Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-12-04

M maines in the weeks that fol-
~d lowed grew by imperceptible
0S4SS degrees into an intimacy
which was one Of the most pleasant Of
my life. or Cecily l have already at.
tempted to give some idea, although /
realize how cold and inadequate it Is.
As l began to know her better I came
to wonder more and more at her
complexity, her simplicity, her swift
change Of mood, her utter ignorance
Of social convention. Another thing l
saw, and that was her absolute wor-
ship of Tremaine.
AS for Tremaine, hesitate to say
how utterly I fell under his spell. Yet
this was not in the least to be wonder
ed ut. My life had been on the whole
so narrow and his had been so broad;
my experience Of the world had been
cast in the usual grooves, while his
had SO evidently Overleaped them, had
struck out path for itself into all
sorts of unexpected places.
have said that his life had been cast
In many curious places. Martinique
was only the last Of these. the most re-
cent, and gathered that the business
which. brought him to New York was
the forming Of syndicate to build
railroad through the island. Through
is the right word. for it was evident
that, owing to the islands peculiar
formation, there would have to be
much tunneling. But he waved all such
practical difficulties aside and discours-
ed Of the great future before such
road with al enthusiasm that was alb.
solutely convincing.
had just come in from dinner one
evening and was settling down to re-
perusal of ,"L'Affaire Lerouge," when
there came knock at the door and
Tremaine entered. He was in evening
dress and was seemingly much per-
turbed.
"Ay dear Lester" he began abruptly,
In that quick. nervous way OF his. I'm
In the deuce Of u box. and I'm going to
ask you to help me out. | promised
Cecily to take her tonight to see the
extravaganza ut the New York, and
have the seats here, but ut the last
moment find can't get away. I've
business engagement that can't afford
to break, but Cecily will never forgive
ME II l Gisappo!nt her. Have you any
thing OH for touight?"
NO" I answered, looking ut him in
some establishment, for 1t was evident
what was coming.
"Then perhaps you wouldn't mind
taking Ceciiy! 1t would be trench
dous favor"
mot at ALL" assured him, "but'-
ut isn't quite convenable?" he fin
Ishcd as hestated. Surely we don't
need to stand OH ceremony. and Cecily
doesn't care hang for convention. It's
a great favor to both Of us. She'll cry
her eyes out If she has to stay at home.
and l simply can't take her"
Every WELL" said. "Ill be glad to
take her." and thanking me again he
hurried awav.
She was dressed and waiting for me
when knocked at her door, and she
caught lie by both hands as I Ell
tered.
This is good Of you" she cried.
"Doudoux has been so busy for many
days that we have gone nowhere, but
he promised me tonight. Oh, should
not have stayed ut home! l should
have gone alone! I care not for the
eyes Of the men"
"Oh, shan't let you go alOne!
protested. and watched her, fascinated.
as she put on a little bonnet and gave
her hair two or three final pats before
the mirror.
She was in the highest spirits, sing
ing to herself-really, l told myself,
only a child-and at last she swung
around and dropped me courtesy.
"How Is that, chez" she cried, smil-
ing up at me. "Does that please you"
"Charmingw cried, gasping little,
with q feeling of giddiness, as l looked
down into her eyes.
Our cab swung around into Broad
way, ablnze with light, and Cecily for
got me in the excitement OF watching
the changing crowd, the brilliant shop
fronts.
"Here we are" I said as the cab
drew up at the curb. and sprang out
and helped her down.
We went up to the promenade after
the first act and ate an ice together.
The place was crowded, and Cecily soon
became the ceater Of attraction. Men
strolled past merely to look Mt her, ana
from more than one woman l caught
fash of eye that said unutterable
things. The advent Of a new, incom'
parable siren could not pass unchal-
lenged. At them all Cecily glanced
from time to time with admirable non
chaIance. One would have sworn she
had been reared In New York. She
chatted gayly. eating her Ice. slpping
her wine, looking at NE with eyes that
glowed like stars. Then suddenly as
she looked up her face changed.
glanced up, too, and caught Jim God
frey's astonished eyes fixed on mine.
He bowed and passed on.
"Who Is that gentleman" demanded
CecIly eagerly, leaning across the ta-
BILE toward me. "You know himT
"Oh. quite WELL" answered, more
and more surprised. His name Is
Godfrey"
godfrey" she repeated slowly after
me. as though fixing 1t indelibly In her
memory. ".lnd what Is his buslness!
"He's reporter by trade; he gathers
news for paper" added. seeing that
she did not wholly understand.
"Oh." she said, and breatLed deep