Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-05-06
LOVE IS
BLIND
. By CAROLYN WELLS
By CAROLYN WELLS
Copyright. 1901, by Carolyn Wells

COPYRIGHT, 1901, by Carolyn HetS
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On Christmas In her cozy library
Mrs. Tom McIlvaine sits absorbed II
contemplation Of gifts already received
and excited anticipation Of probable
or possible ones to follow. An Inn
pulsive cuckoo shoots out and delivers
his twelve wooden squeaks and snaps
himself in again.
Mrs. McIlvaine-Twelve o'clock. Kit
ty will be here soon. She said she't
call on her way from church-Oh, here
you are! (She rises and greets warmly
q young woman of somewhat frivolous
effects.) Merry Christmas!
Miss Bates-Merry Christmas your
self! Oh. Edith, such larks! What dt
YOU think l did? (She walks toward 6
tableful of Christmas flotsam and jet
samJ oh! Who gave you this chatting
dish? How perfectly lovely!
Mrs. McIlvaine-Brother John. Wha,
have you been up to now. you crazy
girl? You look like spirit of Christ
mas with that holly on your coat. And
Is this mistletoe pinned to your hat
brim?
Miss Bates-Yes. that's the lark. You
see, Just as | was going In church this
morning found that spray on the
steps, and it was lovely, and wanted
It. So, for lack of better place tc
keep it, stuck it in my hat.
Mrs. McIlvaine-With disastrous re
suits. Oh. Kitty. Kitty!
Miss Bates-Yes. Dick Wheeler
kissed me in the vestibule; Captain
Jennings, who has the pew next ours
leaned over and kissed me during the
prayer, and the vestryman who passed
the plate nearly let it fall when he
came to me. but he neglected his priv
ilege. The choir boys threw kisses tc
me. and I expected every minute the
| rector would come down and salute
me, but he didn't. After service
had fairly to scamper out the door
| and here l am. Did John really Civ
| YOU this chatting dish? How much
nicer he Is as a brother than as
| friend! He gave me copy or the
"Sistine Madonna" and ! have three
already. wish he'd ask me to be @
sister to him.
Mrs. McIlvaine-He's much more
likely to ask you to be sister to me.
Miss Bates-Not he! He never pays
the slightest attention to me, and
| adore him.
Mrs. Mcllvaine-He'll be here direct
ly. Leave your hat on and see whether
be pays any attention to you or not.
Miss Bates-I will. Is any one else
coming?
Mrs. McIlvaine-Only Mr.. Henderson
and Tom. You won't mind them.
Miss Bates-Oh. no! In q multitude
Of risks there Is safety.
Mrs. McIlvaIne's brother, John Nor
ris, and her husband appear In the
doorway.
McIlyaine-Merry Christmas. girls
Ohio. madcap Kitty! (He sees the
mistletoe in her hat and kisses heI
| heartily.)
Morris mot observing the mistletoe)-
Ah. 4 special privilege. suppose.
miyhtn't hope for the same. Miss
Bates?
Miss Bates-Not without some Ell
couragement.
Oh-ah-certainly not. Z.
McIlvane-Don't you see any encour
| agement. old man. In the-er-atmos
| phere?
| Morris (noting Miss Bates frigid
manner and forbidding face)-NO:
can't say that | do.
Miss Bates-Of course he doesn't
Why should be? And yet it's tell
Ing situation. Good gracious. Edith
Who gave you this painting?
Mrs. McIlvaine- oh! That's one OF
the exigencies Of the occasion. Christ
mas isn't all beer and skittles.
Miss Bates-What an awful looking
child. Its flesh Is blue.
| Morris Where 1t isn't green.
Miss Bates-And that pink poodle Is
a daisy.
McIlvaine-Why. that's Impressions
tic. Your low natures can't appreciate
high art. All. Ito Mr.. Henderson, who
enters with Bert Barrington.) Merry
| Christmas. old fellow! Hello. Bert
You're just in time. Help me hang
| these green's. Will you!
Barrington-Sure. Merry Christmas
Mrs. Mcllvaine! (ie sees mistletOe IN
Kitty's hat, Well. I'll be blessed
Okisses her)
MOrris-YOu audacious wretch! Dc
you allow such impertinence. Miss
Bates?
Miss Rates-Oh. | can't resent 1t un
der the circumstances.
Barrington-HO no. Never heard
the bough called by that name before
l say. Kit. you look like a poster for
Christmas number.
Miss Bates-Not l. I'm not tai
enough. Christmas poster girls are al
ways eight feet high at least.
Morris speaking aside to Kitty
And you're only as high as my heart.
Darlington (overhearlng him)-Ther
she's not very tall. for you look as II
your heart was In your boots.
Morris-That doesn't follow, for In
sure don't know whether I'm on my
head or my heels.
McIlvaiDe-Ha. ha! Score one. John
Now. you fellows. help me with these
greens. They ought to have been W
hours ago.
Henderson-Ws will. Where's thu
ladder?