Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-30

black goods. Her hat was black, ant
from it dropped and futtered an ebor
veil. tilmy as spiders web. She stood
on the top step and drew on black Sill
gloves. Not a speck Of white or a spot
of color about her dress anywhere
Her rich golden hair was drawn, with
scarcely ripple, into shining. smooth
knot low on her neck. Her face was
plain rather than pretty, but 1t was
now Illuminated and made almost
beautiful by her large gray eyes thai
gazed above the houses across thu
street into the sky with an expression
Of the most appealing sadness and mel
ancholy.
Gather the idea, girls-all black. yor
know, with the preference for crepe dc
oh, crepe de chipe-that's it-al
black. and that sad. faraway look and
the hair shining under the black vel
(you have to be a blond. of courSe)
and try TO look as If, although youl
young life had been blighted just as Il
was about to give hop. skip and
Jump over the threshold Of life. q WALL
in the park might do you good and be
sure to happen out the door at the
right moment, and-oh, it'll fetch ZEN
every time. But it's fierce. now, how
cynical am. amt 1t. to talk abou,
mourning costumes this way?
Mr.. Donovan suddenly reinscribed
Miss Conway upon the tablets OF his
consideration. He threw away the re
naming inch and quarter of his cigal
that would have been good for eight
minutes yet and quickly shifted his
center Of gravity to his low cut paten,
feathers.
Its Il fine. clear evening. Miss Con
way" he said, and If the weather bu
reau could have heard the confiden,
emphasis of his tones 1t would have
hoisted the square white signal and
nailed it to the mast.
ITO them that has the heart to en-
joy it, it is. Mr.. Donovan" said Miss
Conway, with sigh.
Mr.. Donovan in his heart cursed fail
weather. IIeartlesS weather! 1t should
hail and blow and snow to be conso
nant with the mood Of Miss Conway.
81 hope none of your relatives-I hope
you haven't sustained loss?" ven
tured Mr.. Donovan.
Death has claimed" said Miss Con
way. hesitating. mot a relative. but one
who But will not intrude my grief
upon you, Mr. Donovan"
"Intrude" protested MIR. Donovan
"Why, say, Miss Conway, I'd be de-
lighted-that is. I'd be sorry-l mean
I'm sure nobody could sympathize with
you truer than would"
Miss Conway smiled little smile
And. oh. it was sadder than her ex.
preston in respose.
Laugh. and the world laughs with
you: weep. and they give you the
laugh" she quoted.
IL have learned that. Mr.. Dono' an.
| have no friends or acquaintances in
this city But you have been kind to
me. | appreciate it highly"
He had passed her the PEPPER tWi"e
at the table.
ITS tough to be alone in New Yo.S
that's Il cinch,' said Mr.. Donovan.
But. say. whenever this little old town
does loosen up and get friendly 1t goes
the Limit Say you took Il little stIoll
in the park. Miss Conway. Don't you
think i, might cnaSe away some OF
your muligrubs? And If you'd allow
me-
Thanks. Mr.. Donovan. I'd be pleased
to accept of your escort If you think
the company Of one whose heart Is
filed with gloom could be anyways
agreeable to you"
Through the open gates Of the Iron
rallied, old. downtown park, where the
elect once took the air, they strolled
and found a quiet bench.
There is this difference between the
grief of youth and that Of old age
Youths burden is lightened by as
much Of 1t as another shares. Old age
may give and give. but the sorrow re-
mains the same.
"He was my 6ance," confided Miss
Conway at the end Of an hour 1--WE
were going to be married next spring
l don't want you to think that / an
stringing you, Mr.. Donovan, but be
was a real count. He had an estate
and castle in Italy. Count Fernando
Mazzini was his name. | never saw
the beat of him for elegance. Papa
objected, Of course, and once we
eloped, but papa overlook US and took
US back. thought sure papa and
Fernando would fight duel. Papa
has a livery business--in P'kipsee, you
know.
"Finally papa came around. all
right, and said we might he married
next spring. Fernando showed him
9tHHls seS9 Over =, ft to Italy TO get the castle
liked up for US. Papa's very proud,
md when Fernando wanted to give
ne several thousand dollars for my
rousseau he called him down some.
hing awful. He wouldn't even let me
AXE a ring or any presents from him.
And when Fernando sailed came to
be city and got position as cashier
n u candy store.
Three days ago ] got letter from
Italy, forwarded from P'klpsee. saying
hat Fernando had been killed In q
Iondola accident
That is why I am in mourning. My
heart, Mr.. Donovan, will remain for
.ver in his grave. guess am poor
sompany, Mr.. Donovan. but cannot
take any interest in no one. | should
not care to keep you from gayety and
-FOUR friends. who can smile and en-
tertain you. Perhaps you would pre-
fer to walk back to the houses?
Now. girls. II you want to observe
young man hustle out after pick and
shovel just tell him that your heart Il
In some other fellows grave. Young
men are grave robbers by nature. Ash
any widow. Something must be don'
Ito restore that missing organ to weep