Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-07-30
iHErRiUSLArlOI OF FISlVlcs
By GILBERT PARKER.
copyright. iss. by the J. B. LIppincott Col
tcoNTINUED.l


Had he been present Mt certain
scene at Greyhope day or two before
he would have been still more anxious.
1t was the custom at breakfast for Mrs.
Armour to open her husbands letters
and read them while he was engaged
with his newspaper and hand to him
afterward those that were important.
This morning Marion noticed letter
from Frank among the pile and with
out word pounced upon it. She was
curious, as any woman would be, ~
/ see how he took Miss Sherwood's action.
Her father was deep in his paper at the
time Her mother was reading other
letters. Marion read the first few lines
with a feeling of almost painful won.
der, the words were so curious, cynical
and cold.
Richard sat opposite her. He also was
engaged with his paper, but CHANGING
10 glance up saw that she was becoming
very pale and that the letter trembled
in her fingers. Being a little short
sighted, he was not near enough To see
the handwriting He did not speak yet
He watched. Presently. seeing her grow
more excited, he touched her foot under
the table. She looked up and caught his
eye. She gasped slightly. She gave
him warning look and turned away
from her mother. Then she went on
| reading TO the bitter end Presently
| little cry escaped her against her will.
At that her mother looked up, but she
only saw her daughters back. as she
rose hurriedly from the table, saying
that she would return in moment
Mrs. Armour, however. had been star
tied. She knew that Marion had been
| reading letter, and with a mothers
Instinct her thoughts were instantly on
Frank. She spoke quickly, almost sharp
ly. Marion. come here. "
Richard had risen. He came round
the table, and ~ the girl obeyed her
mother took the letter from her fingers
and hastily glanced over II. Mrs. Ar
mour came forward and took her daugh-
tor's arm. Marion" she said, there
Is something wrong-with Frank. What
| is it,"
General Armour was now looking up
at them all curiously. questioningly
| through his glasses, his paper laid down.
his hands resting on the table.
Marion could not answer. She was
sick with regret, vexation and shame.
At the first flush death-for Frank
had been preferable to this. She had
considerable store Of vanity. She was
not very philosophical. Besides she was
not married, and what Captain Vidal.
her devoted admirer and possible hus-
band. would think Of this heathenish
alliance was not cheerful thought 20
her.
She choked down n sob and waved
her hand toward Richard 10 answer for
her. He was pale, too, but cool. He un-
derstood the case instantly. He made
mp his mind instantly also rs to what
ought 10 be--must be-done.
well. mother" he said, 'it is
about Frank. Bur he is all right-that
is, he is alive and well in body. But
he has arranged hateful little embar-
rassmont for Us. He is married "
Married. said his mother family.
"Oh. poor Lady Agnes
Marion sniffed little viciously at
this
Married. Married. said his father.
"Well, what about il, eh: What about
it,"
The mother wrung her hands. "Oh,
| know il is something dreadful-dread'
full He has married some horrible wild
person or something.
Richard. miserable ns he was, re-
mained calm. Well" said he. 81
don't know about her being horrible.
Frank is silent on that point. but she is
wild enough-a wild Indian, in fact. "
Indian! Indianl Good God, a red
nigger!" cried General Armour barsh-
ly, starting TO his feet.
IAN Indianl A wild Indian" Mrs.
Armour whispered family rs she drop
ped into chair.
And she'll be here in two or three
daysr' fiuttered Marion Historically.
Meanwhile Richard had hastily pick
cd up The Times. "She is due here the
day after tomorrow. he said deliber-
ately. Frank is as decisive as he Is
rash. Well, it is melancholy tit for
tat
What do you mean by tit for tat?'
cried his father angrily.
''Oh, mean that-that we tried to
hasten Julia's marriage with the other
fellow, and no is giving Us one Ill re-
turn, and you will all agree that it's .
pretty permanent one. y
The old soldier recovered himself and
was beside his wife in an instant. He
took her hand Don't fret about 1t.
wife," he said. Its an ugly bust
ness, but we must put up with 1t. The
boy was out If his head We are old
now, my dear, but there was time
when we should have resented such
thing rs much as Frank, though not in
the same fashion perhaps-not in the
same fashion. The old man pressed
his lips hard to keep down his emotion.
"Oh, how could he, how could he!"
said his mother. 1--WE meant every
thing for the best"
1T is always dangerous business
meddling with lovers affairs, "rejoined
Richard. Lovers take themselves very
seriously indeed, and-well, here the
thing is Now, who will go and fetch
her from Liverpool? l should say that
both my father and my mother ought
to go"
Thus Richard took it for granted that
they would receive Franks Indian wife
into their home. He intended that, so
far as he was concerned, there should
be no doubt upon the question from the
beginning
Never! She shall never come here"
said Marion with flashing eyes. "a COM
mon squaw, with greasy hair and blan-
kets and big mouth and black teeth, who
eats with her fingers and grunts! If she
does, il she is brought to Greyhope, l
will never show my face in the world
again Frank married the animal.
Why does he ship her home to us? Why
didn't he come with her? Why does he
not take her to a home Of his own and
not send her here to turn our house into
q menagerie!'
Marion drew her skirt back, as If the
common squaw, with her blankets and
grease, was at that moment near her.
"Well, you see. continued Richard,
that is just it. As said, Frank ar.