Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-05-03
Summer Time.

register. ,r, ..,a 80 h,m.o,f
81 wonder If / shall have the luck to be-
come acquainted with her?"
An hour later he saw her again. she
was alone upon the pier, holding lace
trimmed parasol over her and watching
two boys fishing. He looked at her,
wondering if the world contained a
match for her loneliness.
The boys had pulled up fish and
were scrambling upon the slippery pier
to subdue it. Her beautiful teeth SHOW
ed as she smiled at the little fishermen:
Plaisted watched her, entranced, until
he noticed that she had ceased to smile
at the boys and was looking at him.
There was touch of indignation in her
glance, as if she resented his staring.
He looked away, angry at himself for
having offended her. Suddenly he heard
her scream and turned to see one OF the
bows fall from the pier into the water.
He rushed to the rescue, and in mo-
ment was clinging to the piling with one
arm while he held the boy with the other.
Walden Plaisted Immediately became
hero. But the girl whose beauty had
charmed him had not remained with the
crowd to offer her congratulations. he
was sorry and troubled. After getting
away from the people who wished to
praise him for his bravery he hurried
to the hotel and changed his clothes.
Just before it was time for dinner he
went out through the side door, wishing
to be alone.
Under ordinary circumstances he
would have been glad to receive the at
tention the Others desired to bestow
upon him but there was only one thought
in his mind-one wish in his breast. He
saw her presently hurting toward him.
"That was so brave of you," she said,
stopping where he might have reached
out and clasped her in his arms. 81
didn't stay after saw that you and the
child were safe, because l wished to tell
you when no others were near what
noble thing you did,"
He stammered something about having
done no more than any other man would
have done; then, having regained his
senses to some extent, he introduced
himself.
81 am so glad to know you, Mr.. Plais-
ted" she said. II am Miss Arkwright.
| came here to meet my aunt, who was
to come from Minneapolis, but she has
been detained, and SO you see am all
alone. l suppose the people here are
wondering why l have come to such a
place without friends"
81 hope" he answered, "that you will
not have occasion hereafter to feel lone
| ly."
She looked at the ground and said:
81 don't think l SHALL" During the
days that followed they strolled together
along the water or back over the hills
and forgot there were other people in
the world. They asked little about each
others history. Each had JOY in look
ing into the others eyes that seemed to
make words useless and obtrusive. But
one day after they had been sitting for
long time on little knoll overlooking
the strait, where the yachts were passing
to and fro, she said:
"You are professional man, aren't
you?"
"What makes you think SOP" he asked.
"There is something so thong htful in
your eyes that know you must be used
to deep study"
mo" he laughed. 81 am not pro-
fessional man. l am in the mercantile
business. But hope you will not think
any less of me on that account"
Her lips parted in the smile that al
ways made him forget the past and the
future.
81 would be very ungrateful if did"
she said. 81 have to thank the mercan-
tile business for great deal"
From which he concluded that her IA
Their must have made his fortune in
trade.
The end of Plaisted's week came with
suddenness that stunned him. And in
the evening after day that he knew he
never could forget he told her it was
necessary for him to say good-by.
81 am so sorry" she said. "But
suppose when mans business interests
demand his attention he must obey"
On the following Monday Walden
Plaisted went back to his counter in the
great house of Maitland, Paddleford &
Co., thinking of the beautiful heiress
who remained far away where the water
was blue in the strait, where the wind
swept across the hills that stretched
away to the southwest from the Grand
Frontenac, and he had little heart for
work. He was glad that she did not
know her hero was only dry goods
clerk.
At noon he went round to buy box
of paper which he had promised to get
for his sister. He leaned upon the show
case with his face turned away from it,
waiting for one of the busy girls to
attend to his wants. Presently some
one asked, "What is it, please?" and he
turned to look into the eyes of Miss
Arkwright. They stood speechless for
moment, each with burning cheeks.
At last he said:
"I'm at the table cloth counter. May
I call on your"
eyes," she answered, writing her adj
dress on a slip of paper and handing it to-
him. "Can you come this evening?"-
Chicago Record Herald.