Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-05-31

Sether from Childhood WITH all tnt
frankness and simplicity permitted by
country life. would develop into some
hing nearer and dearer and that by
their marriage at the proper time the
two great estates might be united.
| The two children. early informed OF
! this desire, had grown up under the
influence OF the idea. AS they reached
years of discretion they had taken II
| COR granted. considering the arrange.
| ncnt us fact accomplished by tacil
| understanding and habit rather than
by formal promise. Personally ut
| ;iclied to each otlier-nay. even fOndly
.fevtio;la;e- the indefinite tie seemed
sufficiently substantial to bring about
the desired result. Katharine had, es'
pecially during T'albOt's absence In Eu.
rope, resisted all the opportunities and
rejected all lie proposals made to her
ana on this account refused all the
hearts laid at her feet. Since Talbot's
return, however. and especially since
he refused. or hesitated. rather, to cast
his lot in with her own people, his
neighbors and friends, In the Revolu-
ton, the affair had OIL her part at least
assumed a new phase. Still there had
been nothing said or done to prevent
this consummation 80 devoutly to be
wished until the advent Of Seymour.
Then, too, Talbot, calm and confident
In the situation, had not noticed Sey-
mour's infatuation and was entirely
ignorant that the coveted prize had
slipped from his grasp. The insight OF
the confident lover was not so keen as
that of the watchful father.
1t was believed by the principal men
of Virginia that Talbot's sympathies
were with the revolted colonies, but
the influence of his mother, to whom
he had been accustomed to defer, had
hitherto proved sufficient to prevent
him from openly declaring himself.
His visit to England and the delight
full reception he had met with there
had weakened somewhat the ties
which bound him to his native country,
and Iie found himself in state of in
decision as humiliatins us it WAS pain
full. Lord Dunmore and Colonel VIII
ton had each made great efforts to en-
list his support on account OF his
wealth and position and high personal
qualities. 1t was hinted by one that
the ancient barony Of the Talbots
would be revived by the king, and the
gratitude of free and grateful coun-
try, with the consciousness OF having
materially aided In acquiring that in
dependence which should be the birth
right Of every Englishman, was elo-
quently portrayed by the other. When
to the last plea was added the personal
preference Of Katharine Wilton the
balance was overcome, and the hopes
of the mother were doomed to disap-
pOintment.
For his own hopes, however, the de-
cision had come too late, and 1t may
be safely presumed that his hesitation
was one of the main causes through
which the woman he loved escaped
him. for Kathurine's heart was given
to young Seymour, after a ten days
courtship, almost before his eyes. In
any event wiser man would have
seen in Seymour possible-nay, GER
tain-rival by no means to be disre-
garded. An officer who had devoted
himself to the cause Of his country in
response to the first demand OF con-
gress, who had been conspicuously
mentioned for gallantry in general or
ders and reports, who had been severe
ly wounded while protecting Kath-
arine's father at the risk Of his life, as
well bred and as well born as Talbot,
of ample fortune and with a wide
knowledge of men and things acquired
in his merchant voyagings as captain
of one Of his own ships in many seas,
Seymour's single hearted devotion emf
nently fitted him to WOO and win Miss
Katharine Wilton as he had done.
Nevertheless friendship had sprung
I'D between Seymour and the unsus-
pecting Talbot which bade fair to ripen
into intimacy, and it may be supposed
that the stories Of battles in which the
older man had participated, his at
tractive personality, the consideration
in which the young sailor was held by
men of weight and position i'll the col
onies. as a man from whom much was
to be expected. had large influence In
determining Talbot In the course he
proposed taking and which he had not
vet communicated to his mother.
The evening repast had just been nm
ished, and the mother and son were
walking slowly up and down the long
porch overlooking the river in front OF
the house. There was q curious and
interesting likeness between the two
q facial resemblance only, for Madam
Talbot was a slender, rather frail little
woman, and looked smaller by contrast
as she walked by the side Of her son,
who had his arm affectionately thrown
over her shoulder. She was as straight,
however, as he was himself, in spite OF
her years and cares, and bore herself
as proudly erect as In the days of her
youth.
Her black eyes looked out with un'
diminished luster from beneath her
snowy white hair, which needed no
powder and was covered by the mob
cap she wore. She looked every inch
the lady Of the manor, nor did her ac'
tions and words belle her appearance.
The subject Of the conversation was
evidently serious one. There was
troubled expression upon her face In
spite of her self control which was In
marked contrast to the hesitating ana
somewhat irresolute look upon the
handsome countenance Of her son.
"My son, my son." she said at last,
"why will you persist in approaching
me upon this subject? You know my
opinions. l have not hesitated to speak
frankly, and it is not my habit to
change them. In this instance they
are as fixed and as immutable as the
polar star. The traditions and customs
ppcuHnr