Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-03-27
tcUNTINuED.l

.yor v'ls Mrs. Ianberry's prediction
allowed % 50 unfulfilled regarding the
advent of those persons whom she had
design. tel as vagabonds. 1t may have
been out of Difference to Mr.. Carewe's
sense Of decorum or from cautious
regard of what he was liable to do
when lie considered that sense outraged
t.at the gillants of Rouen had placed
themselves under the severe restraint
Of allowing three days to elapse after
their Introduction to Miss Carewe be-
fore they paid their respects at the
house," hut, be that as 1t may, the die
tator was now safely under way down
the Rouen river. and Mrs. Tanberry
reigned in his stead. Thus, at about 8
o'clock that evening, the two ladies sat
in the library engaged in conversation,
though, for the sake Of accuracy, 1t
should be said that Mrs. Tanberry was
engaged in conversation, Miss Betty in
giving ear. when their attention was
arrested by sounds Of n somewhat mu-
steal nature from the lawn, which
sounds were Immediately identified as
emanating from flute and violin.
Mrs. Tanberry bounded across the
room like public building caught by
cyclone, and, dashing ut the candles,
BLOW 'em out, blow 'em outw she ex-
claimed, suiting the action to the word
in Il flustcr of excitement.
"Why?" asked Miss Carewe, startled,
as she rose to her feet. The candles
were out before the question.
why" repeated the merry, husky
voice in the darkness. "My goodness,
child precious, those vagabonds are
here! To think Of your never having
been serenadel before!" Il
She drew the girl to the window and
pointed to Il group Of dim figures near
the lilac bushes. THE dear, delightful
vagabondsr' she chuckled. II knew
they'd come! It's the beautiful Tap
bingham Marsh with his fiddle and
young jeff Bareaud with his flute and
Gene Madrillon and little Frank Chen
oweth and thin Will Cummings to sing.
Hark to the rascalsr'
1t is perfectly truthful to say that
the violin and flute executed the pre-
lude, and then the trio sounded full on
the evening air, the more effective
chords Obligngly drawn out as long as
the breath in the singers could hold
them in order to allow the two fair |
auditors complete benefit of the har-
mony. They sang 1.-The Harp That
Once Through Tara's Halls" and fol. |
lowed it with Long, Long Ago."
THAT" Mrs. Tanberry whispered be- |
tween stifed gusts Of almost uncon- |
trollable laughter, "is meant for just
me-"
"Tell Inc the tales that to me were |
so DEAR" entreated the trio.
II told 'em plenty" gurgled the en-.
livening widow, "and expect between
us we can get up some more"
"Now you are come my grief Is re-
moved" they sang.
"They mean your father Is on his
way to st. Louis" remarked Mrs. Tan.
berry.
LET me forget that so long you have
rovcd.
Let me believe that you love as you loved
Long, long ago. long ago."
applaud, applaud" whispered Mrs.
Tanberry. encouraging the minstrels
by Il hearty clapping Of hands.
Then the candles were relit and the
serenaders invited within. Nelson came
bearing cake and wine, and the house
was made merry. Presently the romp,
Virginia Bareaud, making her appear
ance on the arm Of General Trumhle.
Mrs. Tanbeiry led them all in a hearty
game Of blind mans buff, followed by
as hearty a dancing Of Dan Tucker.
After that, Quadrlle being proposed,
Mrs. Tanberry suggested that Jcffer-
son should run home and bring Fam
chon for the fourth lady. However.
Virginia explained that she had en-
deavorel to persuade both her sister
and Mr.. Gray to accompany the eener-
al and herself. but that Mr.. Gray had
eon. .plancA of indisposition. having suf'
fercd greatly from headache on ac'
count of iuhaling so much smoke at
the war"hoN~e fire. and. of course Fan
chon would not leave him. Miss Ca
rewe permitted herself the slightest
shrug of the shoulders.)
So they danced the quadrlle with
jefferson at the piano and Mr.. Marsh
performing in the character Of lady.
y Proceeding most unacceptable to the
;:ercral, whom Mrs. Tanberry forced to
be his partner. And thus the evening
passed so-iy away. Tappingham
Marsh spok. the truth, indeed, when
he exclaimed in parting. "Oh, rare Mrs.
Tanberry!'
But the house had not done with sere-
aades that night. The guests had long
since departed: the windows were still
and dark under the wan old moon,
which had risen lamely, looking unfa-
mil.ar and not half itself; the air bore
III o,!or of lateness, and nothing NOV.
ed, when delicate harmony stole out
If the shadows beyond the misty gar
Ten. Low but resonant chords sound
ed on the heavier strings Of guitar,
while above them, upon the lighter
wires. rippled slender, tinkling mel.
ody that wooed the slumberer to de-
licious half. wakefulness as dreamily,
as tenderly as the Groom Of rain on the |