Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-09-17


less at her feet! 1t was not cheerful
reflection, and yet he took a certain
delight in his expiation. Perhaps he
had half believed In her without know
ing 1t. What could he do or say? l re-
gret to say he lodged the question
meanly.
"And you think your disguise escaped
detectlon?" he said, looking markedly
at her escaped braid Of hair.
She followed his eyes rather than bis
words. half pettishly caught up tht
loosened braid. swiftly coiled 1t around
the top of her head and. clapping the
weather beaten and battered conical
hat back again upon It. defantly said:
"Yes. Everybody isn't as critical as
you are. and even you wouldn't be-of
q Chinamanw
He had never seen her except when
she was arrayed with the full intention
to affect the beholders and perfectly
conscious of her attractions. He was
utterly unprepared for this complete
ignoring of adornment now, albeit he
was for the first time aware how her
real prettiness made It unnecessary.
She looked fully as charming In this
grotesque head covering as she had IN
that paragon Of fashion-the new hat
which had excited bis tolerant amuse-
ment.
T'm afraid I'm very poor critic"
he said bluntly. II never conceived
that this sort Of thing was at all to
your taste"
81 came to see my father because
wanted TO-" she said with equal blunt
ness.
"And l came to see him though l
didn't want to-" he said. with q cynical
laugh.
She turned and fixed her brown eyes
inquirlngly upon him.
"why did you come. then%
81 was ordered by my directors"
"Then you did not believe he was
theft" she said. her eyes softening.
ut would Ill become me to accuse
your father-or my directors" he said
automatically.
She was quick enough to detect the
suggestion of moral superiority In bis
tone, but woman enough to forgive 1t.
you're no friend Of Windibrook." she
said, 'T know"
IL am not" he replied frankly.
"If you would like to see my pepper.
l can manage It," she said hesitatingly.
"He'll do anything for me-" she added
with touch Of her old pride.
"Who could blame bim7" returned
Masterton gravely. But II he Is free
man now and able to 60 where he likes
and to see whom he likes he may not
care to give an audience to a mere
messenger"
"You wait and let me see him first"
said the girl quickly. Then. as the
sound Of sleighbells came from the
road outside. she added: "Here he Is.
I'll get your clothes. They are out here
drying by the FIRE In the she'd" She
disappeared through back door and
returned presently. bearing bis dried
garments. Dress yourself while take
pepper into the she'd" she said quickly
and ran out into the road.
Masterton dressed himself with diff
Guilty. Although circulation was now
restored and he felt glow through bis
warmed clothes. he was still sorely
bruised and shaken by his fall. he bad
scarcely finished dressing when Mon.
tagu Trixit entered the room from the
shed. Masterton looked at him with q
new Interest and q respect he had new.
er felt before. There certainly was lit
tie Of the daughter In this keen faced.
resolute Tipped man. though bis brown
eyes, like hers. bad the same frank.
steadfast audacity. With q business
brevity that was hurried. but not IN.
kindly. he hoped Masterton bad fully
recovered.
'Thanks to your daughter. I'm all
right now" said Masterton. II need
not tell you that ! believe owe my
life to her energy and courage. for l
think you have experienced what she
can do In that way. Only Jon have
| had the advantage Of those who have
only enjoyed her socsA acquaintance
In knowing all the time what she VA
capable Of" he added significantly.
"She IL good girl" said Trixit brief
| ", yet with slight rise in color on his
| dark, sallow cheek and a sudden va
vering of his steadfast eyes. "She tells
me you have q message from your d.