Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-08-15

uOWu cOupiosoiy'
Snow that you know ALL" said Mra
Newton, ''surely he has not the effrontery
TO urge longer delay In closing the bud-
mesa"
"Ahi He IL half frsutic. All bis
hopes and courage are crushed, and he
breads the revelations which must bs
made to his family moro than death or
dishonor."
"Eas his wife thus far received no In
timation Of the storm that is gathering
about herr
"Some, I imagine. But beftrs this the
wretched woman must have been told
the whole. When he became satisfed
that the revelation could no longer be
delayed, I took the responsibility Of max.
Ing our determination public and urged
him to hasten to Roseville before the
tidings could reach his family through
general gossip, and before this the tale II
told. II Mrs. Le Barron has any love or
prudence left, she must prove It now, for
she cannot look upon her husband with
out realizing that his life and reason are
both in danger"
"There Is little hope for him II his
safety depends at all upon his wife's gen.
tleness or prudence" said George. "She
loves nothing but her own self. You
would be shocked could you know how
shamefully her family have always been
neglected and tormented whenever their
wishes interfered at all with her selfish
qualification"
"Why, Georgei thought she loved
her children passionately and indulged
them most injudiciously. But for years
have known very little Of them"
"You know, dear mother, your clhl.
drn are often thrown into their society,
and etiquette has madean occasional call
necessary, although the atmosphere has
been very dislas,eini ~ US, and thus we
have of necessity known more OF them
than you could. Oh, mother, 1t just oc-
ours 10 ME that on returning from our
ride this afternoon left Lillian and Rose
to call at the Lc Darrons. had no heart
to accompany them. knowing as ! did OF
fathers anxiciics. aud now ! fear they
will meet witha stormy reception"
"Oh. my son. am very sorry. Should
they learn Of this misfortune there, 1t
will be rude shock for our dear girls"
II am inexpressibly grieved," said the
father. "We could have made the rev.
elation 80 much easier. I have these
dear ones very near my heart OF late. To
them life has been thus far only sunshine.
How will they endure the shadowsr
"Lillian Il naturally quiet and self
possessed. but Rose all life and joyous
ness"
"Oh, father! You do not yet know
our Rose II you fear for her, " said George
earnestly. III do not believe that cher
ish warmer affection for one sister than
the other. Neither will repine, ] am
confident, but In times Of trial OF what
ever nature little Rosie will teach rs all.
Her smile will be Just as glorious. her
sweet voice be heard In cheerful carols
as fresh and hopeful and hope giving In
lonely cottage as In princely parlor. Is
II not NO, motherT
Eyes, my son. You Judge correctly.
Our girls. my dear husband. are brave
spirits and will not murmur at any
change that brings no reproach and
threatens no disunion. but Rose seems
gifted with an abundant overflow OF
cheerful courage that Is peculiarly inspi.
rating to all who are brought within the
sphere Of her influence, and which will
ever be to her the strongest assurance OF
peace and happiness under all circum'
stances"
"But, my dear Lucy, 1t Is not simply
the effect Of change in our pecuniary
state or social position may have OH our
daughters that has caused me 30 much
anxiety. On those points you and George
cannot trust them more fully than do.
But You cannot both have forgotten that
there are other ways In which our mis-
fortune may imperil their peace Of mind
They have given their happiness into
other hands than ours"
"You refer Of course to Dunbar and
Grenyille.. Why, my dear, Eustace has
90 grown up with our children, and Lilly
and he have 10 long thought and felt In
unison that would as soon expect our
boy here would shrink from the trial.
"No, dear; have no fears for Lillian's
peace. but slight and most natural mis-
giving about Grenville. lwish Dunbar
wero here for her own sake more than
fears for his constancy."
"Ah, now you touch the one fear that
has often made me tremble OF late, and
which all this day I have weakly tried to
Danish. Grenville's faults lie mostly In
his pride and aristocratic notions, but he
has truly loving heart. and for our
child am confident his affection Is very
deep and pure. On such love. you know.
[ have ever felt It safe to lean trusting
ly.. II he should fail our darling. she has
given him 50 truly the full love OF her
intense nature. how could sne bear ity'
And the mothers voice was full Of fear.
George had listened to his parents con.
yersation with tightly folded arms and
compressed lips. but now stepping quick.
ly TO his mothers side he laid q hand low
ingly on her shoulder and said;
"Again. say, my dear parents. have
no fear for our noble girla Lillys hap
piness Is In safe keeping. would pledge
my life for Eustace's truth. He viii.
think, DO here tonight. As for Gren-
yille"-he hesitated. and his eyes became
almost fierce. "Our Roses danger lies
In another direction than the loss Of our
poor wealth"
"I do not understand you. my son.
"You know, father. since our land has
been 30 full Of bitterness you have been
fearful that this wild election strife might
lead TO civil war. I have listened with
Difference to your maturer judgment. but
even while It forced itself upon me a. a
correct idea my heart did not recognise
it as q danger that could really befall
us. The United States ut war with each
otherl Ittruly seemed absurd and I'M
possible. But the last few weeks have
brought the idea before me with o fear
that seems like certainty. And. father.
should war come upon rs, Grenville ID
. southerner. though educated ct the
north. and this Il what fills me with ap'
prehension for my sister. Hehas not been
frank with us. His feelings are with the
south"
"Why have you never told rs this DO.
foreY' said Mr.. Newton. with deep emo
ton.
because. although Il h some week.
dnce this suspicion has haunted me. ]
had not been sure beyond doubt till
within two Days Why. II 10 only last