Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-02-28

He was breathing, but UNCONSCIOUS; dead
to the outer world and her presence. She
stood looking ut him and seeming with
her large, solemn eyes to review those
scenes Of terror and Of relief since she
had known him. Tears gathered In the
brave. quiet eyes.
Suddenly she stooped and kisscd his
forehead. Then she psssionately kissed
his lips. She grew to him - II she would
interfuss anew that ichor Of love into his
being.
She turned to me, all crimsoned, but
self possessed.
"Imeant you should see me prove my
love-" she said. II am proud Of myself
for it-proud Of my heart that II can
know and love this noblest and tenderest
nature. Tell him 20. Tell him It is not
gratitude, but love. He will know that
I could not stay. Ny life belongs to my
father. Where he goes must 20. What
other friend has he than me? ! go with
my father, but here my heart remains
Tell him %. Please let me write to you
You will not forget your comrade. !
owe moro than life to you. Do let me
keep myself In your memory. Idread
my life before me. I will keep you In.
formed Of my fathers plans. And when
this dearest one Is well again, II he re-
members me, tell him love him and
that parted from him-so."
She bent again and kissed him passion.
ately. then departed, and her tears were
on his cheek.
Brent's stupor lasted many days. Life
had been strained to its utmost. Body.
brain, heart, all had hal exhausting
taxes to pay. The realm must rest.
While his mind slept nature was gently
renewing him. Quiet Is cure to an uu.
tainted life. There was no old fever OF
discomfort In his brain. He had regrets.
but no remorses. Others had harmed
him; his life had been sad one; he had
hever harmed himself. No ugly visions
could visit the uncontrolled hours OF q
brain 20 stored. His trance was peace.
More than peace. for a. I watched his
quiet face knew that his spirit was con.
scious Of spiritual presence. and love
was lowering over him. healing ele.
ment.
At last he walked. He threw v0lition
into the scale Of recovery. He was well
In trice.
Captain Ruby and DR.. Pathie were dis.
posed to growl at the rspidity Of Brent's
cure.
"I have half q mind to turn military
despot, and arrest you" said Ruby. "A
pair OF muffs. even, would be welcome
In the winter at Laramie. You have
made . wretched bungle Of 1t, Pathie.
Why didn't you mend your man delib.
erately, Q muscle Q week, q nerve q
month. and 30 make It six months
jobr'
He took the matter out Of my hands,
and mended himself. There's cool. pa.
tient, determined vitality In him, enough
to set up legion or father arace. Which
Is II, Mr.. Wade, words to say or duties
TO do, that has made him condense his
being on recovery
"Both, I believe. He Is mature now.
and wants. no doubt, to be ut his bust.
ness Of saying and doing"
"And loving" said Ruby.
"Aye," said Pathie. THAT has had
more to do with 1t. hope he will over.
take aud win. for love the boy. keep
my oldish heart pretty well locked
against strangers; but there is warm
cell In 1t. and In that cell he has, sleep
ing and waking. made himself home"
"Ah, DOCTOR" said Ruby, "you and !,
for want Of women to love, have to con.
tent ourselves with poetic rovers like
Brent. He and Biddulph were balls,
operas, champagne on tap, new novels,
hirtations and cigars to me last winter"
We were smoking our pipes on the
verands one warm November day when
this conversation happened.
Ihad not quite forgotten the barrow.
night. as Jake Shamberlain pronounced
him. nor quite forgotten, In grave cares,
u,y fancy that Au stay In Utah was Tor
Miss Clitheroe's Slke.
Twas hardly surprised when. that very
evening. u bronzed traveller. face many
shades darker than hair and beard, rode
up to the post with Delaware Indian.
and was hailed by Ruby As Biddulph.
1--WE were talking Of you not an hour
ago" said Ruby. greeting him. "Wish.
ing you would come TO make last win.
ter's party complete. Brent Is here,
wounded"
"Has he lady with himy' said the
newcomer. His voice and manner were
manly and frank-s chivalrous fellow.
one OF us, one Of the comrsdery Of knights
errant.
"Mr. Wade will give an account OF
her."
"Come In to Brent" said !, "aud we
will talk matters over"
Ruby, model host, cleared the way for
Q parley whose interest he OWNED.
III will see after your horses. Don't
lose your appetite for supper. We have
potatoes!'
"Potatoesy" cried Biddulph. mot IT.
Eyes, and fspjacks and molasses.
ready In half an hour"
"Flapjacks and molasses! Potatoes
and hapjacks!-Yes, and molasses!" Bid.
dulph again exclaimed. "Jewel OF .
Rubyi This Is the ossa on pelion OF
gourmandise. How underdone and over
done all the banquets Of civilization
SCENT ] charge thee, Ruby, when the
potatoes and the hapjacks and molasses
arc ready, that thou peal o jubilee upon
the bell. Now, Mr.. Wade, let me see
this wounded friend, and hear and tell.
The two gentlemen met with cor.
diality. Brent, believe. had never iden.
tilted Miss Clitheroe with the lady Bid.
dulph hed from. and I had never men.
toned my suspicious.
"Not one word. Johnr' said the Driton.
"until know what you have done with
Ellen Clitheroe. Is she safer
Brent comprshended the baronet's
heart and mind ut the word. The other,
I think. saw as plainly on Brent's face
that he was lover. and perhaps the
moro fortunate one. These two loyal
men drew closer ut this, ~ wholly loyal
souls will do. for all the pang Of know.
Ing that one has loved and lost.
Brent told our story In brief.
"But how did you learn OF the events
at Fort Bridgery' I asked the baronst.
"The Lancashire people In the train all
took an interest In the Clitheroes. They
knew from Sizzum what happened when
he followed You and your purpose to give
chase. KNEW John Brent well enough