Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-09-26

Are you always 30 particular about
the names Of your--your victimsf'
asked Mary with a sarcastic intonation
she couldn't suppress.
MARY" said her mother IN a sooth-
Ing voice.
"victlmw repeated her father queru-
lously. Henry Tennis q victim. !
guess not Why, there isn't shrewd
er or more successful Invester on the
street. II Henry Tennis goes into
thing. there's money In It. And from
the very start, from the very moment
he sent for me to come to his Office.
he's seemed all wrapped up In my
latest idea. But he doesn't put up the
money.
Father" said Mary, trying hard to
control her voice, what did you mean
by saying that Mr.. Tennis was young
and inexperienced and a reckless prodi-
galY
did ! say thaty' querled the old
man.
You did" replied Mary, ring Of In
dignation In her voice; you said he
was easy picking"
"Well, that" shufiied Abner, was
Just q figure Of speech. must have
said 1t before l really knew him. But
hush. think he Is coming up the
street"
Henry Tennis stepped lightly
through the gateway, hat In hand.
Good evening. ALL" he cried with
the easy air Of an old friend. "Ah. Mr..
Vincent" he added. III the ladies will
excuse us, want just word or two
on business with you"
Certainly" cried the little man,
bustling up. This way, Mr.. Vincent"
and he led the caller into lighted
apartment.
II wasn't long interview. When the
men came back to the porch, Tennis did
not take the chair that was offered
him.
Perhaps Miss Mary would enjoy
little stroll" he said, looking toward
the dark corner Of the porch where
the girls white dress family gllmmer-
ed.
"I guess she would" said the father,
and there was nervous energy In his
tone that seemed quite unusual.
The girl hesitated. Then he arose
and fetched her hat. and the two went
down the street together.
Miss Mary" said Tennis presently,
IL want to confess to you that | am
an arrant fraud. I have been coming
to your home on the pretense Of bust
ness with your fasher-for II was a
pretense. Can you guess what really
brought mel Mary. when you went
out Of my Office that eventful morning
I made up my mind that you shouldn't
70 out Of my life. VIII you be my
wifeT
The girl was silent.
Put your hand In mine. dear. II II
means yes"
And now." said Henry a moment
later with an ecstatic sigh Of satisfac-
ton, ''and now for another confes-
sion. DO you know that up to the day
you came 10 see me had never even
heard Of your fatherr
Henry cried the startled girl
"was II all fathers romancingY'
II guess II was. But when his ro-
manclng ended mine began"
How undutiful you must have
thought me, how forward But father
had angered me so. And-and my
warning was all thrown awayY
Thrown away cried Tennis. Not
q bit Of II. II warned me Of the utter
emptiness Of a bachelors selfish life.
Why, my dear girl, there's nobody
lookingw
And on the porch Abner Vincent was
saying IN his querulous voice:
II never was 70 disappointed. When
he told me that II was Mary and not
the company, you could have knocked
me down with q feather"
"She loves him." said the mother
softly.
"She'd betterv cried Abner. Shell
never get another such chance. And the
$4,000" He paused and sighed. did
tell you how he intends to invest the
$4,000"
NO" said the mother.
Hes going 10 settle 1t all on Mary"
cleveland Plain Dealer.