Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-07-06
CHAPTER II.
THE GOING.

Miss Cherryton took the loss Of her
jewels more calmly than most people
would have done, probably because 1t
was her nature TO take events quietly
and comfortably. just as they came.
She also had implicit faith in the po-
lice and never doubted the speedy re-.
covery Of the jewels.
But, strange TO say. she seemed real.
ly concerned about the loss Of her phcas-
ants. She said repeatedly TO Jack,
"How very proyokingp aud at last
made up her mind that Mr.. Wicks
ought to 90 back.
Now, the truth Of the matter was
that Miss Cherryton disliked dogs ex-
tremely. She was afraid OF them. and
it was only on account Of her great fond
ness for Sylvia that in weak moment
she had allowed Mr.. Wicks TO be sent
for, and the death Of the pheasants gave
her tolerably good excuse for Mr..
Wicks' dismissal.
Miss Druce will be dreadfully dis
appointed, pleaded Jack, who saw in
his aunt's decision an opportunity for
making some atonement 10 Sylvia for
having punished Mr.. Wicks. There is,
believe, great truth IN the proverb,
Love me, love my dog. ," he said con-
solingly to himself.
Sylvia, dear" said Miss Cherryton
little later. II am afraid Mr.. Wicks
il too young to be here, and-and am
sorry 10 say that think it would per-
haps be better if he went back. F"
"Oh, Miss Cheryton!" exclaimed
Sylvia, opening her blue eyes wide with
astonishment. II am sorry il he has
been troublesome, but l thought you
liked him little. and he does love the
country so. Won't you let him stay
Just little longer:"
my dear, such pretty pleadings
ought to soften my heart, but mine is a
hard heart"
Look here. aunt, I'll guarantee that
Mr.. Wicks eats no more pheasants. l
will take him under my special care, II
Miss Druce will allow me. I'll lick him
into shape. No, no, / mean caress him
till he becomes the best, most obedient,
tractable, delightful dog in the world.
You positively mustn't refuse, aunt.
Think how Miss Druce will miss Mr..
Wicks."
"And how Mr.. Wicks will miss Miss
Druce," added Sylvia.
"And," continued Jack, "though he
has devoured young pheasants We shall
all miss him..
But Miss Cherryton shook her head
and remained firm through all these ar
guments. =.
Never mind, Miss Druce, said
Jack cheerfully after Aunt Matilda had
left the room. ''Ill try again. Mr..
Wicks mustn't be banisbed il we can
help it. !"
"Thank you." said Sylvia demurely.
"Mr. Wicks will be grateful. And
now, Mr.. Cherrytop. if you have really
nothing better to do, come and give me
another golf lesson.
Jack ran into the hall and seized his
golf bag, saying that it was the best
thing he could do
"Not quite" retorted Sylvia. laugh
ing. "The very best thing that you
could do would be to persuade your
aunt to let dear Mr.. Wicks stay"
'And so / will" exclaimed Jack
with great earnestness.
"How serious" said Sylvia, glancing
quickly ut him, and then there was a
pattering of feet and painting behind
them. 1t was l.r. Wicks.
"How nice! We shall have an audi
ence. Mr. Wicks has como to look on, y
said Sylvia. holding ont her cleek fol
the dog TO jump over.
But Jack thought differently. "fm
afraid we shall find it quite impossible
to play il he does look on" he suggest
ed
"Apd why?"
''Oh. because he'll stand behind yor
lust when you're going to bit, OF come