Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-03-29
NECK OR NOTHING.
B, JEANETTE 4. wALwoRTH.
Copyright. 1897. by the Au,hor.l

By JEANETTE 3. wALw0RTH.
copyright. 1897. by the Author.l
CHAPTER VI
BY fortuitous but somewhat unusual
chance the semiweekly mail had reached
the ex- governors hand before breakfast
and he was devouring it with an avid
ity born of Unsuitable greed and long
fasting.
Two mails week was rather slender
provision at any time for a man who
had once been the leading political mo-
tor in his state 1t was deplorably inad-
equate at time when the country was
convulsed with grave issues for whose
solution finite wisdom was taxed beyond
its utmost powers
Union or secession? There was moth.
ing in life much worth considering ont
side Of that stupendous question. The
papers bristled with pro and con. The
nation held its breath. Would sectional
hatred or large idea craftsmanship tip
the beam? Who might say?
With feverish eagerpess the old
man. who had once held the helm him.
self. with steady nerve and true. fol
lowed the wild tossing and pitching OF
the ship Of state Union or secession?
Would the good ship founder or would
she ride the stormy billows in safety?
Into this rapt frame Of mind Mrs
Strong's SOFT. cultured voice penetrated
confusinsly.
~ think shall have to talk to Eliza
Martin :"
They. the people Of the big house,
were sitting at the breakfast table in
pleasant, loftily ceiled room, with Q
highly ornate fresco Immediately over
head. Long. large paned windows open
ed upon low side gallery. Lamarque
roses. big creamy, fragrant. rioted from
the foot Of its steps to the comb Of its fan
ciful ROOT Through the near rose festoons
and the farther shining green screen OF
the Usage oranges that fringed the prem.
ises a vivid fash Of red had caught Mrs.
Strong's disappearing eye. Quick as the
darting of a swallows wing in UPPER
ether il had come and gone.
The lady frowned severely. Six weeks
now since Seth and Strong had brought
the girl home through the starless small
hours and only by the flashing of that
rcd wing. the central ornament OF an
immensely chic riding turban had her
presence been made known to the mis-
tress Of the big house.
The governor glanced over the edge
Of his paper impatiently. His daughter
in. laws voice was an arresting sound
always Being a woman. she was en-
titled to consideration. But the inter
ruption was especially untimely just
then.
She had disposed Of her share Of the
mail promptly. 1t was mere scrap OF
q letter from Adrien. who had only re-
manned in the rose scented ribbon fes-
tooned chamber long enough 10 secure n
suitable travelling companion before
leaving home again on a supplemental
tour Of all that was best worth seeing
in his own country. When the governor
looked over the edge Of his newspaper,
Adrien' s mother was twisting his letter
into n smooth white cylinder.
II beg your pardon, my dear?" Mrs
Strong repeated her remark with un-
conscious arrogance
II said think shall have to talk to
Eliza Martin. She is assuming rather
an unbecoming attitude. "
Little Elizai"
The governors right hand went up to
his black velvet skullcap and set il in
rotary motion-a sure sign Of perturba-
ton with him. He glanced rcstlessly
around the room and wistfully at the
pile Of yet unopened papers beside his
plate. What was Eliza Martin or any
other girl in the universe by comparison
with the matter discussed in those coil
ed sheets: Mrs Strong answered the
question Of his eyes
"Oh, she is not here in the flesh. l
shall have 70 send a special messenger
for her, presume. She has just dashed
by on that little mare Seth has had In
training for her She spends half her
time ON its back"
The governor had been swallowing
his coffee in cold installments; he now
gulped it by way Of economizing time.
"She is pretty little thing, he took
time to say.
"The pony or the girl?"
1.-THE girl. Dear me. Of course the
girl. Quite style, my dear ! saw her
standing at the dish shelf on the gallery
at Eben's Trimming lamps, / believe.
Unfortunately pretty, / should say.
Decidedly very unfortunate. lreally
call it pity"
Mrs. Strong was emphatic. She was
thinking Of Adrien. She was rather glad
he was away just now. Eliza would
have lost some of the freshness Of nov
city by the time he returned.
II am afraid she is sulking. ! am
told she goes of ON that pony and is
gone for hours at time.
Il imagine she does not go of the
plantation. ! suppose she is renewing
acquaintance with the old place. No
harm iu that, my dear! No impropriety
that can perceive"
mo, no harm.
"Nor danger.
Neither harm nor danger. father. in