Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-01-09

of self. shame and chivalry, his hand went
into his breast pocket and drew therefrom
big leather pocket-book.
The girl made little indignant gest'
ure, and looked at him with wide opened
naughty eyes.
"Si. scarcely expected an insult
Whereupon Frank began hurried and
indignant reputation of her insinuation.
He insult a woman He who had the
dearest mother and the sweetest little
sister in the world, away of there in the
Eastern States praying for him
"P'raps l amt so dainty in my choice
of words as might be, lady. ] am a
rough fellow at best but I'm dreadful
soft. hearted where woman is concerned.
If you choose to look on me as friend
and straight man-one that never goes
back on his word. you shan't be disap-
pointed. Now, then, how can | serve
you:"
The big pOcke,-book had disappeared,
and the girls face softened at his rough
gsllantry. She extended one little hand
frankly.
Forgive me, sir know that you
are all that you seem. cannot accept
any pecuniary aid from you or any one.
The landlord has offered me position as
a table girl. | shall accept it, and in
tha. way can pay our Indebtedness
Thanks for your kindness. shall not
forget it,
With a little fitting smile she slipped
pas, him and wen, swiftly up the dark
stairway. while the driver proceeded TO
the bar-room, where the men were talk
ing, laughing, smoking and drinking.
Here Hollister listened to a detailed
account Of the disappearance Of Colonel
Pressey, interspersd with various COM
mments concerning him and MS daughter
Cora.
Prcssey was stigmatizcd as a cheat a
villain and a sponge-anything and ev'
crything they called him but an honest
man. There were some expressions OF
sympathy for the girl, but It was very
easy to see she was not liked. Miss
Pressy had held herself too far alooi from
every one in the house to win the ap-
proyal of this free and easy Western com
munity.
One loutish looking fellow, leaning
against the bar rail, remarked, with
snee,ing grin -" That gals q mighty
,tuck-up little critter-reckon she wont
put on any more airs with me :. and ne
sent stream of tobacco-juice in very
skillful manner straight into the mouth
of a spi,,oon which occupied the centre OF
the room.
HolGs,er, who had been silent list
ener until now, crossed leisurely TO this
extraordinary marksmsn, and striking
light blow upon the shoulder, said,
evenly and distinctly: Look here, Jer-
", you don't want to talk any more like
that about Miss Pressy
Coin TO marry her, Frank :"
IL expect to- replied Frank, coolly,
as he turned to select cigar from his
case.
There were no more insinuations
agains. Cora Pressy in his hearing. The
daughter of an unknown adventurer, no
matter how thorough lady she might
seem, and the sweetheart Of the keen
eyed, strong armed stage driver, were
two different persons, and when the
lonely girl entered upon her new duties
the next day, she was surprised at the
kindnesses and consideration Of all about
her.
Frank did not try to weaken the I'M
n,ess;on which his words had made. he
knew that il would be her surest protec-
t;on: that he felt an intense desire to
protect and help her-she was so deli
cate and sorrowful, so absolutely alone,
now tha, her unnatural parent had de-
serted her.
Two or three uueventful days went by,
Cora filling her new situation with salts
factory promptness. There was a bono
Of sympathy growing between them
which she had no desire to break.
One day, twenty miles down bis route,
Frank heard bit of news which worked
him into fever of impatience. Ne'e'
had the whip curled so sharply over the
flank of his sturdy horses, never had hi
made better time than on that day, wher
it seemed to him but snaiTs pace.
At last, however, the stage drew ul
before the inn, whose roof sheltered tn
Girl who, in few short days, had grow
inexpressibly dear to the driver.
He held a hurried consultation wit
the hostler, which resulted in the latte
agreeing to drive the stage on to its des