Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-03-22

rose the green wall Of the forest trees
that fringed the plantation ON it's water
front. Below them, washing the green
lower slopes of the cliff. the river with
| its ceaseless throb and flow.
| Across the tawny watery expanse the
glimmering lights Of sleeping hamlet.
Over them an onyx sky. pierced here
and there at far intervals with dia-
mond point Of light The time and the
place invited condolences.
First thing a fire. told the fellows
on the Dean that We was lookin for sis
~ to come down with them, and IL they
seen light on the cliff they was to put
her out mt Ncvitt's. If they didn't see
no light, they was to carry her on round
the pint TO ,he wharfboat You see, il
II had been rainin tonight, / shouldn't I
affixed the little thing to take this
ride "
The fire was soon lighted, and By the
crackling, lcaping flames Seth looked
into Strong pale, troubled face. Two
fallen logs furnished them resting places.
Strong renewed his proffer Of a cigar,
which Seth accepted and pulled at with
a vigor bespcaking unfamiliarity Wi
tobacco in its most refined manifestation.
"You put the lantern in the wagon,
didn't you, Strong!"
| yes"
"Well. then, there amt nothin
more to do but wait and longish wait
it's likely to be" From under the
sheltering cover Of his hat brim he was
scanning Strong's face with the tender
est solicitude. There were dark circles
about the boys handsome eyes and a
pallor about his temples that "didn t
look healthy" all Of which might b.
laid TO the account Of oyerstudy, but
those hard, bitter curves about his
mouth were new and puzzling. Acroe )
the flames Of the beacon fire Strong flung
q glance that was pathetic in its per-
plexity. seth -
"Yes. Strong"
"I've "A great notion to tell you my
trouble, only don't see what good 1t
will do. "
Just as You please, lad. Don't speak
Just 10 crafty me. Only-if it's any
thing about money, don't b. feared to
speak out I've been layin little by
from my wages as fathers helper, to
stock Little Neck, but / amt quite
ready TO stock il yet, ard il the money II
b. any service 10 you'-
1T is not about money. Seth. 1T
least, not the way you think. Does Lit
tie Neck really belong To you now:'
Clean Not dollar Of debt on it. y
IL am glad-very glad. You are
worth dozen Of me. old fellow. Shake
hands -
"Pshaw Givin your old buddy
taffy.'' But Seth's laugh was u pleased
laugh and his hand grip was hearty.
"You amt begun yet We're goin to
make u doctor Of you. We're bound TO
have one gentleman in the Martin fam
lily.
Strong made gesture Of impatience
and emitted cultural sound that might
mean anything or nothing. They smoke d
in silence for few moments. and then,
with violent suddenness, Strong's heart
committed its indiscretion.
Buddy Seth if any one were 10 tell
you that had left college under suspi-
cion Of being thief. what would you
say or do:'
"A thiefv' Seth roared, sending the
word far into the still night air.
"A poor, petty thief Of gold trinkets
and opera glasses and s5 bills
"Iwould say that the suspicioner was
burned fool, and if you hadn't done
it for yourself I'd whale the life out II
him.
Strong laughed unpleasantly.
Then you would have bad to whale
the entire faculty and every boy in coll
lege except two. The suspicion seemed
well founded "
Seemed Seth sprang to his feet ex-
citedly You don't mean to tell me,
Strong, that you've come away from
Shingleton without turnin things upside
down and inside out to show 'em who
the true thi,f was: Surely you sifted t
to the bottom:"
~ did not need to sift. knew.
"And didn I tell? Then you re ready
to stand with the angels. Let me see II
your wings amt sproutin!'
"No, I'm not angelic in this matter
1t never once occurred TO me that could
b. suspected. Even now it has never
been put into shape so that / could take
hold Of it, That is the internal side OF
the mess.
"But il you knowed who the thief
was, why didn't you hand him over?
Why didn't you tell the truth and
shame the devil:"
II could not. :"
Gould not? | amt never yet seen the
time when wanted 10 tell the truth
and could not. y
Dared Ect, then.
Explain yourself, Strong Martin,
and, by Moses beard, if you've showed
the white feather you amt no brother
sf mine and won't own you. f."
"Adrien Strong was the thief. Seth
Adrien Strong, whose grandfather was
my fathers best friend, whose name l
bear, whose mother is my mothers
only woman friend, whose exposure
would have involved two families
whom love and reverence in bottom
less wretchedness.
"Adrien Strong thief? Strong Mar
tin, you are plum crazy-jest clean
gone distracted"
"There! You were mistaken about
the boat. She is turning the bend now. y
Both men were Oh their feet and hur-
rying the mules into the traces i'll an
other second. The hoarse throated whis'
tie announced that their beacon fire had
not been lighted in vain. Liza was
aboard. In rattling haste they descend
ed the steep bluff road. The steamer
had made better speed She was fiinging
her staging far ont over the tawny Hood
| to be in readiness to drop it upon the
bank mt the earliest possible moment.
Resinous torches were fiaring III their
iron pans ut the boats gunwales and at
the foot Of the broad steps that led tC
the upper deck. The lower deck was a
brilliantly lighted scene Of bustling ac'
tivity, the mate expending superfu'
ity Of exhortation, reprobation and com
mand upon the ebony roustabouts who
stood in double file OH either side Of the
clumsy stage plank.
Seth and Strong stood in utter dark
mesa Their hearts were beating furious
/ ~ ,R