Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-10-27
COMRADES
...By...
MARTHA M'cULL0cH.WlILlANS
Copyright. 1909, by T. @. Mcclure

Anice made a face at ner image In
the glass, saying as she shook dainty
fist at it: "You idiot! Why don't you
make yourself look as ugly as you
teelY
II think, my DEAR" Aunt Margaret
said, sticking her head through the
open door behind, ut is because vanity
Is trife stronger with you than ap-
prehension. You think you don't want
to marry Charley Cliffe. know you
don't want him to find you fright"
"Isn't it horrible, being so vain, with
ones whole future in the balance"
Anice said, trying hard to be fearful.
Aunt Margaret only laughed. After a
little she said with twinkling eyes: Il
have always thought vanity was among
the heaven implanted instincts which
help to save women from themselves.
Now am sure Of it."
"What do you mean~ Anice cried.
Surely you don't, you can't, think I'm
shamming" Again Miss Gordon
laughed and said: "Not consciously,
my dear. The truth is think you re-
sent the fact that you have no choice
in this made to order match"
"Well, wouldn't that gall any girl
with the spirit Of mouse" Anice de-
manded. Miss Gordon looked thought
full. at is unfortunate, as see It,"
she said. "That, however, does not
alter facts. Instead Of cultivating n
hostile mind, you had much better be
fair. Remember, it is not the young
mans fault. The blame, II blame
there is, lies wholly with old Nine.
Boynton. She wanted her fortune to
20 to you two, her step-grandchildren,
the sole descendants of her two hus-
bands. Besides, think she reasoned
that as Charley, whom she petted,
would certainly marry somebody, 1t
was just as well to put him In the way
of marrying you"
$50 II I say No he gets the whole
fortune, whereas he may relinquish
me and keep two-thirds Of It," Anice
said. "Aunty, have the greatest mind
to stain my face and dye my hair red
and wear a grass green gown and a
yellow stock
"a rainbow would become you ever
so much better" some one said, COM
ing through the door-some one tall
and slim, with merry eyes and hrm,
muscular hands. He went straight up
to Anice and kissed her upon both
cheeks, saying: "Stars and garters!
What beauty you have turned out to
be! Why didn't I come straight to
see you? Nan, dear, I'm in the confes-
sional. I've gone and courted another
girl without ever giving you a chance
"Oh, how jollyw Anice cried. with
all that nonsense out Of the way l am
awfully glad to see you. l remember
you as q real nice boy ever so many
years back"
"I think you were a tartar, and !
know you were ugly" Cliffe said, his
eyes twinkling. ''That's why made
up to the other one. What have you
done to yourself? The girl left be-
hind me was sallow and scrawny and
green eyed, with no hair to speak OF.
and fingers like talons"-
"And just up from six weeks OF re-
ver," Anice interrupted, shaking mop
of yellow brown curls at him. Il have
spent an hour n day ever since forget
ting how l looked just then. II had
known how faithfully you remember
ed"--
"Well, whatY Cliffe asked as she
made tentative pause.
"Oh, nothing" Anice returned. Il al
most said / would have made myself
live up to your recollections."
Cliffe laughed, then ran on: NOW
that under our granddam's nightmare
of a will we have duly arrived at years
of indiscretion let's settle money mat
tiers out of hand. I'm going to relin'
quish you in the presence of witnesses.
You may marry whom you please for
all of me. l shall also give you half
the money
"Oh, I think you are dear" Anice
interrupted, dimpling all over her rosy
face. "And you'll stay here month,
and We'll be the best comrades going.
You'll tell me all about your sweet
heart
ION one condition." Cliffe broke In.
"That you get engaged to somebody
before 60 away"
"You are q trifle unreasonable
Anice said with softly brilliant smile
"I want to be free-free as air for six
whole months-before I even think OF
bondage"
Comrades the two became, comrades
so close and congenial Miss Gordon
looked after them sometimes with eyes
that were not quite clear. "They were
made for each other and will hnd II
out too late" she said in her heart.
Outwardly she kept silence. Fate had
taken up the cards, and she had no
mind to try crossing the deal.
Cliffe spoke often Of his betrothed,
but always vaguely-she was as high
as his heart. her eyes the color he
loved best in all the world. When the
wedding day was set Anice and Aunt
Margaret should know. He had no
sort of doubt they would come to love
his sweetheart as she so well deserved.
Now ond oooin ha cave them messages