Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-08-30
NUMBER 35.

Ine DuRnten DelnB WruDk tne Dhnu
Of his hostess, pulled his hat down over
his gloomy brows and strobe away with
an air which would have out Hamleted
Hamlet Hardly had he disappeared
when the portiers parted cautiously and
Lalla Braddon entered.
Has he gonei" she whispered miser-
ably.
"Yes," replied Mrs. Baxter, who was
ont Of patience with the little coquette.
"and he says he shall never SEQ you
Dgain.
"Im so glad" with little laugh at
opposite ends Of sob. If I'd been
here, should have called him back.
oh, Jackl" she called experimentahy at
the window, and then ran back timor-
ously to the sofa and buried her face In
the cushions
"He has gone repeated Mrs Baxter
relentlessly. Now, Lalla, please tell
me what oil this means. You know
your mother asked me TO look after you
little while she is in Europe, and /
have q right to know. You'N treated
Jack badly. dismissing him In this
heartless way after the engagement has
been announced"
"Oh, know it But IL isn't my
fault. l only found out last night how
badly we are adapted 10 each other. l
thought IL people liked each other 1t
was enough, but it isn't. II peoples
tastes and dispositions arc al!-criss-
cross, you know--and all that, they are
wretched +"
"But you should have considered all
this before. -
IL didn't know 1t then. oh, how
beautiful it 10 to be Ignorant"
But how came you to lind it on,
now"
Professor Swithin told me.
Professor Swithinr T. echoed Hrs
Baxter in fresh amazement. Way,
what has he TO do with il"
He has looked US up. sobbed Lalla.
"He says we've both got Mars in Libra.
He says we would be miserable-we
would kill each other"
Mrs. Baxter stood m silent thought
moment, and her face was a study.
Then she turned to the girl gently.
Never mind, dear Don't worry, and
we will see what can be done with these
adverse planets Well, Jimmy, what Is
it?"
The last words were addressed TO q
small boy in buttons III you please,
ma am, the housekeeper says can .be
see you few minutes-quickl"
Certainly" Mrs. Baxter sought the
culinary department. where she found
the housekeeper quite alone, looking
depressed None Of the servants was
visible, and tho place resembled Pom
peiian kitchen just unearthed. all the
departments of work having been sud
denly deserted in a half finished condi-
tion.
"Mrs. Baxter" began the housekeep.
or, "the cook and the waitress have
took sudden leave Shall go TO town
to get others: And If do who'll cook
the dinner AID wait on the table mean.
while?"
"How did II happens" said Mrs. Bax.
ter in dismay. Really, it's quite
dreadful.
1T was this way" said the house.
keeper Professor Swithin was down
here talking 10 EN- this morning. and
they say he used bad language
"What nonsense
But it's true as the gospel. Mrs.
ii hR Fa1
their ages Now what decent, middle
aged girl wants to be telling how old
she is? But that wasn't the worst
When they wou.dn't tell him, he said
he knew what they were, and he called
one Of 'em Gemini and the other
Scorpion. II remember right. So they
up and said they wouldn't draw anoth-
er breath under the same roof with the
likes Of such as him, and they're sit
ting outside now on their boxes, wait.
ing for tke stage to come along "
And all these people In the house,
besides extra guests,inyited TO dinner
It is too much. And, taking advantage
Of woman privilege Mrs. Baxter sat
down and burst into tears
stars had spoken. or some foolishness
Of that kind.
"Oh, Uncle Swithin would never do
anything Of that sort He's such good,
kind, well meaning man. "
Heaven preserve me from people
with good Intentions said Mr.. Baxter
cynically They're always making
things unpleasant, and at the same time
they're too good to quarrel with. "
He walked away Just as Jack Armi'
tage appeared. He was a smooth faced,
boyish looking youth, with look Of
serious detert1ination. just now has
lips were compressed, his eyes glowing
like fire. while his soft hat was crushed
convulsively in both hands.
Its all over Mrs. Baxter, he said
tragically.
Whats all oyeri Oh, sec; you've
been quarreling again with Lalla, and
now you We come to me for sympathy
as usual. Well, you shan't huye a bit.
| Go back to her and make it up again.
| ~ tell YOU it's no use, Mrs. Baxter.
| Sut WOu iGN' kht kAfNh .sN
up for coed and all. II you don't be.
lieve me, Just ask her Here is her ring
and all my letters. shall 20 back to
town this afternoon. She's treated me
badly. But she's the finest girl IN the
universe. never was good enough for
her l shall never see her again. IL
thought she cared for any other man,
I'd kill him. But she says she doesn {.
She says she shall never marry. Good
by, Mrs Baxter. I've jest time 70 catch
the train don't wish TO take leave OF
the others Please say Twas called away
by q telegram. Kindly say 1t was the
death of my grandfather. Thousand
thanks, Mrs. Baxter. Goodby.
| To be continued.
Il
L