Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-05-01

| kkSJ eacn accuSlOmeu tnluS ue uiu
| wa tone for the last time. Many Of
hi, comrades went about with Fare
well. old friend" in their hearts, not
only for the people. but for the usual
things of life and the actions Of habit,
now become unexpectedly dear and
sweet to know or to perform. So Tom
| Vanrevel, relieved of his hot uniform,
loose as to collar, wearing big dress
ing gown and stretched in chair,
watched the sunset from the western
window Of the dusty Office, where he
had dreamed through many sunsets In
summers past, and now took his leave
Of this old habit Of his In silence, with
long cigar, considering the chances
largely against his ever seeing the sun
so down behind the long wooden bridge
at the foot of Main street again.
The ruins Of the warehouses had been
removed, and the river was laid clear
to his sight. 1t ran between brown
banks like river Of rubies, and at
the wharf the small evening steam
boat, ugly and grim enough to behold
from near by, lay pink and lovely in
that broad glow. footing imminent de-
parture, although an hour might elapse
before it would back into the current.
The sun widened, clung briefly to
the horizon and dropped behind the
lo~ hills beyond the bottom lands; the
stream grew purple, then took on
luster of pearl as the stars came out,
while rosy distances changed to misty
blue; the chatter of the birds in the
Main street NAPLES became quieter
and, through lessening little chOruses
of twittering. fell gradually to silence.
And now the blue dusk crept on the
town. and the corner drug store Win
dow lights threw mottled colors on
the pavement. From the hall, outside
the closed Office door, came the sound
of quick. light footsteps. 1t was Graf.
ley going out, but Tom only sighed to
himself and did not hail him. So these
light footsteps of Crailey Gray echoed
but moment in the stairway and
were heard no more.
A few moments later q tall figure,
wrapped from neck to heels IN gray
cloak, rapidly crossed the mottled
lights and disappeared into Carewe
street. This cloaked person wore on his
head soldiers cap. and Tom, not rec
ognizing him surely, vaguely wondered
why Tappingham Marsh chose to muf-
he himself so warmly on a June even
ing. He noted the quick, alert tread as
unlike Marsh's usual gait, but no sus-
picion crossed his mind that the figure
might be that Of his partner.
A rocket went up from the Rouen
House, then another, followed by
salvo of anvils and rackety discharge
of small arms, the beginning OF a
noble display of fireworks in celebra-
ton of the prospective victories of the
United States and the utter diScom-
future of the MeXicans when the ROuen
volunteers should reach the seat OF
war. an exhibition Of patriotism which
brought little pleasure to Mr.. Nanrevel.
But over the noise Of the street he
heard his own name shouted from the
stairway, and almost instantly vio-
lent knocking assailed the door. Be
fore he could bid the visitor enter, the
door was flung open by stout and eX-
cited colored woman who, at sight OF
him, threw up her hands in tremulous
Thanksgiving. 1t was the vain Mamie.
She sank into chair and rocked
herself to and fro, gasping TO regain
her lost breath. "Bless de good God
'lmighty, you ain gone out" she pant
ed. II run an run. an come so fas'
| got stitches in de side FUN head to
heelr'
Tom brought her glass Of water.
which she drank between gasps.
81 nevah run so Defo' enduin' my
livin' days" she asserted. You knows
me, who am an whum l cum FUN,
| highs wells knows who you Is.
reckon. Maize Vanrevel?'
"Yes. yes, know. Will you tell me
who sent you?'
"Miz Tanberry, sub. dat who. sended
me. an in IL venomous hurry she done
de same"
Yes. Why? Does she want me"
Mamie emitted a screech. deed she
mos everlas'in'ly does not! Dat de
ve'y cxackindes' livin' ting she does
| not want!'
''Then what is it, Mamie?"
"Lemme git my bref, sub, an you
hole yo'ne whiles l tell you! She say
to me, she say, is you 'quainted Maze
yanrevel. Mamie? s. she, an I up'n'
ansuh, Not to speak wild, but dey ain
none Oh 'em l dom knows by sight. an
none bettcrcr dan him. say. Den
she say. she say, You run all de way
an fin dat young man. she say. s. she,
AN If you don git dah TO he leave, er
dom stop him OH de way, den God
lmighty fergive your she say. But
you tell him FUN Jane Tanberry not to
i come nigh dis house or dis gyahden dis
night! Tell him dat Jane Tanberry
warn him he mus keep outer Carewe's
way ontel he safe on de boat tomorrer.
Tell him Jane Tanberry beg him to
stay In he own room dis night, an dat
she beg 1t on her bented knees! An
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