Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-09-26
DARKNESS
By Nm. HENRY WARD BEEoHER

Llull llUUlW UHlInlNWN
By Nm. HENRY WARD BEEGHER
lcopyrish. ixa By Cooley Publishins osn-
pany.l
CHAPTER u.
Tho evening after Le Barron's funeral
al the Nswtons met In the homo % soon
to pass from their hands Mr.. Newton
there informed his friends that he had,
- much - lay In his power, endeavorsd
10 hasten the final settlement Of al mat
ters connected with his late business. He
had met all who had claims upon the
tirm and brought the whole matter much
nearer thorough adjustment than ct
first he had any reason to anticipate. BE
spoke With great feeling Of the respect
and kindness manifested toward him
personally by all concerned and their
voluntary request that he should ap-
propriats al the psrsonal property about
the house and grounds to his own use.
and they expressed their conviction that
even moro than that would be found
honorably his due.
OF course Le Barron's funeral had pre-
vented the ride to the Montgomery place,
but now. finding there was every promise
VI turning his attention to some new
work, Mr.. Newton desired that Eustace's
proposition should have immediate at
Iention. Il was therefore agreed that
iarly the next morning Eustace should
escort Mira Newton n the farm and on
their return the feasibility Of the project
should be finally settled.
Rose proposed that she should accom-
pany them and have one more ride on
Fairy before she passed from their
hands. and turning sweetly TO her lover
asked II she might trespass on his gal.
lantry for an escort. He excused him.
self on the plea Of prior engagements
and expressed great regret that he could
not enjoy such u treat. All this was
natural enough. and Rose was satisfied,
for her eyes were not yet opened. But
the quick fash that overspread his face
and died away as rapidly rekindled Mr..
Nswton's sorrowful suspicious, and the
earnest recognition that passed between
Dunbar and George told him that Jas
per's manner had but confirmed their
opinions.
1t was painful to wait longer for .
positive denial or unmistakable sdmis-
sion Of his reasonable proclivities. But
who could look on that sweet girl by his
side and have the courage to hasten
denoueinent that might blast the bright
beauty before themf These thoughts
passed with painful rapidity through
Mr.. Newton's mind. and he had just
mastered the indignant impulse "a
Ralph gayly offered to act a. his sisters
cavalier In place Of her recreant knight
and suggested that II might be well to
smuggle Alfreth into the carriage with
the other party, and then. should hrst
impressions prove encouraging, George
and himself could remain to await or
ders and Alfred escort Rose home again.
But his parents were advocates OF con.
sistency under all circumstances, and
whatever they advocated they exempli-
fed by their daily practice. Mr.. New.
ton agreed that such . cayalcade as
Ralph had planned was hardly In good
taste under existing circumstances. He
should much prefer that Dunbar should
accompany the ladies In the most un.
pretending manner. leaving the others
industriously employed In making an In.
ventory Of all In the house and grounds.
A ready assent was given to this sug-
gestion. Ralph remarking that father
would he obliged to exercise the gift OF
patience before he could get them into a
good working condition. for they would,
he feared. be every little while "bolting
from the track" after some fancy frolic
instead Of working like little busy bees,
and strong arm, tight rein and curb
bit would be absolutely necessary to
keep them ON the right side OF the traces.
"well, Ralph. my son. that is an odd
mixture Of quotation and metaphor but
I must say 1t smacks little too much OF
the jockey" ..
"Our good parents are growing . little
obtuse, | think. I've been trying all the
evening to make you comprehend. Hav'
ing taken possession Of the groom's apart.
ments. am happy to find myself not 80
far above my position but that my voca-
tion is recognized" said Ralph. laughing
mcriily.
"what does tho silly boy meany said
his mother.
"Simply." replied George, "that while
you and father were occupied ut Rose
vile yesterday we at home were anx.
ious to make ourselves serviceable.
hope you will not think we are under
taking too great liberties. You know
We must no longer keep retinue OF serv.
ants, and the sooner all changes are
made, I Judge from what you have al.
ready said, the better. Hearing OF good
places for the coachman and one OF the
grooms. we secured them and sent the
men at once. Ralph and ! meanwhile
prefer. ifit meets your appreciation. to
retain the head hostler. John, for o few
pays to teach us our duties, and we will
do the work at the carriage house and
stable till the contents are disposed Of"
"Look at father" said Ralph, laugh
ing. "If he isn't grieving that his
proud sons should stoop to care for the
horses"
"There you are wrong, dear boy. J
was overcome for moment with graft.
tude to God, who has blessed me with
children SO ready to accept not only un.
complainingly but with great cheerful.
ness and alacrity change sudden ~
ours must be. and with no false shame
step In q moment from Q life Of ease to
one Of the lowest forms Of menial labor"
Snow, father, your explanation y
really quite cruel. I had little speech
all ready-thinking you were shocked ut
our labors Of today-to show you how
inconsistent were your precepts. I am
greatly disappointed, for Is am to be q
farmer shall not have many oPportu-
mites for spcechmaking. But we can't
catch father mapping. can we. motherr
playfully patting her cheek.
"well. saucy one, tell as what other
mischief you and George have been about
todayr :. 80.
"Well, we thought you would not Ike
any Of the servants TO leave unpaid.
Fortunately we have always been iber.
ally supplied with pocket money, and
we three boys had more than enough to
make all right with the men and help
Lillian settle with those two utterly use
less appendages. the young ladies' wait
Ing maids" ~