Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-08-08

inilamed by the unknown tongue.
The autocrat's fingers slipped from
the tambourine. The dancer made a
quaint, quick courtesy, but she did not
escape. Instead John Blair rose to her
side. She made a rapid way along the
porch toward the next group of idlers.
The autocrat was close.
LET me take the tambourine," said
he putting out his hand. II can get
more than YOU"
She turned almost frightened. "Oh,
no, signor," she protested, with a timid
Quiver. He laid finger OH the instru-
ment. They were just out of earshot
between two watching groups.
Tell me, will you not, who you
are" said John Blair, speaking al
most over her shoulder as she paused
al The foot of Il flight Of steps. 81 know
you are masking. saw you in Colo
RADIO last summer with the bear. ] will
swear my life on it. Didn't ~
Wont you please leave me, signorT'
How can l till I know more! That
man with you Is gentleman. 1t Is a
mask. Why did you mask there at
Switchback-and now here?'
Every one is looking"
"But do not care, signOra."
81 do"
you send me away without a
word"
81 must CO."
"Then | must follow"
do not persecute."
do not torture. Say you will come
back"
Two hundred eyes were focused on
them.
what can John mean?" faltered his
sister. And the Yale man laughed. But
John clung like turtle to his inaudible
conversation.
HE acts as II he meant business"
suggested Mr.. Howard Tiff mildly. Il
reckon he's dropped in too much mon
ey, and he's kicking for change, but
she's not giving up"
When the big engineer finally rejoin'
ell his group the Italians were scurry-
ing down the road, and uuttie was
ready TO be carried upstairs.
"Its nothing" explained John lazily.
"We had lynching at Switchback
three years ago-bad affair; three ltal-
ians. was sure that girl was one of
the two who escaped She insists not
Is it too near dinner time for an apol.
linaris or lemonnde!"
at will take something more than
lemonade 10 square this, j. b. declar'
ed Howard Tiff. with dignity, where
upon John offered to pay whatever pen
atty might be inflicted.
1t was tile regular night Of the LAW
ford dance, and the Lynn crowd from
Stelle's had come over in force. The
autocrat, IL anything. sleeper than
usual, trailed with the Buffalo con
tingcnt.
aren't they Just too swcll?' ex
claimed Hattie eXcitedly. "Oh, why
don't they make shoes In Buffalo
John? See that baldheaded man. Is
It his picture we see OH the billboards
John? I'm going to meet some of those
people or die. Howard Tiff knows that
stunning fellow with the mustache
john There she comes" 1t was the
Lynn girl with the queens sweep and
| the basket hat.
"Green dress and black hat - ant
green shoes. Did you ever? Well. II
Is swell. isn't it? Why don't you wake
up?" ratified Hattie. "Oh. there come
Howard-by by"
1t was not until long after the dane
ing had begun that Hattie came bacl
under the shadow Of the Lynn mus
tache. But OH the other arm leaned Al
especial prize-she whose costumes hat
so long been Hattie's despair, she o.
the black hat.
"Oh, John! Come down, brother!
want to present you" The autOcrat
staggering bit within, stepped on
OH the dancing floor.
"My unknown friend, Miss Rucker
John. My brother, Miss Rucker." Mis-
Rucker hardly bowed under her priz'
hat. 1t was more Of nod, which JUS
frightened the black plumes and Sc
them shivering.
"John," added Hattie after mor'
presenting, II have dragged Mis-
Rucker all the way from Lynn for al
Ice with u.s.
II could not escape her"
"My sister Is never satisfied with les
than the reddest apple" bowed tn
autOcrat.
"The greenest apple this time, dear,
retorted Hattie, eying the Lynn gown.
"You confuse the leaves with tn
fruit" persisted the autOcrat, not look
ing at Miss Rucker.
"Your brother Is not dancing to
night" remarked Miss Rucker. looking
ut Sister Hattie. 81 am sure" sh
added. with the easy Indifference 0
society, because have noticed hin
sitting SO long in this corner. And
thought" she continued, with llttl
pause perfectly mastered, "that he az
reared absorbed. Are we to be seated
Oh, thank you, Mr.. Blair. No; you 81
there. Miss Blair. Leave me the shad
ow."
"Why%
"There's still q number on my care
and I've no mind for It."
"John," interposed Hattie, don't fol
get your table manners. Get your n
freshment started this way. You kn0'
how slow they are. We may have
make It u breakfast order"
th. n.s.h thor,