Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-12-22
RIs. MAINE. TUESDAY. DECEMBER ~, 1896

pounds of 1cSh he had, for they hung on
him in wrinkles, rs though they had shriv-
eled before they had grown. He came and
leaned against the doorpost, whiting
stick.
You're expectin Robert today, amt
yous''
Miranda glanced Mt him with something
OF scorn in her expression.
"Yes, I'm expootin Robert, she an
swered And You know very well, Jim
Clayton, II it bad not been for you he
would never have been condemned for
something he didn't do.
Clayton laughed His small eyes rested
On her hungrily.
"wcll, he sid presently, 'it's taught
him lesson anyway, and it's taught you
one too. You won't bc so trifiin with
mems affections hereafter rs you've been
with mine.
IL never triiled with yours. -
"You didn't. chs Then, when are you
goin IL marry mo!"
She did not answer, and he continued:
"Remelnber. Miss Miranda beaus aint
as plentiful with you now rs they used to
be-. You'll have IL take what you can get y
81 won't take you anyway. Ia rather
live and die single. - thero''
A. he looked up at her, standing on the
step above him, he dcvourcd her words, and
they fed his purpose IA grist feeds mill.
Then, closing his knife with u click, he
put IL In his pocket and started to go.
After be had got few feet away he called
back over his shoulder:
"Goodby. just dropped round 10 see
how things werd guiu. I'm sorry you re
expcctin Robert. You might bo disap-
pointed.
Miranda smiled ~ she turned back into
the house for breakfast Her father had
come down stairs, So they sat down togeth-
er She talked freely, for sho was think
ing much and rapidly. Robert would be-
there soon now she knew, aud she wanted
to have things bright and checry when he
camc-somethiug u rcmlnd him that II
was Christmas
Bu; as noon came and no had not arrived
her spirits began 10 dag. She served the
turkey and pudding for dinner without
eating herself.
"Wherc's your Appetite asked her IA
ther
Il feel as II I'd just had breakfast" "
Land sakcs. its hcen eight hours or
moro You must be- a little worried over
Robert He was an easy going man, and
trouble set lightly on his shoulders
Il am. father | wonder why he docsn t
comcy"
"Oh, he'll be here presently. There's
another train Ia about Is o'clock.
Still she felt restless ard soon hogan 10
watch fur the las, train u thp b. -l o.
railroad over the mcIut,ins ItIls,od. but
Robert did not gct I'll.
What had Jim clayton meant
Her father sat down before the hig log
fire and began u smoke
Robert : late, hc ycnturCd.
But Miranda said nothing Al the
thoughts that she had lad Garinr the day
had left her.
She went 20 the door and looked out
The sky was lcadeu gray aud t..e moon
came over the peaks and cliffs.
She stepped out and went quickly down
the valley \ wind had risen, and as she
had on neither hat nor cuat her thin figure
swnycd against the keen whips Of cold.
Everything along the bluffs looked gigan-
tic In the gloom, which seemed 10 widen
and lengthen as she went on. Tho rows OF
summer cottages at Oakland and Deer
Pnrk-fashionHhl mountain rcsorts--wcre
all shut and deserted, and the great snow
bound hills on each side offered nothing
but blank silence.
Robert" she called. "Robertl"
A little farther on she saw something
lying still and black against the snow.
Her pulse Guickencd Was 1t Robert? Ap-
preaching, she found II was Jim Clayton.
What's the matter, JIM" she asked,
bending over him.
His pale face gazcd up at her through
the moonlight.
I've been waitin and watchin all day
up yonder ON the mountains" he said In