Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-04-18
CHAPTER XIII.

While / sat absorbed In delightful
conversation with the daughter Of Colo
mel Fitxroy Mansley the servant an.
nounced that Hank Boyer. my double
and one Of the most unconscionable
miscreants that ever breathed, was
awaiting outside for permission to pay
his respects TO the young woman.
rose with the intention of with
drawing, but she raised her hand in pro-
best.
81 wish You to remain, she said,
"until this interview is over"
"But-but." replied in some en-
barrassment, lit will not be pleasant for
any one Of us F."
az do not mean for you to take part
in il. Come with me-"
She led the way to the alcove and
parted the curtains.
"Sit there until be leaves.
81 have no wish to overhear your con-
versation."
"But I have reasons for wishing you
TO do 30.
"lt shall be 10, then. (.
"Our interview will not be an extend
ed one, was her significant comment
as she drew the curtains together so rs
TO shut me from sight.
Ny situation was peculiar. But for
her command ] could never have con
sented to play the cowan in that man.
ner The thought that possibly shs
might need my assistance helped TO jus.
tify the breach Of decorum on my part.
A minute later / heard football on
tho carpet and the voice Of my double:
"Ah. Esther, I'm, delighted to meet
you! You must have been worried over
my absence, but really 1t couldn't be
helped.
judged that he advanced to take her
hand. but il so she rejected IL, and the
two sat down near the window on the
opposite side Of the room beyond my
sight. though not u syllable escaped me.
As yet che had not spoken. but he gave
her no rest.
"How do you like my looks without
my mustsche?"
"As we'll as with it," she coolly re-
piled. "But why did you remove it?"
"Oh. just u fancyl lie q change
now and then.
"You are sure there was no special
reason?"
"Of course. What are you limiting
at?"
"Do you know gentleman Famed
Mr. Edward Kenmore Of New York
city,"
The cool headed villain could no,
hide his confusion, though he made
strong effort at rally.
~ judge you refer to that poor devil
who stole your chestnut and was caught
before he could get out Of the country.
He claimed that that was his name"
"While the others insisted. You
among them. that he was Hank Boyer
that is, yourself"
"lt was not who did 80, though
was present with the party who made q
social call upon him, but suppose we
let that business drop. added the youne
man, foreseeing ia complications thai
were inevitable il the conversation went
on as il had started.
"But / do not choose to let 1t drop,
and there was now ring in her voice
that was new to me. What do you
think. Henry of q man who commits a
crime and then urges the punishment
therefor upon man whom he knows to
be Innocent"
~ shonld say 1t was deuced shabby
treatment. provided such thing eveI
took place, bat | have better opinion
Of human nature than that. 2"
80 had l until yesterday. can i'm
agine no villainy more debased than
that, and yet, Henry. 1t Is precisely
what you have DONE"
"Haye care, Esther. Such words
are objectionable. You do not realize
what you are saying"
81 realize every word and mean it.
You stole onr horse night before last
from our stable. You took him home tf
Mapleton, or somewhere in that neigh