Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-09-26

"Come, come, jasper. don't you be nm
reasonable. That little blister u OF no
consequence. really enjoyed my play.
for q yet Il has been nothing more. But
what would you have me do. Sir Impa-
tiencei SIT on the sofa and let my
mother and sister do what must now be
done-workf You dare not counsel thatr'
"No, dear Ross. But, Mr.. Newton.
my hind friend, let me beg that you win
yield TO my wishes. Let me make Rose
my wife before you leave this her first
home"
"Jasperi" exclaimed Rose. "How dare
You name such thing after those two
shameful examples Of hasty marriages to
avoid the inconveniences Of limited In.
come which We have Just witnessed!
Would you zee me - heartless - the Ls
BarronsY
"That does not follow. Rose. The aid
You co7ld render would Be but little
comparatively. and ! cannot zee you
stoop to labor when Q home Of ease and
affiuence IL waiting for you."
"Stoopi Whatever my mother and sis
ter can do without degradation viii not
lower me In the estimation Of any right
minded person. Eustaoe has no fears ct
Lillian being degraded, and he can also
offer her home Of ease. but he knows
that for the present her first duties keep
her with her parents. II your pride re-
volts at my using broom or engaging
In any of the domestic avocations that
fall to my mothers lot. then should ]
In time share your fortune your foolish
pride will be Just a. much wounded to
know all of us continued to labor. a. we
most probably will"
"Oh, no, never, Rose! You do me In.
justice. II Is but natural, loving you a.
I do. that I should long to protect you
from all hardships. Your friends. though
not disgraced by labor. would never have
sought II as an advisable change. Con.
sent to an immediate marriage, darling.
II you will but yield to this request, ]
know that your father will not refuse.
Let me take you to my mother, show
you our beautiful home, and when your
parents are settled we will visit them be-
fore install you mistress Of the little
cottage now building for you"
Her parents, George and Dunbar, all
listened without interruption and with
beating hearts, for they felt that the cri.
sis was not far distant. and Roses I'M
natural pallor indicated u strife In her
own mind beyond and distinct from that
natural to her lovers petition. The 81.
lence was but for o moment, and then.
though her cheek was deadly pale. her
voice was firm and clear. but Its birdlike
tones were wanting.
"Jasper, let this subject rest for the
present. You know well. II you will do
me justice. that ! do not thwart your
wishes from any foolish coyness. We
are both young. and our youth was the
reason why my parents and your own
wish our union deferred two years, and
We recognized the wisdom Of their unit.
ell Judgment Six months only Of that
time have passed. and instead Of my ia
theirs losses changing the plan first adopt
ed my respect and flial affection make
II now an imperative duty. Ishould de-
spise myself, and 80 would you In short
time. u I yielded to your present i'm.
pulses to avoid what you call hardship.
but which I name pleasure.
"Do not interrupt me. my friend.
There Is something else which ! must
say, and you must hear me patiently. A
few months. perhaps weeks. will deter
mine II peace Is to continue In all our
borders. Until this question Is settled
I remain among my own people Hear
me yet moment longer" and she
caught his hand while she trembled
like an aspen leaf. 'dear Jasper, hear
me. have not understood you Of late.
I had thought your whole heart so full
Of patriotism that no local attachments
could make you swerve. But within a
few days-oh. Jasper-I ask no question,
wish for no explanation now. Twill. ]
do trust your patriotism, and to prOve
my trust before all here promise, and ]
know my parents will not gainsay the
pledge. Should this bitterness end in
war, no matter how soon, my brothers
will, l know. be ready to enlist In tie
first call-and your" All! who could re-
sist the pleading look Of agony she bent
upon that face, disfgured by so many
emotionsl
"And you, beloved, will spring to arms
with them to fght together under Or
dear old aag for justice and freedom.
With all my heart will bid you god
speed, and. father. tho day my brothers
and jasper march to the rescue ] solemn.
ly promise to become his wifer
"Aineni with all our hearts" said her
parents In one breath, but Grenville
clasped her a moment to his breast. OK.
"Rose! Rose! You tempt and try me
but this is idle enthusiasm.
There Is no war. probably will be none.
unless the north
"Oh. let us drop this subject" said
Rose. "You understand me. And as
I have said. God Is my witness, 80 will ]
do. When the time Of trial comes, and
come It will. you are too good. too noble.
to be found wanting"
"But hear me. Rosel You must and
will Should we DO involved In war.
why must Join In the contesti Consent
to be mine now and let rs revisit to-
gether In the old world the scenes you
have 90 often described"
"And this to mel To mel Oh, Jasperr
And clasping her hands tightly over her
eyes-in tones 90 childlike and piteous-
"but I did not understandyou. ldream.
I did not hear you. You did but Jest TO
try me. Let It pass. You need not eI.
plain" she continued to moan.
A moments pause. and then 0 great
change passed over her. With head erect
and eyes ~ keen and resoluts - q mar.
tial hero she said.
"There needs no more words. You
must know I would never join hands
with one who could leave his country or
remain idle In time Of peril. A scorn
eoualed only by what should feel for q
traitor would annihilate every emotion
Of love FROM my hssrt. But i must say
good night to all. Remember" laying
her hand tenderly on Jasper's arm. II
know this u but sport, rather cruel, but
I trust you oil the same, and you VIII not
fail me when the trial comes. For my
sake let me ssk that no more Be said on
this subject tonight"
Grenvills rose ~ she left the room' cvi-
10 a.. d.-S.,, ~ v.rlvtu0 bft