Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-10-09

"wen, I can't blame you for that,
only had hoped to show you some
thing OF the west at It's best before we
turned our faces toward the rising sun
again. What do the girls sayT
"The girls say. Stand not upon the
| order OF your enlng. but 20 quickly"
said saucy Madge. FLO and have
settled everything. We don't want any
more adventures. We've seen enough
OF the country. and the people can
walt. We want to go home" and she
put her knuckles In her eyes and pre-
| tended to boo hoo like q spoiled child.
Draper turned to Florence for confir.
nation. who said:
IL don't want to seem ungrateful but
I should like to get back to New York"
"well, Ives. my boy" said their host.
'you and evidently have no option IN
the matter, but as a mere matter Of
| politeness ! should Ike to bear your
| wishes."
.Oh, I'm for New York." was the un-
biushing reply. You know my leave
expires tomorrow" But the rogue had
taken his cue from Madge. II she had
said. "stay," be would have found
means to square the once Tor 4 few
days longer.
THAT settles itr' said Uncle John.
I'm In q hopeless minority. and, to be
frank with you. I want to get back
myself" And then he told them OF
Filley's disappearance with the money
Intended for their ransom
The wrctch!' hissed Florence Gran
Miss, her usually pale face white with
Indignation. I'VE might have been
murdered for all be cared! | always
disiiked him. but almost came to hate
him on this trip So therer' And she
subsidized into 4 chair, all quivering
with the unwonted excitement
Mrs. Hurst beheld this little outburst
with quiet satisfaction. II nothing
else had been accomplished. Filley had
put himself out Of the running. and the
danger was past That Florence ever
regarded the man seriously she bad
never been quite able TO credit. Now II
was John Draper's turn. and he should
have his innings before New York was
reached.
.'Theu Il was Ches-Mr. ives-who
really saved US after allY' said Madge.
what should we have done without
Jour" she said The words were sim.
pie and commonplace enough. but the
tone and the glance which accompa.
nied them were eloquent Of honest I'D.
miration and maidenly liking. Mra
Hurst saw and In that instant submit.
ted to the inevitable.
"Yes: we certainly owe our safety to
Chester" said Uncle John. Il should
never have thought Of the little river
rs q means Of escape. and II had I'm
too fat to wriggle along IKE an eel In q
water pipe Ah. Ches. my boy. It's you
youngsters who capture all the best
things In life after all. and We old fel
lows have to put up with what Ia left"
sighed Uncle John In mock dlsmay.
But Florence would none Of this and
came to the rescue.
"why. Mr.. Draper. what would we
poor women have done II you had left
usr
yes" chimed In Ives. modestly anx.
Ious to change the direction Of the con-
versation: 'ft needed more courage and
fortitude to stay behind In that den Of
thieves than Il did to cut and run. The
only cur In the party vanished. and We
can thank our stars that be did u none
OF the mischief be intended"
So saying be rose and went to the
window where Madge was gazing
down at the busy life Of the Queen
CITY Of the Plains, and we VIII not dis
turb them.
~How soon can we start. Johny' que
Red Mrs. Hurst
This very evening" was the reply.
I'VE can 20 east with the der at 9
o'clock. Il II agreedY'
"Oh. yes! Let N get away" begged
Florence, and thus II was settled
TENTH OAI.
HoMEwARD BOUND
A small army of car cleaners having
been put to work on the Miranda and
the Pullman. they looked - fresh as at
leaving New York when our friends
went aboard that Wednesday night
With q sigh Of relief Ars- Hurst sank
into her favorite chair.
"It seems almost like homs.' shs
said.
Draper, and Ives busted themselves
looking to the comfort OF the two girls.
and fpr the moment the mother and
chaperon was left alone.
.Well." said Ives when Aadge had
been fused over enough. I'VE are MI
nus one Of our party. but We ought. 10
be thankful that II Il no worse"
'Smail lossr' sniffed Madge contemp.
tuously. I'VE shall have q perfectly
lovely time going back: mo foes with.
out no fears within. a. the old hymn
saya"
.Rather 4 tame ending. don't you
think sor' ventured Uncle John. look
Ing up from his labor Of arranging z
cushion for Elorence's feet
'oh, one can never tell what Will
happen" said Aadge mischievously.
and then, catching the gaze Of Chester
Ives. she blushsd scarlet and made {
| precipitats retreat into the ladies bou.
aoir, whittier FlorsDcs followed hsl
] after . few moments.
I Chester wandered into his place Of
| solitary connnsmsnt ~ be laughingiy
| dubbed the Pullman. where be would
now Be- alone save for the presence Of
| Alec and Henry. and thus LETT Ars
Hurst and her brother alone John
Draper drew % . chair beside her and
sald:
-B<sa I den't intspd b Stand thil
suspspss say longer"
WHY. what e ,lou near. John a1
"Seei,g IS BeGevi,g. "
Wn<n you ~ psopk cwsd H :
remedy, you mrd bsasvs ., Is poaes.
Loo& s,ousd yoa. Friends, relatives.
neiahbss ~ say thAf Hbuds Sassapanla.
Ameries's GrAtea AtdHris, desnsed fhl
Aood Of H.et dev ones and hey nse n
masse 10 stu as pnaises. 7her 8 aotha6
r. tn fe uprId 10 puity fis Nod.