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

Cnen0wetn 10unQ each Ills opportunity
In the afternoon. The party was small
and no one had been able to effect a
total unconsciousness of tic maueuvers
of the two gentlemen. Even FanchOn
Bareaud comprehcnded lauguidly,
though she was more blurred than ever,
and her faraway eyes belied the me-
chanical vivacity Of her manner. for
Craiiey was thirty miles down the river
with fishing rod neltly packed in a
leather case.
Mr.. Vanrevel, of course, was not In
vited. No one would have thought Of
asking him to join a small party Of
which Robert Carewe's daughter was
to be a member. but it was happiness
enough for Tom that night to lie hid
den in the shrubbery looking up Mt the
stars between the leaves while he lis
tened to her harp and borne through the
open window OH enchanted airs the
voice of Elizabeth Carewe' singing
"Robin Adair."
1t was now that the town induiged
its liveliest spirit. Never an evening
lacked its junketing, while the happy
folk of Rouen set the early summer
to music. Serenade, dance and song
for them, the light hearts, young and
old making gay together. 1t was all
laughter, either in sunshine or by can
delight, undisturbed by the far thIn-
der below the southern horizon, where
Zachary Taylor had pitched his tent.
upon the Rio Grande.
One fair evening soon after that eX-
cursion which had proved fatal to the
hopes of the handsome TapDingham
and of the youthful Chenoweh it was
the privilege of Mr.. Thomas Vanrevel
to assist Miss Carewe and her chaper0n
from their carriage as they drove up to
a dance ut the Bareauds. This good
fortune fell only to great deserving, for
he had spent an hour lurking outside
the house in the hope of performing
such offices for them.
Heaven was In his nOul, and the
breath departed out Of his body when,
after moment of hesitation, Miss
Betty's little lace gauntleted glove was
placed in his hand. and her white slip
per shimmered out from the lilac
fOunces of her dress to fall like ben
ediction. he thought, on each of the
carriage steps.
1t was the age Of garlands. They
wreathei the muses., the seasons and
their speech, SO the women wore
wreaths in their hair, and Miss Betty's
that night was of marguerites. Read
your fortune in them ALL" whispered
Toms heart, land of whOmsOever you
wish to learn every petal will say, He
loves you; none declare he loves YOU
nOtv"
She bowed slightly. but did not speak
to him, which was perhaps Il better re-
ceptiOn than that accorded the young
man by her companion. "Oh, it's you,
is it?" was Mrs. Tanberry's courteous
observation as she canted the vehicle
in her descent. She looked sharply ut
Miss Betty. and even the small glow Of
the carriage lamps showed that the girls
cheeks had flushed very red. Mr.. Van
revel, on the contrary. was pale.
They stood for moment in awk-
ward silence, while from the lighted
house where the flying figures circled
came the waltz, II Dreamt That
Dwe-helt In Ma-har-ble Halls" Toms
own dreams were much wilder than
the gypsy girls. he knew that, yet he
spoke out bravely:
"Will you dance the first two with
me-"
Miss Betty bit her lip, frowned, turn
ed away and, vouchSafing no reply,
walked toward the house with her
eyes fixed on the ground; but just as
they reached the door she flashed over
him a look that scorched him from
head to foot and sent his spirits down
through the soles of his boots to exca-
vate grotto in the depths Of the
earth, so charged it was with wrathful
pity and contempt.
"Yes! she said abruptly and follow
ed Mrs. Tanberry to the dressing room.
(To BIZ CONTINUED.