Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1886-03-23
THE MISTAKE.

"lt b 90 hish,fally dull here" et.
claimed Miriam Cres~iek. with her "Di'
ana bow" Of mouth stretched in a mos,
por,en,oa, ya~n. "I' there nothing here
bu, crochet work. Wild strawberries aud
tea parties ,"
Minlm va, the very imperona'ion OF
her Jewish nAme-.All aud dark. with
creamy complexion and eyes ,hA, seemed
TO mel, and swim like stars hiding away
in shady springs. And she wore 'of,.
sweeping robes that fell around her in
,,a,ae,qas folds. and moved With the
.lo~, royal grace Of a Hebrew queen, 30
that Constance Dale looked up to her
with gifli,h admiration a, the incarnl-
,ioa OF all ihA, was radian, IN woman
hood.
"Ba, | though, you came here to res.
and recruit AFTER tn, winters di,ap.
patton. Miriam" said Constance.
$50 | did. bu, | don't mean actually
% ,,sgnA,e IL | can help IT,"
Constance looked puzzled. Nj" Cre''
wick laughed.
The dear. un.ophi.,iel,ed little fairy"
sue cried. ssyly. "Tke sewing circle
aud a portfolio Of embroidery patterns
may be enough for you. ba. won't suffice
for me. | mus, have a tilrtAiioa or two
to spice the mOno,Ony."
"Ba, I thought, Miriam. that Judge
DAlioa's son
"s,aa aud nonsense :" interrupted
Miriam. with gooi.humored imperious.
ness. "Oi course I'm to marry PefcivL
Dalton some dAy--or q, least so the ell
dsrs say. aud I've no doubt he's very
fine young man
"Oh, Miriam. you DO no, mean that
you have never seen him 2
"why. are you 50 hOrrihsd a, ,hA, ?
asked Miss Creswiek. half turning. 80 as
to f..,en a spray Of ro,sbads in her mid
nigh, dark hair. We aren't engaged,
nor shall We be. probably un,ii !, IS as
oertalned whether or no, shall sui, my
lord. He's rich and he's handsome. II
report be true, aad that's pretty nach
ell | care for
"And when does he return from Ei-
rope y asked Constance in brsA,hless
interest.
"In September. l suppose. Come.
Cony. don't you wan, to walk down to
the post-OfIi:e' I'm so tired OF doing
nothing"
The two girls had jus, emerged from
the shady line upon the quiet country
road. when q tall young man OF the fair
haired Saxon style OF face passed them.
carelessly dOfiing hi, cap to Constance
Dale.
"who Is that, Goa. whispered Miss
Cre.wiek. turning her stately head to
look after the vanishing figure.
"Mr. Eger,on's nephew, Percy Wilde
"Ths parsons nephew, How hand.
some he Is, Why didn't you introduce
him ?"
"shsll | call him baek," asked Miss
Dale. laughing.
"Nonsense. Il he villager" "
"No; he Is here for few weeks en-.
joying our fine scenery and delicious
mountain air"
"Good," said Miriam, nodding hel
head. eve can help amuse each other.
"MiriAm!' cried Constance, with q
face iha, Was really shocked; you would
no, fin with him merely for pasiims >
"To be sure would" laughed Miri'
am. "Don't be q fool, Conny-men are
our natural prey, jus, as we are theirs.
And she only made fun OF poor Con-
stances indignant remonstranees.
81 hope he won't speak to you, that'
ALL" said Constance.
"You are no, In lore with him your
self, Goa !" laushingly demanded Miri'
an.
"Of course not !" flashed out Constance
with flaming cheeks; "only do not lik'
10 see any creature, whether brute o.
human. hunted cruelty down."
"It won't hurt him. said Miriam
dryly.
And, true to her word. she did not al
II q 4 - A~I.~-