Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-11-01

side-beside- on, confound ii, Harry"
the generous lad burst out, II would
not like you for rival, for you are
good half foot taller than l, and you
have that about you which would make
woman run to you and think herself
safe were all the Indians in Virginia
up, and you are dark man-l have
heard say they like that-but, but Oh,
I say, Harry, it's shame that you
are here as you are, and not as gen.
tleman and cavalier with the rest Of
us, for all the evidence to the contrary
and all the government to the contrary,
tits, it's the way you should be, and
not word Of that charge do | believe.
May the fiends take me If | do, Harry"
So saying, the lad looked at me, and
verify the tears were In his blue eyes,
and out he thrust his honest hand for
me to grasp, which / did with more OF
comfort than | had had for many
day, though it was the hand Of a rival,
and the next minute forth he burst
again: Say, Harry, ii it be true that
thou art out of the running, and | be-
lieve it must be SO, for how could
say, Harry, think you there is any
chance for me-?
81 know of no reason why there
should not be. Sir Humphrey" said.
"Only, only-that she is what she is.
and | but myself. oh, Harry. was
there ever one like that girl? All the
spirit of daring of man she has, and
yet is she full OF all the sweet ways
Of maid. Faith, she would draw
sword one minute and tie ribbon the
next. Size would have followed Bacon
to the death and sat up all night to
broider herself kerchief. Comrade
and sweetheart both she is, and was
there ever one like her for beauty:
Harry, Harry, saw you ever such II
beauty as Mary Cavendish:'
mo, and never WILL" cried I, so fer
vently and so echoing To the full his
youthful enthusiasm that again that
keen look flashed into his eyes. ''Har-
ry," he stammered out. you do not
a man if you are a-a-and every day
have you seen that angel, and-and-
Harry. may the devil take me II |
would 90 against thee If she-you know
I would not. Harry. for | remember
well how you taught me TO shoot, and
-and-I love thee, Harry, not III such
fool fashion as my sister loveth Mary.
but | love thee, and never would
cross thee"
"Sir Humphrey" said I, "it is not
what you would. nor what l would.
nor what any other man would. but
what be best for Mary Cavendish, ANA
her true happiness of life, that is to
consider whether you love her, or !
love her, or any other man love her"
Faith, and score do he said
gloomily. There be my Lord Estes
and her cousin Ralph, and know not
how many more. Faith, | would not
have her less fair, but sometimes |
would that few were color blind.
But 'tis different when it comes To-
thee, Harry. If She
"Sir Humphrey" said l, were Mary
Cavendish thy sister and myself, and
loving her and she me, and you having
that affection which you say you have
for me, would you yet give her 10 ne
in marriage and think it for her sood:'
Then the poor lad colored and stain
mered, and could not look me in the
face, but it was enough. Let there be
no more talk betwiXt you and me as TO
that matter. Sir Humphrey ! said.
"There is never now nor ut any other
time any question Of marriage betwiXt
Mistress Mary Cavendish and her con
vict tutor, and If he perchance had
been not color blind and had learned
to appraise her at her rare worth. the
more had he been set against such.
And all that he can do for thee, lad,
he will do"
Sir Humphrey was easily paciiied,
having been accustomed from his
babyhood to mastery soothing of his
mother into her own ways of thought.
Again. in spite Of his great stature. he
looked up at me like Il very child.
Harry" lie whispered, heard you her
ever say anything pleasant concerning
meY'
"Many time" l answered quite Sc
riously. though was inwardly laugh
Ing and could not for the life OF me
remember any special favor which she
had paid him in her speech. But
have ever held that Il bold lover hath
the best chance, and, knowing that
boldness depends upon assurance OF
favor set about giving 1t to Sir Hum
phrey, even at some small expense OF
truth.
when. when, Harry?
ooh. many Il time, Sir Humphrey"
"But what? pray thee, tell me what
she said, Harry
81 have not charged my mind, lad