Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-09-11

the other roomp
"Bnt what did you hide for ?" asked
John sharply.
Bob touched his bald head and replied ::
81 heard the ladies up."
John pitched the revolver on tho sofa
and stood pensive. Finally he said with
a sardonic smile:
"Mr. Wilhers, how do you propose TO
get out OF this ? Shall | call 10 The ladies
and let you explain? They wi presently
be wanting to know what we have done
with the burglar"
Bob made no reply. Already bitterly
humiiated he saw no way OF avoiding
indefinite and yet bitter humilialions.
John thought lew minutes longer,
and then he said:
Take seat, MIR. Wlthers; have a
proposition TO make
They sat down.
"You are aware" continued John, in
the calmest, m Js. imperturb ible tone,
"that | dJn'l like your match with my
sister, and have dOnu my best 10 break it
off. But she is an obstinate girl, and |
had pretty much given up hope. These
peculiar circumstances have most unex-
pectedlY put you in my power, and pro-
pose to make the most OF my advantage.
If were to call in Angie now and intro
duce you, feel tolerably well assured
that it would be the end of your matri-
monial expectations in That quarter. Still,
you shall have chance for your life. |
will call her if you say so?" and John
rose.
"For Gods sake, don't let her come in
here" groaned Bob in abject panic.
John grinned, stepped toward the door,
and then turned back irresolutely, NUT
tering:
wonder if it would be the shortest
way out of it TO call her down." Then
with saving reflection upon the uncer-
tainty OF woman's course under any
given sot Of circumstances, he came back
and reseating himself opposite Bob, said
with sardonic smile: $50 you don't like
my little suggestion of giving you one
more chance with Angie? On the whole
think you are wise. The other alterna-
tive is TO leave the house at once. relin-
quish yoar engagement and never see
her again. Make your choice, and as
quickly as convenient, for I'm getting
sleepy" and he yawned lazily.
Bob sat in an attitude OF utter dejec-
ton. staring at the ashes OF the fire,
which an hour ago had blazed as brightly
as his own love-lit fancies. lie was COM
pletely demoralized and almost incapable
OF thought or resolution. There was
something so pitiable in Bob's odd look
ing, dismantled figure, with that queer.
white bulbous head. dimmed, blank eyes
and expression of crushing shame and
defeat that it would have moved almost
any one to compassion. /. did stir COM
FUNCTIONS in George, but there was no
mercy iu Johns steel blue eyes. Two or
three minutes passed in silence so COM
plete that even the almost noiseless
movement OF the French clock on the
mantel was distinctly audible.
you are taking altogether too long to
make up your mind, Mr.. Withers. 1t
will make shorter work to call Angie. ="
finally said John sharply. his patience
quite at the end. He rose and stepped
TO the door as he spoke.
at won't be necessary. John-here
am !" said clear voice, with a sharp
ring in it that the family had learned to
know meant decisive work. and Angie
stepped into the room. her blue eyes
flashing with indignation and her lip
trembling with scorn, beautiful as
goddess.
Bob started up from his sbject attitude
and stood facing her with the look OF
man waiting his doom from the firing
squad. As he stood there, drawn up to
his iull height. with just touch of ap-
peal softening the defiance OF his express
sion, it was manly face and figure in
spite of all. But her brothsr received
| Angles first attention.
"You mean. cowardly fellow !" she
said, in tones of concentrated contempt.
al would not have believed that men
were so mean And / am almost as
much ashamed Of you, Mr.. Withers." she
added, turning to Bob with softer. bpt
yet angry voice. "Did you think. sir,
that took you for your beauty? don't
care if you wear forty wigs, or none.
You are absurdly vain, sir" She was
smiling now. "You should know that
when woman loves man II is OF grace
and not OF works. anyhow, john" she
added, turning to him. as If contrasting
bis slight figure with Bob's fine physique,
"Mr. Withers doesn't wear shoulder
pads" With that purting shot she dis
appeared into the dining room, in mo-
ment reappearing to say: "Mr. Withers,
you may forgive them if you want to-.
| I'm by no means sure that | shall. And
now go to bed all of you, and don't be
keeping US awake"
There was an outward silence for q
few moments. Then John said: