king advantage Of this gracious per-
mission. Cary Caru,her, came into the
nom and paused by the side Of her pa
tern.l parent. with one hand laid he'i'
ts,insly on the arm Of hi. eh'ir.
IL came to ask" she began. aud her
voice srs~ husky. and chs gave LITTLE
cough and eommenesJ again. "You
kno- ,hi. !. New Years Eve, father
and /, is Away. the custom al ,hi. sea
son to give gifts 10 those Who
why. don, yoa ge, all tha, you a..
for the year round" interrupted Mf
Caruther., impa,ien,ly; ii, seems ,hsl
give them VIA, you will. women are al
gay. weeping Coz more. Well. state
your desire" With . m0vemen, OF the
hand ,osard the poke, containing hi
well.hlled purse.
"lt isn't money" said Cary. bel
cheek. reA,c,ins the red OF the tire a
brightly a. though they had been t~if
looking glasses. Then, plaeking VI
courage. she plunged rish, into the hear
Of the subject with spirit worthy OF
larger woman.
Father. Frank is oomiLg to-nish, a
nine 10 see you. and bis homes, purpos'
!, to ask my hand in marriage. | low
him for hi. upright, truthful nature, an
he loves me. lie /. great fssori,e will
mother and the boys, aud only need
your permission TO be happy"
Mr.. Caruthers laid dosn his paper
and looked st his diminuti,e daugh,e
with eyes in which anger and amaxemsn
we're ladicrously blended
Never before 10 his life bad he hear
the girl speak out with such plainnes'
aud decision; and as,onishment for
moment held him silent
what" he stammered. "fnnl
R-m.on coming here to ask your hsnC
in marriage. and I give my consen,
No madam Never! Why. the fellos
hasn't . hundred pounds to his name
When you are we'd. IL will be to . ma
Who can sko~ wealth equal TO my own.
Prank is not begs.r." cried Carr,
indignantly, forgetting for the momen
ell fear Of her father. "He is in posses
sion Of q good salary, and you yoursel
said more than once that he was I'm
young man. Of more than average busi
ness capacity. and be comes Of goo
family be-ides"
"Mr. C.rutheu sat and still CARED .
his daughter.
III am master In my own family" b
had oftea affirmed with visible pride !
the fact, and this vas the hst time
his experience that any member OF th
hous hold had ever ventured TO contradic
him Ia his own words.
80 be has taught you already to sho'
disrsspse, to your father" said he grim
ly; ",he rascal Well let him come