Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-05-13


lovelier Her heart throbbed like hiv,
; In June. Yes. she wanted to 60 dow
to the water. for love has still some
thing of the sea, but she said. II mus
first 90 and tell father. for he Is in tn,
byrc.'
LET the auld man be. my beauty
He will be sure to say, Don't go, Hell
en- or 1T is too late and near the ex
ercisc.' or There's q fog coming from
the east or the like. of that. Take
your own leave. You are no bairl
now"
AYE. but am. | am fathers BARN
always Wait Il minute. will be
back anon.
She returned in few minutes n lit.
tie dashed. but she lifted her plaid, and
Roy took ii over his arm Then they
strolled dswn to the sands together
AS soon us they were little distance
from the cottage Roy asked:
"What did the auld man say?
"Dinna speak of father that way,
Roy" answered Helen. "Pm not lik.
ing it. Father isn't auld. He can do
as big a days work as any man in
Arran. and he has neither sign nor feel
of old age yet. God forever bless him"
81 am meaning no harm. Helen.
He was speaking very sharp to me
a few days since. and | was not liking
it. But for you, my dautie, would
have given him as good as he sent"
"What were you saying to make ia
ther sharp with your 1t isn't his way
to be interfering"
81 was only telling Will Sennex
about Matte Robinson and her two
lovers The lass is very butterfly of
vanity and conceit. and any lad that
will flatter her cam
I'm not caring to hear about Matte
Robinson 1t is few people that know
the lassie well enough to judge her."
"Maybe. but there is not man or
woman between here and Inachar that
does not ken how poor Archie Lagg is
treated by that wife Of his. She won't
even 60 to the kirk he likes. She says
| SIlt Cdu lLlilh lOI SCI
"How can she have the presump.
ton" asked Helen. with dubious lit.
tie laugh. whose mocking character
Roy did not notice. "St. Paul would
never have believed in such wom-
an"
Indeed he wouldn't" answered the
unsuspicious young man. "You know,
Helen, 1t is the Scripture rule that wo-
men shall ask their husbands about
things they are ignorant of. And ]
was Just saying this and that about
women in general when the auld man
Il mean the elder-snapped me up
with very impertinent remark about
my ain mother"
"Roy. father was hearing something
! I can scarce believe possible about
your cousin Wills boat"
81 ken what you mean."
"Some one was telling you did the
deed, but am sure that is simply un-
thinkable."
"Of course! or course! Would l. for
anything. smirch the name Of the wo-
man | love better than my own life?
| would be q born fool to do it! would
think shame of myself forever"
They had reached by this time a
large rock. and Roy sat down and drew
Helen close to his side. He then tried
to turn the conversation, but Helen
was not satisfied.
"Roy." she said. 81 am not doubling
you, but would be pleased to have the
denial, straight and plain. from you.
There's folk that will be talking. and l
want to be able to speak the words for
you that you will perhaps be too proud
and too angry to speak for yourself.
So. my dear lad. did you paint your
cousins boat name out or did you not"
81 did not. will swear it If you want
me to-"
mo, no! II could not take your
word, | would think still less Of your
oath. Yes or no Is enough for any man
to say; more is just weakness"
81 say Nor then"
"That is all | want Who do you
think is the guilty person? | would
wish to give him. whoever he is,
warning. know we'll the look on my
fathers face when he told me OF his
name and my name being blacked out
And Just because he said so little and
threatened none know he Is set on
making an example of the blackguard.
whoever he may be. So ] would like
to warn him either to confess his fault
to the elder and get his forgiveness or
else put himself out of the reach Of his
lust anger. Who do you think was
able for such q bit of contemplate
spite"
81 think Will Anderson did the deed
with bis ain hands"
aYou do not know what you are
saying, Roy"
81 know fine. Will Anderson did 1t
himself. He thought would get the
blame of 1t and so lose your respect
and liking"
"You are clean mistaken! VIII did
not do 1t. would as soon blame my.
self. An act like that is clean below
and beyond him. The very thought OF
blaekening bis heart and hands In yon
way could never enter into Wills mind.
Why, you fright me, Roy; you fright
mel II I could believe you-tut tut
the thing is impossibleP'
what for are you setting yousep IN
such blaze Of passion? Let the black
mark pass. We have sweeter things to
talk about. am asking you to be my
wife, and l want your Yes this night.
I will not listen to NO II l am right
in thinking you love me, Helen, say
Yes l am that anxious am fairly
trembling with the fear that you did
not mean aught by the smiles you have
blessed me with and the kiss you let
me take this very night Helen, my
dear lassie, say Yes If you don't
shall go to the mischief"
Spring Medicine