Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-02-05

Ah L e. 4oVAs
MIN an expression Of eager curiosity
and interest.
"Tell me, sir" said she abruptly,
something about yourself and your
brother. Or is that too painfulT
1T will be painful for you to hear, I
am afraid"
mo, nor said she quickly. II don't
care If 1t is painful, II you do not mind.
I want to hear about something in.
teresting, very interesting, 80 that I
can forget-other things"
And again a spasm of pain and dis
tress crossed her face.
Although the doctor would rather
have left the girl to quiet repose, he
thought 1T better to obey her than to
let her remain prey to the distressing
thoughts which were evidently dis
turbing her mind. He sat down there
fore in q chair at a little distance from
her, from which he could see the snow
falling outside and watch her face at
the same time, and he talked to her
in a quiet voice, telling her such anec-
dotes of his own boyhood and his
brothers as he thought might interest
and divert her and marveling the while
at the strange series Of adventures
which had brought him to this singu-
lar situation.
The girl listened until his voice and
the soft grooming Of the rising wind
sent her to sleep.
Then Mason rose from his seat and
went quietly out Of the room and down
the stairs. In the kitchen he found the
old woman, who vouchsafed no saluta-
ton in answer to his. but went on
with her work of scrubbing down the
table with the mechanical ease given
by long practice.
He wondered whether he was In the
way, but was unable to make the sug.
gestion. Not even q look or smile
did she accord him, but went on with
her occupation as If he had been part
Of the furniture.
When she had finished the scrubbing
Of the table, she took up her pail and
retreated into the washhouse at the
back without the least acknowledge
ment Of Masson's courtesy in Opering
the door for her. The doctor lowered
between the belief that she was half
witted and the fancy that she was the
incarnate spirit Of evil.
y a. - II xx,tth q
book to occupy his time, for the whole
library Of the household, marshaled on
the top Of q cupboard in corner, con-
sisted of a Bible in Welsh, an old IL
lustrated family Bible with the Apo
crypha, Moody and Sankey hymn
book, two more hymnbooks, the "Pil-
grim's Progress" Baxter's Saints
Everlasting Rest" and an odd volume
Of somebody's sermons. Mason, who
became more uneasy and anxious
to get away with each succeeding hour,
tried the front door, but without sue
cess. He managed to open 1t indeed;
but, finding himself brought face to
face with q wall Of snow which he
could not even look over, he had to
close it again Immediately.
One Of the windows was completely
blocked up, and the other was only
partially clear. He went into the big.
bare outhouse at the side. where he
heard the footsteps Of some one NOV
ing about. 1t proved to be Tom, who
started forward with scared face on
being disturbed.
"Hellow said Mason, holding the
door open as he looked in, Tor the place
was lighted only by a skylight which
was now blocked with the snow. "You
look as If l startled you. Can you
give me a spade and let me help you?
I'm dying for something to do"
Instead of answering the rough lad
passed his right hand across his brow,
and Mason saw, with surprise, that he
was shaking like a leaf. while the
sweat stood out in glistening beads on
his face.
"Why," pursued the doctor, you
look warm, declare! It's sensation
/ should be very glad Of. I can tell
you! Let me have your spade and tell
me what to do. can handle one. ] as
sure you"
But the lad drew back, trembling
and shaking his head.
"No, now said he hoarsely. stepping
back quickly and waving the other
away with his spade. mo, no! It's
not work for you. mister. Get you
back in there and shut the door. Get
you back. say!'
He seemed to be terror stricken. un-
able to 60 on with his work. Mason.
curious and anxious to have some con.
versation with this, the only member
of the household with whom he had
hardly come In contact, put a brick
against the kitchen door to keep 1t
open and advanced across the rough
floor of the outhouse.
Whereupon Tom, without moments
delay, flung down his spade, gave each
of his shoes sharp kick against the
wall, ran across the floor past Mas
son and, traversing the kitchen with
rapid steps, disappeared into the wash
house, banging the door behind him.
There was not much light In the out
house, and Mason stumbled as he
made his way across the rough, in
numbered ground. By the time the
lad had begun to run Mason had all
but reached him and had to step aside
in order that the spade should not fall
on his toes.
In doing so he stepped upon a loose
board, which shifted under his feet
and caused him to stumble and fall.
His right band slipped between the