Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-04-09


would lend me his to be learning on
meantime I'd tell him where he could
find Flo"
"Johnnie. Flo screamed.
John Bixby, Jr," Mrs. Bixby groan-
ed.
"Yes'm, did. 1 amt going back on
what l DONE"
"Go on" said his mother again.
"Well, he just looked at me like
was a stray cur, which / amt. and
said, John Bixby, Jr., IL l never find
out where your sister lives until |
bribe you to deceive your mother, the
secret will be kept until doomsday.'
Then he Just turned on his heel and
walked off, holding his head as high
as If he was Grover Cleveland and
Kernelius Vanderbilt rolled into one.
That's what makes me say he's gone
back on Flo. He don't care to know
where she Is. He amt that awful hon
orable."
Flo fed precipitately. Mr.. Biyby
laid down his paper and stared re-
flectively at Johnnie's freckled nose.
Mrs. Bixby turned the long stocking
about on her hand abstractediy. She
was thinking Of her sons moral short
comings. Mr.. Bixby broke the silence.
81 always thought that young man
had more in him than you gave him
credit for, my dear. think he has
shown himself to be the soul Of honor.
Florence might do very much worse
Mrs. Bixby frowned portentously.
"Oh, yes; she might marry a hod
carrier or a milkman. I'll admit he
has acted much better than l should
have expected in this matter. But /
am thinking more Of Johns outra'
geous lack Of honor. What ought to
do to him"
John junior smiled blandly.
"S'long as there amt any harm
done, ma, don't see as you're called
on to do anything in particular"
The mellowing effects Of a good din
ner still held Mr.. Bixby's critical facul'
ties in leash. He had relighted his
cigar and resumed his paper. Mrs.
Bixby looked at him reproachfully.
aren't you going to say word to
your sonT
Mr.. Bixby glared at his son In per
functory manner
Don't you do anything OF this sort
| again. sir. or YOU will have me to deal
with"
The next morning when the Austin
shaft door opened, as 1t always did
Just as the Bxby supply Of milk ar
rived, Flo looked at her lover across
the intervening space with bright, de-
termined eyes.
| "Neddie. this is the very last time
that this must happen. You are not
to open that door another single time
for this sort of thing. 1t makes me
feel too mean for anything. II we can
not meet as we should, why. then, we
| won't meet at all"
"Not at all?'
"Neyer again." said Flo, with n
| quaver In her voice.
"But, my darling. Johnnie tells me
| that YOUR mother wouldn't let me i'll
| II | should go down on my knees 10
her. | don't know why she is so set
| against me. Johnnie says she hates
me worse than a black snake. and she
certainly does act as II she did" He
sighed.
"And then, besides, how on earth
could we talk to each other in hat
parlor"
Flo. too, sighed dolorously. but her
look lost nothing Of it's firmness.
w know-I know it is dreadfully
hard on us. but this sort Of thing can
not 20 on. You're beautiful one to
be lecturing Johnnie about deceit"
"Austin? ButterT" from below.
"Let her come. I'm not deceivlne
nv mother. She knows that | adore
you"
well, then. l am" Flo slammed her
shaft door and bolted II on the inside
quite as II she were Tending Off an In
vasion.
In vain, morning after morning
Wheelock plastered his ear against his
shaft door to detect any movement In
the Bixby apartment. With subtlety
beyond her years Flo had arranged tc
have her supplies sent in In the even
Ing when he was invisible.
Conscience had suddenly resumed
her throne. II Johnnie's deceit had NIL
ed her with such disgust. how could sh'
condpne her own? She could not. Sh'
was a wretch. She would give Neddl'
up entirely. OF course it would XII
her. and, maybe, drive him to hare
drink, for no two people ever had lov
ed each other as she and Neddie did
! But she would die with a conscience
yoid of offense toward her father AM
mother and, she hoped, 1t would max
her hard hearted mother perfectly mis-
cradle.
According to orthodox expectation
Flo, having concluded to be gooo
ought to have been happy. In point
fact. She suddenly developed mos
vicious distaste for the dear liitl
kitchen and everything appertainin
thereto. She should like to throw u
the whole business" She must te
her father that she was tired OF cooE
Ing. and he must advertise for help.
Further reflection, however, brough
the conviction with it that a girl woul
he dreadfully IN the way In CASE
case- No; she would do nothing o
all Things must take their ow
: course. Things did take their ow
course for a week or ten days, durln
which time the disconsolate Wheeloc
tied yotiye offerings Of American Bea'
ty roses to the handle Of her milk ca
and smuggled boxes of bonbons IN.
her market basket. She ate the cand
with n mournful conviction OF veal
ness and hid her precious roses IN III
own tiny little bedroom, which no Oh
ever invaded.
The tenth day Of her v:rtuous unha
piness dawned bright and cloudies
She was stirring about on her side
tbe forbidden shaft in q somewhat lis
loss frame Of mind. 1t was Sunda
and nobody cared when breakfa
should be ready. She was sitting no.
with q dainty regard for her fresh phi
sleeves when fiendish shrek came
through the tube sacred TO the groc
and his ilk. 1t sent her to the 9th
I'll. 80 tho k;tchen with q start. s.