Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-05-17
NUMBER 20.

WI nat tney >aW WAS ClO>s Duttouel,
mud bespattered carryall. between the
shafts Of which stood steaming. weary
bsast of burden with detected, down
dropped head and dripping harness.
What they heard was the sound OF
voices parleying behind the wet cur
tains-womens voices young voices
which stimulated the curiosity Of the
two men without enlightening them.
~ suppose we've got TO see II
through, said Strong, and he plunged
resolutely out into the rain. closely fol-
lowed by Seth. A few strides brought
them 10 the stile, against whose outer
steps the carriage was drawn closely for
the convenience Of the travellers
A child's fretful protest against bro
ken slumber a woman's querulous re-
sponse, n cheerful gurgle Of encourage
ment, a lifted curtain and boundless
surprise.
"wellr'
Pom honor'
"Srong Martini
mamie Colyerv'
OF course the woman was the first 10
grow coherent.
If IL were not no excessively damp
ON this stile, should feel impelled 10
sit right down on this platform until l
got the better Of my feelings. Annabel,
Ann, my dear, where do you suppose
we have fetched up finally"
A white, tired face, pretty but pee
wish, had been thrust from between the
parted curtains To it Miss Colyer had
addressed herself.
"At Mr. Martins, haven't WEI You
told that awful imbecile to take us to
Mr.. Martins"
"En done it," said the awful i'm.
becile" in stolid resentment Them
thar is bofe If I'm Misterses Martin.
There is no denying that. said
Strong, with such bright ring to his
voice that Seth glanced away from the
phenomenon of their lady visitors 10
stare at Strong in fresh bewildermsnt
He had no clew to Strung's one lOre
secret. Mamie Colyer's name and her
bold championship of his cause were too
sacred for idle comment
And your mother will take two bad.
" wrecked women aud "a famished child
in for the night Mamie was demand
ing eagerly, looking down upun them
from the stile. with her skirts gathered
closely abou her trim ankles In prepa
ration for Il, scent
My mother lives thr,e miles from
herr, )" said Strong. holding out his
hand to assist her
She drew back with frightened
gasp.
"Goodnessl Anna. do you hear that
IL don . hear anything but this cross,
ugly boy crying for something to eat.
Adrien. shall certainly 20 crazy II you
don't shut mp.
Mamie spnng rsolutely u the
ground.
Lead the way. Mr. Martin We can
not spend the night OH this stlle Driv-
er. fetch in Mrs Strong's bags and
boxes. "
Strong had already tucked her cold
| little hand in his arm and turned his
face toward the cabin. Ii was good 10
| have her there. Her sweet, strong face,
seen only dimly as yet by the light Of
| his lantern, was unchanged Her power
of lifting the burdens from other shOul-
ders was in full force yet. he scarcely
gave thought 10 the mystery Of her
companion name.
Isn't this just too funny" She cud.
died trit,e closer 10 him. Don't be
selfish, you are carrying two-thirds OF
that umbrella over your own shoulders
and one third over mine r"
Pardon me.
He Immediately shifted the entire
protection TO her, by which time they
| had r, ached the cabin door. where old
Viney stood looking at them IN severe
surprise.
Your dragon?' whispered Mamie
my housekeeper. Placate her If you
do not care 10 starye 10 death before
morning, said Strong laughing light
| heartedly.
"Oh. I've got used to starvation and
every other conceivable horror since /
started out on this awful trip. don t
mind il for myself, but Annabel Is 80
delicate and that boy of hers Ii such a
young fi,nd, you know.
He did not know, and he did not
care to know. They had passed by vi.