Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-08-08
suggested her brother. "The tables arc


less crowded"
"Cooler, isn't it?" remarked Miss
Rucker as the night air struck her
shoulders. IL shall need wrap" And
after all the gentlemen had offered to
20 for 1t Miss Rucker decided that she
herself must CO. and, the orders being
given, John Blair went with her. She
started through the dance room.
"Not that way" he begged.
(which way?" she asked, with 81
lent laugh.
"ROund."
She turned OH an impulse. "rhen l
must take your arm" she said, almost
in a bubble Of mischief. As they went
OH his silence, growing like Il portent'
seemed to alarm her, and she said pret-
ty little no.hings to ward it of. The
autocrat responded not. At the CLOAK
room he took her wrap from the at
tendant and held 1t silently over her
shoulders. She smiled as the web set
tied across them. THANK you
1T is | who have you to thank.
am trying-to think-hOw to do it,
pray, for what do you thank me"
she asked.
"For coming tonight"
She stood, pausing in the glare of an
arc light. He was looking with his dus-
ty lashes hardly raised.
81 don't understand" she responded,
In the gentle infection which only sug-
gests a question.
81 am not sure that do," he contin-
ued evenly. but The heavy eyes were
burning. Its this" He took from his
pocket the gray kerchief Of Switch
back. "Unless I am very wrong. this
is yours"
What is it?' she stammered, pant
Ing a little In spite of herself as she put
out her hand.
"You have forgotten?
She gazed at the clinging thing,
speaking evasively, "YOu are so mys-
terious,"
y have staked a good DEAL he per
SISteN, Ou DeihS liSut'
She passed it over her hands. 1T Is
spotted" she unused, but could not for
her life raise her eyes.
THAT Is my fault. II 1t isn't too late.
may be pardened for using it on my
arm?"
And she felt then something com.
pelling, and she looked openly, fairly,
honestly at him.
"If it is not too late" replied Mis.
Rucker rapidly and steadily, may |
thank you for rescuing me from very
dangerous escapade:"
Not unless | may thank you for get
ting into 1t. And it was really you
he said. as IL, with the doubt gone, he
could do no more than believe the real
ity.
"Since YOU have unmasked me, yes.
And | have something for you, Mr..
Blar-o!I, may keep this:' she asked,
holding the kerchief and looking at
him.
ut Is yours"
NO; yours. But If you give 1t back
to ne I will keep it."
She tucked it hastily in her bosom
and produced from somewhere-ho
man could say just where-the I'll Iole-
dorc nugget the autocrat had dropped
into her tdmbourine.
we do these crazy things in our sci
for charity" laughed Miss Rucker low
t.. But holding the nugget be-
tween her thumb and iinger-'this
could not turn in to my padrone. !
k,ut IL for my own self. Still, II Is
yours"
40" he protested. ""rwas fairly
earned"
You frightened me So yesterday
vow ed | would never mask again
81 hone you never will-to me.
"I.ct US 20 back" she urged nervous
". They will think we're lost.
IL am lost"
"Oh, pray
at i.n't all quite for nothing. Is 1t!
Why did You come tonight
"It was ,:ngcncrous of You to make
me promise. bit how could di regard
nv word after Switchback! We must
return
Tell me all your name.
"Juliet Rucker. Shall we go!
MAY come to see you ,ohorro"
w shall be home all morning, MI
Blair" she ripplcd. with half laugh.
IF Won will bring your sister l VIII
present my cousin, RoLcrt Gales. lie
IL the musician Of our com llnation. Du'
since Won hurried ,s out OF s;w.tchbhck
in the baggage car l call lim loAy-do
YOU remember"
81 can't remember thing
IF you do not take me back l snail
run: indeed, | shall.
Don't 10 Il: they'd possibly notice
me running after you. And-before we
go-may trouble you for one more
thing"
"Pray. what"
"My breath"
"Your breath"
"You took it night before last In the
ballroom She darted away. but ne
kept UP.
"I was heartbroken over the poor
bear losing its life" she murmured'
nearing their party, "and all through
our silly performance. Bob shouldn't
have tried to take 1t up t. the Peaks"
I'm painfully glad he did"
did it, hesitated Juliet Rucker
softly. shading into tone that was all
new-"did II hurt you very much:'
THAT was nothing" answered the
autocrat: then. stealing her pause, nc
added In her own distinctive way. but
this-is everything"
a Bishops Pun.
Henry Ni!cs Pierce, Episcopal BISHOP
| Of ArkuHsas was rs invcterate and