Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-04-20
A LOVE CHASE.

be away for year. It's very sudden.
''Sudden should say sop' he ex-
claimed He looked thoughtfully mp the
avenue for moment, then stammered,
"Miss Margaret too3"
"Yes.
Thereupon no hailed a passing cab,
and before / could get another word
with him dived into the vehicle and
quickly disappeared with ID
Carter Is not bad fellow. He is ex.
ceedingly modest This is most unus-
aal characteristic for young man who
is spending n fortune gathered by an
others talents, but to 80 great degree
does he possess il that it seemed TO him
impossible that Margaret Walcott should
look upon him with other than indiffer-
ence or even repugnance.
"why, vandergust, he said to me
one Sunday afternoon, when he had
dropped in on his way to her house,
"it's ridiculous to suppose that bright
girl like that could care for fellow
like me-a fellow who doesn't know
anything, who has not striking point
except money-when there are so many
men with brains about"
But, acting on my advice, he actually
started to propose that very afternoon.
Miss Walcott," he began as they sat
BY the fireplace in the drawing room
talking commonplaces, "I'm in love. "
Really! Hcw interestingV" cried the
girl, calmly leaning toward him and
gazing ut him, awaiting the rest Of his
revelations.
There was a long silence, during
which Carter carefully drew his left
glove on his right hand Having recov-
cred his courage, he continued naively:
IL know who it's with. Do you know
who it's WITH"
Yourself" she cried, clapping her
hands as though she had made won
derful discovery.
"Oh, dear, no! Neverr' he stammer-
cd. Positively not. You really don't
think so. do you?''
II was just guessing" she replied
soothingly.
Guess again." said he quickly.
with Livia Vandergust, ventured
Miss Walcott after she had given the
matter due consideration, gazing medi-
tatively into the fire, thus unconsciously
showing to Carter the fine profile Of her
face, which glowed in the red light OF
the Goals.
Don't accuse me Of it," cried my
friend in deprecating tone that was
most uncomplimentary TO my charming
cousin. Guess somebody nearer home. :"
And the foolish fellow kept her guess
ing the name of every girl in town but
the right one until the maid brought in
Derby's card.
Was it a wonder that, knowing these
facts, smiled when saw Carter dash
away in cab after I had impaired to
him the news? II was sufficient to send
him up the steps Of the walcott house
in three bounds when his cab drew up
there. Miss WalcOtt was ont. "At teas?"
he ventured to inquire Of the maid.
Eyes" Here arose predicament He
knew Of no less than five that afternoon.
But he had heard that she was to be at
the Trumptons' dinner that night, and
his sole chance of seeing her lay i'll find.
ing her that very afternoon or following
her over Europe.
So he started in ut Mrs. J. Anderson
Oglesby's and most perfunctorily paid
his respects to that energetic woman and
her extremely plain daughter. Then he
searched every corner Of the crowded
drawing rooms and even took surrep-
titious glance into the buffers pantry.
"Isn't that Miss Walcott yonder?" he
said to the young girl who was pouring
tea, indicating mass of black hair
that was conspicuous in the crush.
"why, no." she cried, gazing at him
| in astonishment "She has light hair.
And, besides, she left hours ago. l
should think
The rest of the remark was lost on
my friend, who dashed from the room
and the house and was of in his cab
once more.
He searched in vain for her ut the
Partridges', the Joneses' and the Van
Blunders' and at length reached the
house of my aunt, who was on that aft
ernoon performing the arduous physical
labor Of introducing her daughter to So
ciety. Great, indeed, was my cousins
astonishment when Bennington Carter
was announced, for she knew that he
abhorred teas. But greater still was her
amazement when he let fall the hand
she held out to him, turned suddenly,
eraned his neck so as to see over the
knot Of women about the door and
dashed madly from the room.
Carter had seen her at last, but II
was only q glimpse as the door closed
upon her. He rushed up the stairs to the
dressing room and bounded down again
TO his cab.
(which way did Miss Walcott's car
hage go?'' he cried to the man who call
Cd his conveyance for him.
"Up Fifth avenue, sir, replied that
astonished man.
after itv' exclaimed Carter, jump
ing in and slamming the door.
The bewildered Jehu swung his vehi'
Gle around the corner and dashed up the
avenue, crowded with carriages. Eight
blocks, however. told on the beast, ant
the driver found it expedient to draw uI
at the curb and hold colloquy with hi
fare.
$50 you have lost It, eh?" cried Car
Ter angrily.
eyes, sir, replied the cabby. HI
tipped his hat most respectfully in tn
hope CT modifying the angry man.
i Carter threw himself modify back II
the seat ard for time was silent /
was already dark The pavement wa
filed with people hurrying home ate
the 6ly's work. he had visited ever.
place where he could have hoped to fin'
her, yet Lest her. OF sudden he leane'
through the window and to the cabb.
said. do yen zee any awnings sbou
here?''
The man pierced the gloom with hi