Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-10-03

life getting ready for that couple 10
be reunited. IL never struck his warm
and innocent heart that anything could
20 amlss. He piled up special wood
for the parlor: he lowered around the
two bedrooms; he actually had his fln-
ger In every pie and cake baked. He
went to the village store alone once or
twice and after the last visit wore an
air Of the deepest mystery.
Mrs. GLADDEN. stood this until the
hour of retiring.
"Asahel.' she exclaimed. with q
break In her voice. "Asahel. you new
or had a secret from me In all your
life. did your
The rosy man looked as guilty as II
detected In crime. He saw her kind
eyes, and his voice quavered.
"Never before" he whispered, but
I'm so afeard you can't hold this one
over Sunday meetin I'm bound not to
breathe It,"
One dry sob brought him to terms.
at air." he whispered, tiptocing over
to her; EFT air that ! telegraphed to
Devy to git here on the Sunday after.
noon express"
Mrs. Gladden's attitude toward the
world on Sunday morning was the
gossip OF the neighborhood for weeks.
She suddenly assumed an air Of fu-
neral dignity; would converse with no
one and staiked silently out after meet.
Ing and climbed into the sleigh trl.
umphgntly.
you've done It." whispered her hus.
band, delighted. II didn't credit you
with IT,"
After dinner the parlor fire was
lighted. the table spread for company
tea, and Pa GLADDEN. wrapped himself
up TO go for Angcline. He was so hap
py his wife's heart trembled.
"Pa." she said. don't you set too
much store by II. Devah may have
other intentions. and Angeline may not
agree.
"Don't you think it!' declared pa
Angeline are n hundred times prettier
than she war. Devy air n man: that
settles II all. Now do your part.
Leave Devy TO me. Men understand
men,
He brought AngelIne and her valiscs
back In an hour. Mrs. GLADDEN. re-
joiced In her womanly beauty. She
kissed her as tenderly as II she had
been young girl when she helped her
In. Angeline's face beamed.
"How nice you've made everything
for me- she cried. Its like home
coming" Her face grew thoughtful
"It makes me think Of old times
friends"
"well; jus. settle down and make
yourself at home" said pa, coming In.
Il have TO be gone an hour or two.
You and ma can have good old talk"
Awhile later he was stamping OF
the falling snow on the platform Of
the station. The express stopped. an
unusual proceeding. A tall. bronzed
man alighted. and pa met him, 80
eager he almost cried over him as he
shook hands.
Alas. alas! All pas fnesse and sub
tie phrases were forgotten. Finally
he refined In Dolly. almost In sight OF
the house.
'Devy." he quavered. Il always felt
so sorrowful bout you an Angeline
Porter's break OF. You war 80 happy
together when you was young. Devy,
I've got AngelIne here. She air a wild
ow; she aIy finer woman n you could
see In n days travel II air the de-
sire Of my heart TO bring you two to-
gether."
The man beside him grew pale and
gasped: then he wrung the mittened
hand.
Good Ma GLADDEN. came out to the
sleigh She, too. had forgotten her
part. She had been crying and broke
down.
"Please 'scuse Angeline," she said
brokenly; "she's there In the parlor.
Don't you want TO go In, Devah? ]
guess you needn't be afeared."
The tall man strobe past her, his
own eyes misty. The welded couple
left on the steps were not ashamed to
kiss each other with tears and smiles.
Chicago News.