Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1885-12-01
FOR his MOTHERS SAKE.

many excellent opportunities 70 ehanse
my condition. was rapidly drifting on
toward, old.maiden.hood no wonder
people called me hard 10 please.
| had admirers and suitors in plenty /;
where !. the heire~ who has no, And
two men loved me.
say two men. There were many
Who made professions. and Of whose sin-
ecriiy have no means 20 judge. bu,
these two can answer for a. for myself.
and know they loved me.
Never were two people more unlike
each other. in looks. In taste. disposliion.
temper. everything. |, seemed the
s,rAhgs., thing in the world that both
should fancy me.
] Even their respective Circumstance.
and position, in life offered striking
contrast. George Redfsrn was a wealthy
and influential tanker. forty years of age.
grave, quie, and reserved IN manner. and
With an indi.pu,sble and enviable stand
ins in .oeisiy-a man against whom no
breath u reproaeh or blame had ever
stirred While Rober, Dene-my Robert.
whom loved was comparatively
poor. having only hi, salary . con.
hdcniial clerk in the Redeem Bank
lou, Of which he supported a ~idossd
mother and "a, one q those merry,
cheerful, hshi-hear,ed fellows who some
hos-perhsp. from their love Of company
and plcasurs-gt, the name Of being
Wild wiihoa, deserving it. Certain u
!, that Robert meried no wori of evil.
though there vas time when !, looked
Otherwise.
Mr.. Dcns had been my dear dead
mothers friend Naturally | often went
90 yisi, hef She WAS "a great invalid.
snd hardly ever wen, out eSeep, for an
occasional qvis, drive With her devoted
son. who idol.rsd her % much 30 that !
grew positively jealous.
For Robert and understood each
other a. lovers will. lie was very sen
.iiive and high minded. | thought. a,
first, thA: because | wAs an heIress he
would never speak the love | knew he
felt. and which | longcd 10 hear bu, the
welcome declaration came At last.
And had Mr.. Redfern 20 ,hAnk for
liz. met him Al Mrs. Dene'. cottage
one evening. when he stopped 70 speak
TO Robert on some business, having
CHANGED 20 see him in the garien a. he
WAS ridiag past.
| was Al the windos. leaning out, and
he saw me. knew, Afterwards. iha,
that was the reason be astonished Rober,
By accepting his invitation 10 come in.
lie ~as very quiet. retiring man.
going little into society. and bearing the
reputation Of a confirmed old bachelor.
but after thA, evening he changed.
seemed TO NEE, him everywhere. lie
made the seqaAintanee Of people whom
visited lie took to going TO balls. thea.
tres. operas and when met him good
many Iime., he requested permission to
call on me.
Robert heard Of il. and grew jealous,
One evening be came 10 me, his dear,
handsome face looking gloomy and sad
enough.
1--WE have been friend. for yeArs." said
be. "snd | believe you like me vel
enough 10 gran, me a favor. love you,
Kate. That's no news 10 you; IL Il
We'll. | should nerer have told you
.o-I never should have asked you tC
become my wife, because yOs are rich
and | Am poor; but, my girl, cant
stand quietly by aud see another take
wha, a have died 70 win; 80 wan'
you to tell me truly II you intend tC
marry Redfern, and IL It's yes | shall
20 on, Of the country, and stay out until
can get over Il.
Oh. the happy girl | was when heard
him The precious words | had longec
for were spoken at last. lie might have
seen the JOY in my face. | felt my eheek'
burn and my eyes grow bngh, with hap
pines.; bat he KEEP, his face gloomil,
turned away.
SO | stole up to him. half shy. hal
bold, all joyful. and slipped my hand
about bis arms.
"And can you get over 1t. DO yoS
think ?" asked demurely.
lie looked Al me then. aud disengageC
bis arm. lie though, was trIiing will
hi. pain. and Was vexed q, me.
"Thi. i. no jes, with me, Miss Craven
whatever IL may be with you" he sai'
quite sharply; did no, expect ,hs, yo'
would make ], one. Yes" very coldly
81 am no, a love.sick fool. | do sappos'
| shall get over Il"
looked al him reproaehfully. / fel
the tear. spring to my eyes At his word
and tone.
"You DON, love me as love you, then
Robert" I said softly; "for IL you g
away and leave me 80, I'm afraid | neve
shall get over it,"
"oh my darling. :"
How quickly his face frightened As b
caught my hand.
"You say that. Kate, You mean IL
You don't love Redfern-you won't mar
~ him"
81 love you" l answered as his dea
arms elasped me close "and you onl,
will | marry"
And 90 we were engaged. And Rob
ert drove me over to the cottage, ther
and then, to tell his mother.
"She will be 30 pleased" he said. I"
believe that she suspected my feelings
But | would no. conhde them TO her, les
the fear Of disappointment, and pain \
me should distress her,"
How he loved her. A little jeaIou
psng sho, through my foolish heart
II fear you love her best" said i'm
pulsively.
my darling" he said. half chidingl,
zone does no, measure or compare sue
sacred loves; each and both Is dearest
But my mother suffers from an sfsc,io
Of the heart. Any anxiety or pain must IN
jure her, and sudden shock would kill.
And then il was I first uaderssoo
rightly his devoted care Of her. esrr !
which, from that hour. I shared.
Next day Mr.. Redeem proposed TO nj
Ny heart, In spits Of its own happiness