Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-03-16

TO HER CAGE.
py. She was always afraid that my
father would take me away from her
they were separated, you know. And
so we were always hiding. always shut
in. And after she died l was sent to
school in big city and lived all OF
my girlhood behind high walls.
when / became my own mistress
bought bungalow out here, and be.
cause / had lived always under strict
rules l said that l would live without
any-that would not even enter the
bondage Of matrimony--and until you
came was US free as bird"
And now you are not free?" He put
the question eagerly.
Her grave eyes met his steadily.
NO" she said; "you-you have made
me question. am very happy when !
am with you, fishing or learning songs
or hearing you tell Of your travels.
And sometimes 1t seems to me that Is
the greater happiness.
"But when l am alone think OF the
city where you would take me and
that you would have right to say
whether l should 60 or come, and !
feel as If I were again behind high
walls"
Her eyes were dark with a queer
kind Of terror.
"Poor little wild bird" said Leslie
tenderly; "they kept you Gagged too
long"
He made her sit down beside him
while be led the conversation cheer
fully into other channels, and after a
time he taught her more songs, and
their voices rang out melodiously in
the still October air. And all about
them was the glory of autumnal COL
oring, the red and gold and green Of
the mountain side, with sapphire sky
above.
And when their song was finished
Leslie said, Tomorrow I am going
home"
She caught her breath quickly. ITO
morrow"
Eyes; at half past 10 at night. Will
you wave me FAREWELL"
"You 60 by the river roadr'
Eyes"
II will be on my porch" she prom
ised. "You can see me In the moon
light"
He took her hand and for a moment
stood looking down at her Then he
said softly: II shall not try to tell you
how hard 1t Is for me to so without
some hope. Perhaps some day you will
fsel differently"
Again the frightened look came into
her eyes. "No-no. II you knew ho
unhappy my mother was-my father
was cruel"-
He dropped her hands. "And yor
think" he began, "that might beT
"Oh, no, no." she protested. But
you would have the right to say what
I should do. You would be-my mas
ter"
Little child" he commanded. "looh
at me-"
And when her eyes met his won.
derlngly he said slowly: Love like
mine asks nothing but your happiness
As my wife you would be free, for,
after all. that woman Is the freest who
lives within the circle Of her husbands
love-"
But she shook her head. II can't
feel that way" she murmured. u
wish could"
The next night as Leslie's horse pick.
ed its way carefully down the winding
road 1t reared little when white
figure came out Of the bushes.
81 couldn't bear to wave goOdby 80
far away" the girl faltered as be dis.
mounted and stood beside her. Her
face was very pale In the moonlight,
and her hair shone like gold. And
then there Is something that wart to
say
A light came into his eyes as he
bent over her. "rell me-" he whls.
pered.
II love you" she said simply. but
shook her head at his eager exclama.
ton. "But I cannot marry you-not
now. 1t would not be right-nOt while
I have this fear of the city. But |
want to ask if-if-some day feel
differently-if I should send for you
~o,id vou eonAf