Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-08-07


ings down n dismal alley in a house
which, had 1t been built Of wood In
stead of stone. would have been oblit-
Grated decades before. 4 pinched New
England female face answered the
knock at the door to which the slattern
In charge had directed them.
"What do you wantY said she, In
what is sometimes called the "pie and
pickles" voice.
"Where Is Mr.. Carpenter"
"That's what I'd like to know" Mrs.
Carpenter answered.
A few minutes talk made 1t clear
that no news was to be got there.
We'll have to look for him." said Day
ton, as IL they were sure to find him.
And OH the way back to the Plccadilly-
Strand district he tried to persuade
Lord Frampton to go quietly to his
club and wait.
"No," said Lord Frampton GROSSLY: u
70 with you. Really, Mr.. Dayton, this
il a most extraordinary proceeding.
When peace and quiet are absolutely
necessary to me, find myself rushing
about London in search Of wild
drunken creature. My whole life has
been spent In quiet, and now. at ninety,
thanks to my accursed folly in answer
ing a note from wandering American
Journalist must have been out Of
my mind! I feel like pinching myself
to see whether l am awake. l shall
not leave you until we find him. must
look to my reputation. Why did I-why
did I answer that devilish nOteT
Toward o at night Dayton. in the ef-
fort to calm one Of the old mans IT,
rades-he was very tired and sleepy
told him that Elsie and he were to be
married on Monday. "As her mother
won't consent. we shall 60 quietly to
the American consulate. I've arranged
It all with friend Of mine"
"Most extraordinary" muttered Lord
Frampton. More impudence! And
what am l doing here-at my age-in
my health
"Will you Gomez" interrupted Day.
ton.
Come! Come where?'
"To the wedding. We'd be delight.
ed"
Lord Frampton stared. "God bless
my soulw he calculated. "Am l
dreaming? Invited to take part In a
runaway marriage-I"
II suppose you're afraid there might
be mistake and you'd be the bride
groom"
Lord Frampton smiled, then chuc-
kled, then laughed. But they were just
at Carpenters lodgings-their fourth
visit. Yes, Carpenter had returned,
had staggered In about an hour before.
and was now upstairs. His wife open
ed the door. There he lay upon the
bed, his clothes torn and mud be-
daubed.
"Roll i'm on the Hoor," suggested
the eldest boy. LET me throw water
on i'm. Marin always does. don't you,
marin"
All, including the renowned philoso'
pher, who used his cane vigorously US
a prod. Joined In the effort to revive
the drunken man. When he ut last
opened his eyes Dayton said, Here
here, Carpenter, where's that inter
yiew? and kept on shaking him to
prevent his lapsing into the stupor.
10 ,~,,,,~tlAH rornnnfnr "IGe
q gran Op man. or Frampy passed :,
out hot. Gran OIL man, Frampy."
Dayton reached into the inside pocket
of the coat and drew out notebook.
"Haw or Frampy clutched 1t. put
on his eyeglasses and glanced ovei
the pages. Yes, this Is It. l never
expected to see 1t. Bless me, what
reliefw
Dayton gave Mrs. Carpenter a sov
ereIgn, ION account" he said. for lacl
of any other disguise Of the charity
"and when he comes around tell hin
/ want to see him."
Dayton and Lord Frampton hurried
away.
"Where shall set you down, sirT
said Dayton.
Lord Frampton gave the number of
| private hotel In Dover street. They
| drove in silence for ten minutes, ther
the philosopher chuckled. Daytor
| glanced at him furtively. He had beer
devising a plan for approaching th'
subject Of the interview. Perhaps ht
could induce Lord Frampton to giv'
up the notebook. When the old maj
chuckled again he ventured to speak.
Evil you forgive me, slrT
"Forgive you, you young rascal?
oughtn't, butt is certainly very ridic
ulous-how my friends, my readers al
over the world, would laugh II the!
could know what I've been doing" HI
chuckled again.
"Then you'll come to the American
consulate on Monday at l0-to the wed
dingT
"The spirit Of adventure has got int
my blood. Yes. I'll bs thege-G I don
die Of the reaction" >.