Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-10-11

Its never too late TO mend" she re-
turned, cruelty, land I've just been
thinking these last few days, and"
"Your first effort In that way:' In
quired revengefully, but she took no
notice and proceeded calmly:
And I've been wondering II you ever
put your arm around another girls
waist. Have your"
Quite unexpected was this terribly
direct question. had to consider q
moment.
"Once," l began gravely, ~ met a
girl" paused.
''wellg' said Nora, impatiently.
"A girl with whom became so friend
" that one evening"
Ipsused again.
..Do 20 on"
II met her at a dance"
20, Willy, how could you?"
II met her at dance, and danced a
quadriile with her.
"Yes"-eagerly-'.and afterwardy'
"There WAS no after ward, dear" said /.
anticipated Nora would be pleased.
She was not.
$40 you mean to say you didn't 60
and cit on the stairs or Ia the conserva-
tory, or"-vaguely-''anywhere!"
mo" said !, did your
Nora was RULED.
"Willy, you are trifiIng with me-"
~ couldn't afford TO, dear"
II see you won't be serious, and yet
have something very serious to say to
you. Something that Maud English
told me last night"
~ heard her." said.
Nora started.
20, you couldn't hear what she ssid.''
"Not quite; but you must remember
that the walls of these country cottages
are mostly made Of paper. You and she
were talking till nearly 2 O'Clock this
morning. | suppose she was treating
you to discourse on Davidson"
perhaps; but Maud told me also
something about you"
lawfully good Of her to mention II "
remarked with affected cheerfulness,
but felt desperately uncomfortable. II
was too bad Of Maud, especially when
she had just got engaged to Davidson.
"Whst do you think II wass' asked
Nora.
~ haven't q notion" replied.
20, guess" but there was no smile on
Nors's face.
swell, maybe she was telling you how
iortunste you were In having such an
adorable individual as l belonging to
you"
laughed feebly.
"Not altogether" said Nora. "She
told me"-and very distinctly the words
csme-"thst two summers ago, Ia this
very place, you used to put your arm
round her waist, and olce you kissed
her! That's all I've got to say, Mr.. Hsr-
ris."
had not heard my surname for quite
q long time, but liked 1t none the bet
ter for that.
Nora moved from me, and my arm
slipped from her waist. II was strange
II had remained there through our con-
yersation. became intensely interested
in fat spider crawling up my sleeve,
and great bee sat on spray OF heather
hard by, wooing the sweetness out Of the
bloom. A lamb on the hills behind bleat-
ed pitifully, and the noise Of water
came monotonously from the rocky cleft
below us. The sun counted for but little
now. There was q long, long silence
between US, but felt that Nora was
looking at me, and at last she spoke.
"Willy."
yes" was little surprised.
"Why don't you look at me and say 1t
isn't true?'
looked at her but breath. "It's true
enough" said briefly.
Silence again. Then, "You're not
frightened Of me, are your" she asked,
softly; and I felt her hand touch my
hair.
so, Willy, you can't imagine how glad
an"
"whats" l cried, forgetting my msn-
ners.
"Glad / found out. Would you
mind putting your arm back where II
was not long sgo?'
put my arm there, but was sorely
puzzled.
"You see, Willy" she began, with a
Quaint look Of trouble In her eyes, VI
had q confession to make to you, and
and IL makes II easier now"
drew her closer. Thank God women
are not angels.
'sDon't bother to tell 1t, DEAR" whis-
pered.
10, but must tell you. When Maud
tod me about you and herself, l had to
tell her about Mr.. Davidson and myself.
For we had just been as bad. Aud, Will
ly, sometimes / felt so dreadful at not
having told you before. Often tried to
speak and couldn't. And then was so
glad when Maudie mentioned you-she
didn't like my story about Mr.. Davidson
for felt that could at last tell you"
"were you quite sure l would TO- Civ
YOU, dears' asked, looking down into
her eyes.
..Sinners must forgive Sinners" she
whispered very gravely. "Ah, Willy,
you don't care any the less do, you? And
you won't think any more of what !
said?"
81 did not think / cared so much, my
Nora, till felt had lost you just now.
And the past IL nothing, when l know
that you are mine to-day"
"And for ever!" she sighed.
ssFor ever and ever!" | added, kissing
her.-Rehoboth Sunday Herald.