Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-05-29


the windows, the southern sky was rec
with the light Of confagration no
many miles off.
ats Unionville," said the mother o
Zach, when she had found her voice
"the hull towns going" and she sanl
back in her chair helplessly, while Kitty
trembled with new born terror. If the
town was burned up what would become
Of her promised school in the village with
its attendant happiness.
Nearly the whole night long they
watched the huge mass of flame bright
ened smoke roll up and surge away tt
the eastward, for strong west wind was
blowing.
The next day they learned that ovel
a dozen buildings, of more or less mag
nitudc including the post Office, had been
swept away, the fire raging until nothin
was left upon which to expend its fury
though an easterly wind would have
swept nearly the entire town.
1t was couple Of weeks before Kitty
walked the streets of dearly beloved I'm
ionviIle and looked upon the blackened
ruins of what had once been imposing
walls Of clapboards and shingles. for the
village was built most wholly of wood
The post Office had found other quarters,
though the lock boxes, the boxes with
the glass front, the pigeon holes, delivery
windows, drawers, all so dear to Kitty
from long association, were sadly wanted
as the girl stepped into the unfamiliar
place.
"Was all the property destroyed ::
she asked of Allan Gray, who was alone
in the impromptu Office, his unusual fair
white face winter than she had ever seen,
and wearing a strangely haggard and
careworn look.
Everything but what was in the safe
and what is worse of all, number OF
hundred dollars and q lot of stamps
which | was positive put in the safe
coald not be found, and must have burn
ed with the building. Some books also
cannot be found containing accounts and
returns to the department at Washing
ton"
There was strange, half frightened
look on Allan Gray's face as he ceased
speaking that caused Kitty to ask quiet
ly.
They did not accuse you of taking
or"
"No, no." he interrupted, hastily, hi:
fair face tinged with color and his sensitive
lip quivered for an instant; "Majoi
Wynne could not have treated me better
if had been his own son. He says the
deficiency caused by the fire will have to
be allowed by special act of Congress
But what troubles me is the fact that
remember so distinctly Of seeing the
money and other valuables in the safe. y
He turned YEARLY away to wait upor
an applicant, after which he resumed his
story to Kitty. who had stood silently
meantime 81 wanted to resign my clerk
ship, but the Major wouldn't listen to it
He said it was only a mistake and they
would occur if all possible precautions
were taken. l insisted upon leaving a
first, was so positive that had pu
the things in the safe, but he said some
might cast suspicion of wrong doing up
on me if | did, and so / staid."
Kitty made no comments. She learn
ed that Major Wynne had taken the safe
to his house as soon as it could be cooled
sufficiently but beyond the fact that hi
had declared that no money or stamp
were found upon opening it, she coul'
learn nothing. She finished her schoo
in district No. 8, rested a few weeks, ant
took up her duties again in a villag
school room to teach the spring term.
A strangely sober, almost somber
mood had fallen upon Kitty. Her in
cipient filtration or embryo courtship wit
Allan Gray was to all appearances at
stand still. The young couple did nc
avoid each other, yet there was certai
reserve in their conduct not calculated
ripen friendship into a warmer feeling
The post Office had not been consigne
to permanent quarters, nor would it
till the late summer or early fall, thoug
apartments sufficiently commodious ha
been secured for the summer.
The days had scarcely reached the
greatest length when another stir of e'
citement rippled through the current lii
in Unionville. A detective from Wasl
ington had appeared in the village to il
vestigats matters at the post offic
Strange rumors Aoated upon the air. an
Allan Gray and Major Wynne becan
objects of much cursosity to persons I
all tainted with gossipy propensities.