Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-03-22

minute clapped eyes on ye. Thinks
as | sits beyond in the cOrner-ye
! thought couldn't see ye because me
eyes were shuttle lad with the book
is only a bagman on his rounds He
stopDed and glanced up ut the rack and
below Tie scat. "But where's the bag?'
asked hc. suspicion again in his eyes.
IN tie van" said |.
"tv. to be- s,:,..a, to lie sure" Slowly
he sDokc, his head wagging up and
down. then fell 70 fumb!:ng in his pock,
cts and '::cu..ht out pine. Stretching
i.i.', III arms he yawn@d wcal'ily and
M. 1 Ii; eyes. "Iiegl:o, heigho"
Ii wus hcarren:ng to So" the man in
sof;cr mocd. ~ pulse took steadier
beat. O"a:' tiy book | watched Phil
proc ti,c pit E@I! With ii finger, rap
| 4 v..oii lis l:ia, :ld bring forth Il piece
Of tc.l,;j d,:d :! iane liCrn hafted clasl
EYirn -! I'D Il s.ligi" blade. Opening
| he knife. hc ribbed the h,lde-a mur-
lcrous. cleaning tling, with a sharp
po:ni-unra lis sleeve and began whit
tin. the tohacro into his palm. 1t was
then that for the first time | noticed
l-.ipcn his ri:ht shirt cuff II broad. dull
stain. Suddenly lie looked around. and.
following his gaZp. saw Ned crouched
in his corner. his hands spread and his
eyes fixed wide upon the knife. There
We're fear and horror in his eyes, blank
terror upon his face, and, seeing him,
Cara raised his voice. 'Ye eternal fool.
What's come over We now: Are ye'-
Cara stopped looked down ut the knife.
then seized his cap and flung it in Ncd's
face. ALI 90 to sleep wi We, for a
fool. Lie back an so to Sleep shout
cd he, and slowly Ned lay back.
Affairs We're marching now. | forgot
my book. forgot that the sun was shin
ing on the peaceful fields lying COLDER
beyond the hedges. With lcaping pulse
sat by the window, watching silently.
Cara went for his cap, pausing a
breath to whisper in Ned's ear: came
back and fell again to whiting his
scrap of tobacco. Leaning toward me.
he sat. elbows ont and hands-his lean.
ready handS-busy between his knees.
Suddenly he looked up and met my
eyes.
Still watchln':" he said, with II
grin.
Yes" answered l, striving to smile.
"Im-Im tired reading"
II know" He pressed the tobacco
into his pipe. then held out his hand,
with the knife lying open on his palm.
That's Il good knife" said he. | nod
ded. Feel the edge it has" he went
Oh and pushed the blade, edge upward
toward me. Reluctantly | tried the
blade with my thumb. 1t was keen as
razor. With a quick movement nc
put its point against my breast and
pressed slightly. Just two inches
home" said he, AN ye'd watch no
more"
| sat quite still, my breath held.
For two pins Id do it, said Cara.
pressing again. AN close yer eyes for.
ever. How do know what we are?'
There was sound of shuiliing feet in
the farther corner, and from his place
Ned Brady came quickly, his hands out
and that look of horror once more on
his face. No. no, Phil.' he shouted.
in terror of pleading. MY goodness.
mop
And with that, even as Cara rose
swiftly. the engine whistled, the brakes
shrieked. and. crouching upon the seat,
Cara waved Ned back. Down wi
ye." he shouted. Down, ye fool,
down.
During the minute that we stayed 1t
Lack station the two huddled close in
their corners, their faces turned from
the platform, eyes fixed in furtive
stare of apprehension, ears quick on
the tread of the stalking policeman,
but once started again and slowly Gid
ing past hill and helgerow they sat
upright and looked at each other. 1t
was significant look. narrow and
tense springing OH that side from the
gloom of tears, on this the black tan
giles of guilt. and from it Cara broke
suddenly with mockins laughter.
Bah. I'm sick with meself for
DANCED fool. What about them? Who
cares about them?" Fiercely he held
converse rs with himself. his back bent.
eyes on his boots, fingers met and
twitching. "Bah. One d think we
were'-
He stopped. pondered moment. slow
ly and deliberately raised his eyes. 81
wonder what yer thinkin' Of us now"
he said. still with that air Of asking
question not so much Of me as of him
self. I'D give somrthin this mortal
minute to know what's behind yer face
Tell me what is it yer thinkin'."
I hardly cared to answer boldly.
"Well, to tell the truth, I'm not so much
thinking as wondering"
81 know. An what are ye wonder
In'Y
I meant to spaak carefully, but the
words leaped out. what you're afraid
Of" said |.
While you might count fifty Cara sat
eying me in silence. Afraid of? he
said at last "Then ye think we've
done somethin'?"
81 do. How can l help it?'
81 know. l see. Welr'-Gara paused
-"an' what dye think were afraid
off,
II don't know" said l.
"Ye don't" Not. for an instant did
his eyes relax. But ye'd like to know,
mebbe!"
Like? waved hand. maybe
I'm lust as well not to know"
"Aye for all that ye'd be happier II
We did?'
'I'd be WISER" answered l.
"Wiser?" Cara laughed in his know
Ing way. "Aw, troth might ye, an
even then ye'd be no Solomon. for sure
"a q pun yer bit of fool. Man, yer