Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-08-15
The Maiden and
the Beau
Gallant
|R. RICHARD DORRANCE,
meditatively rolling a ciga-
rette, cast about him an ap-
proving glance.
By LOUIS j. VANCE
cs,y,irht. 1905. By S. S. MeClu,. Co.

HNy meditatively rolling a ciga
~1 rette, cast about him an ap
S.@S proving glance.
Perfect country" he drawled to no
body in particular, though Tom Darby
was at hand to hear. Orange sunshine
on the yellow sands, magenta shadows
ultramarine sea, luXuriant foliage t
beat all creation. This beats tossing
around on board yacht, anyway
think ri marry native and settle
Gown to dream out my days in peace"
He lit the cigarette and Topped over
on his back, flOurishing heavenward
his lengthy and Immediately white
duck clad legs. Tom Darby resented
the resultant display of vivid hosiery
and growled. Darby was in q resent.
ful mood. He had been most comfy
aboard Dorrance's private yacht, the
Beau Gallant, and saw no earthly rea-
son why he should have been dragged
therefrOm for miles row over the
| steaming shadows to the end that they
might merely loaf on the edge Of the
beach. Moreover, he was athirst.
There's not drink in sight" he
said GROSSLY, nor suggestion Of a
breeze. This is plainly the jumping of
place. And We'll be caught in the
deuce Of a thunderstorm If I'm not mis-
taken"
disappointed, You mean."
"Besides,' Darby went ON defiantly,
ignoring the correction, who'd have
you. I'd like to know"
That's immaterial. I'll find some
one" He raised his voice and chanted:
Young gentleman, rich and of distin-
guished appearance. desires wife. OBJ
ject, matrimony. No trifiers."
Darby grunted and resumed his dis
gusted contemplation of Dorrance's
socks. He was about to make an un-
pleasant remark when both became
aware Of the presence of third per-
son.
How she ever got there so quietly
Darby could never understand. but she
stood before them trim and neat and
most desirable in chic muslin frock
and a canary cOlOred hat of some sort,
with ribbons, perched saucily atop her
curly brown hair. Brown eyes she
had, too, and the very devil Of mis-
chief lurking in their depths, and rosy
lips with the shadow of mirth in their
corners. Darby believes that her nose
is tip tilted just the least bit, but he
will never dare assert it. At any rate,
she was entirely to be adored, with
the sun filtering down through the
leaves and dOtting her with little blurs
of light
Dorrance was OH his feet in an in
slant, and you may believe that Tom
Darby was not far behind him. The
two stood like idiots, gaping ut her as
II she had dropped from heaven. And
she might have that, but the dancing
eyes were against the theory.
She glanced from the one to the 9th
er, apparently enjoying the situation
immensely. She fairly laughed when
at last she said:
GOOu evening, Sehliehch'
Both stammered incOherent re-
sponses, and then the young lady calm
" pointed ut DOrrance with the tip
Of her dainty parasol.
"I'll marry you." said she. She might
have been asking him to tea.
But Dorrance was ever more ready
than Darby and lucky. 1t is but fair
to state that Tom was staggered, but
DOrrance!
II was convinced Of that when laid
eyes on you." he said, bowling.
"Just sO," she laughed.
And then Darby found his tongue.
Perhaps you've overlooked me-. he
said timidly. "Dorrance is all yer!
well, but | have my points" He stuck
out his chest, louting low and with
flourish.
"rhey're well covered" said Dor
rance nastily.
(Which you hereby respectfully sub
nit to my consideration" she asked.
Just so, but you're Il tritie late. Mr.
er-Dorrance. think you said? MIR.
DOrrance asked first
Darby protested. But he never
fmagined"-
"Oh, but did," Dorrance interrupt
ed unblushingly. 1--WE expected tins
right along"
"Of course he has" she added severe
ly. That was very ungullant Of you"
Darby collapsed: h had never learn
ed 10 accept defeat gracefully.
Just my luck" he mOaned. 81 new
er raised Il little doe and learned to
love its soft brown eye but what -
"Oh, dry up" said Dorrance ungra-
ciously enough. Besides, you have 1t
wrong"
Tom Darby sulked. The maiden
eyed Dorrancc somewhat approvinsly.
lie returned her gaze with admiring in-
icre,t. but she kept her countenance-
anly those eyes would dance divlnely.
Eeiti.cr spoke till she extended tiny
land with Il firm pink palm.
Come along" she said, "since we
are to be married"
Ever ut your service" And he took
the hand.
Squire of danes" Tom Darby snap
ped.
But you are disagreeable," she said
wOnderingly.
Don't mind him." Dorrance said
soothingly; 1--WE cannot justly blame
him."
They moved of, hand In hand. Dar-
by remained motionless In high dudg-
con. The affair was so distinctly pre-
posterous, and the girl was so dis
tinctly pretty. He heard Dorrance
laugh. and there was familiar elan to
his tone which warned Darby that bis
| friend was ripe for any absurd adven-
ture. Moreover, Darby cOnfesses to
;hs sin of curiosity. He relented SUI
ficiently to permit a glance over his
shoulder. They were quite distance
away, disappearing around bend IL
the beach. He ran after them shouting
They turned and waited.
"Mayn't come. tooY' he pleaded
humbly.
"If you'll be nice," she stipulated.
"And he can be best man." said Dor
rance tentatively.
"Come," cried Darby generously
"that's some consolation! But Dick, tht
Beau GallantT
Bother the Beau" said Dorranct
warmly. He looked out to sea. Tht