Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-12-19
CONTINUED

[cUNTINuED.]
Ralph Hazeltine called on the after
noon following Elsie's arrival, and Cap
tain Fri insisted on his staying to tea.
1t might lave been noticed that the
electrician seemed trife embarrassed
when Mis-, Preston ca.... ...., lie room,
but as ti. young lacy was not embar-
rassed in the least and had apparently
forgotten the mistaken identity incl
dent his nervousness soon wore of.
But it came back again when Cap
tain Fri said:
"Oh, l say, Mr.. Hazeltine, forgot to
ask you did 'Gusty come yesterday"
Ralph answered rather hurriedly that
she did not. He endeavOred to change
the subject. but the captain wouldn't
let him.
We'll. there" he exclaimed amazed.
~, If 'Gusty amt broke her record!
Fust time sence Perez was took with
the Naval Commander disease that she
amt been OH hand when the month
was up to git her 81. Got SO We sort OF
reckoned by her like an almanac. Kind
of thought she was sure. like death and
taxes. And now she has gone back on
us. Blessed IL ! amt disappointed In
'Gusty."
Who Is she?" inquired Mrs. Snow.
'One Of those book agent crittersT
well, IL you called her that to her
face ] expect .here'd be squalls. but l
caIlate she couldn't prove a alibi In
court
Now. II may have been Mr.. Hazel
tines fancy, but he could have sworn
that there was just the suspicion OF
twinkle in Miss Preston's eye as she
asked innocently enough:
lis she young lady. Captain Err
Well. she hopes she is was the de-
liberate answer. "WhyT
Does she look like meT
Like your oh. my soul and body!
Wait till you see her. What made you
ask thatr'
"Oh. nothing. I was a little curious,
that's all. Have you seen her. Mr.. Ha-
zeltine:"
Ralph stammered somewhat confus-
edly that he hadn't had the pleasure.
The captain glanced from the electri-
clan to Miss Preston and back again.
Then he suddenly realized the situa-
ton.
"Ho. ho!" he roared, slapping his
knee and rocking back and forth In his
chair. Don't for the lands sake tell
me you took Elsie here for 'Gusty
Black! Don't now! Dont!"
"He asked me If l had taken many
ORDERS" remarked the young lady de-
murely.
When the general hilarity had abated
a little Ralph penitently explained that
1t was dark, that Captain Fri had said
Miss Black was young and that she
carried bag.
$50 / did, so 1 did," chuckled the
captain. II s'pose twas nat'ral enough,
but, oh, dear, it's awful funny! Now,
Elsie, you'd ought to feel flattered.
Wait till you see 'Gusty's hat, the one
she got up to Boston"
"Am forgiven, Miss Preston" ask
ed Hazeltine as he said good night.
"Well, don't know" was the rather
noncommittal answer. 81 think shall
have to wait until see 'Gusty."
But Mr.. Hazeltine apparently took
his forgiveness for granted, for his
calls became more and more frequent,
until his dropping in after supper came
TO be q regular occurrence. Young
people of the better class are scarce
in Orham during the fall and winter
months, and Ralph found few con-
genial companions. He liked the cap
tains and Mrs. Snow, and Elsies So
ciety was a relief after day with the
operators ut the station. Mr.. Langley
was entirely absorbed in his business
and spent his evenings in his room
reading and smoking.
So September and October passed
and November came. School opened
in october, and the captains had an-
other boarder, for Josiah Bartlett,
against his wishes, gave up his posi-
tion as stage driver and was sent to
school again. As the boy was no longer
employed ut the livery stable, Captain
Perez felt the necessity Of having him
under his eye, and so Josiah lived at
the house by the shore, cot being set
up in the parlor for his use. His COM
ing made more work for Mrs. Snow,
but that energetic lady did not seem
TO mind and even succeeded III getting
the youngster to do few chores about
the place, IN achievement that won
the everlasting admiration Of Captain
Perez. who had no governing power
whatever over the boy and cOndoned
the most of his faults or scOlded MIN
feebly for the others.
John Baxter continued to waver be-
tween this world and the next. he had
intervals OF consciousness, in which ne
recognized the captains and Elsie, Dut
these rational moments We're few, and'
although he talked little, he never
mentioned recent events nor alluded to
| the fire.
The fire itself became an old story,
and gossip took up other subjects. The
"Come Cutters" held jubilee service
because Of the destruction of the sa'
loon, but, as Web soon began to re-
build and repair, their jollifcation was
short lived. AS for Mr.. Saunders, ne
was the same unctuous, smiling per-
sonage that he had formerly been. 1t
was curious fact and one that Cap
tain Fri noted that he never ceased TO
INQUIRE after John Baxter's health and
seemed honestly glad to hear Of the old
mans improvement. He asked good
many questions about Elsie, too, Dut
received little satisfaction from the
captain on this subject.
CHAPTER X.