Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-04-03
CcUNTINUED.1

The elder lady shook her head SOL
.mnly as she emerged from the enOr-
nous folds Of yellow silk cloak. "Ah.
princess" she said, touching the girls
shoulder with her jeweled hand, 81 told
you l was very foolish woman, and l
am, but not so foolish as to offer ad-
vice often. Yet, believe me, it won't
do. | think that Is one Of the greatest
young men I ever knew. and it's pity
but it won't do"
Miss Betty kept her face away from
her guardian for moment. No incon-
siderable amount of information had
drifted to her from here and there re-
garding the career Of Crailey Gray,
and she thought how intensely she
would have hated any person in the
world except Mrs. Tanberry for pre-
suming to think she needed to be warn
ed against the charms Of this serenad.
ing lady killer who was the property
of another girl.
You must keep him away, l think"
ventured Mrs. Tanberry gently.
At that Betty turned to her and said
sharply:
81 will. After this please let us new
er speak of him again"
A slow nod of the others turbaned
head indicated the gravest acquies-
cence. She saw that her companions
cheeks were still crimson. 81 under
stand" said she.
A buzz of whispering, like July bee
tie, followed Miss Carewe and her
partner about the room during the next
dance. How had Tom managed It?
Had her father never told her? Who
had dared to introduce them? FanchOn
was the only one who knew, and as
she whirlei by with Will Cummings
she raised her absent glance long
enough to give Tom an affectionate
and warning shake Of the head.
Tom did not see this. Miss Carewe
did. Alas. She smiled upon him in
stantly and looked deep into his eyes.
1t was the third time.
She was not afraid Of this man hirt.
He was to he settled with once and
forever. She intended to avenge both
Fanchon and herself. Yet it is haz-
ardous game, this piercing Of eye with
eye, because the point which seeks to
penetrate may soften and melt, leaving
one defenseless. For perhaps ten Sec
onds that straight look lasted, while 1t
seemed to her that she read clear into
the soul of him and to behold 1t through
some befooling magic as strong, ten
der, wise and true us his outward ap-
pearance would have made an innocent
stranger believe him, for he looked all
these things, she admitted that much,
and he had an air Of distinction anu
resource beyond any she had ever
known; even in the wild scramble for
her kitten he had not lost it. So for
ten seconds, which may be long time,
she saw Il man such as she had dream
ed, and she did not believe her sight,
because she had no desire to be as cred
ulous as the others, to be as easily
cheated as that poor Fanchon!
The luckless Tom found his own feet
beautiful OH the mountains and, tread
Ing the heights with airy steps, ap-
peared to himself wonderful and glori-
fied-he was waltzing with Miss Betty!
He breathed the entrancing words to
himself over and over. 1t was true he
was waltzing with Miss Betty Carewe!
Her glove lay warm and light within
his own. Ills fingers clasped that in
effable lilac and white brocade waist.
Sometimes her hair came within an
inch of his cheek, and then he rose out
right from the ll:lltops and tioated In
golden mist. The glamour of which the
incroyable had planned to tell her some
day surrounded Tom, and it seemed 10
him that the whole world was covered
with beautiful light like carpet.
which was but the radiance of this
adorable girl whom his gloves AMI
coat sleeve were permitted to touch.
When the music stopped they followed
In the train Of other couples seeking the
coolncss of out of doors for the inter,
val, and 'iom in his soul laughed at ali
other men with illimitable condescen-
sion.
"Slop here" she said as they reached
the open gate. He was walking out OF
it. his head in the air and Miss Bet
ty on his arm. Apparently he would
have walked straight across the state
1t was tie happiest moment lie had
ever known.
He wanted to say something wonder
full to her. His speech should be like
the music and glory and fire that were
in him. Therefore he was shocked to
hear himself remarking, with an IMAM
ity of utterance that sickened him:
"Oh, here's the gate. isn't it?"
Her answer was short laugh. You
mean you wish to persuade me that
YOU had forgotten it was there?'
81 did not see it." he protested lam
entably.
"No?'
81 wasn't thinking Of It."
Indeed! You were lost In thoughts
off,
"Of youw he said before he could
check himself.
"Yes:" Her tone was as quietly con-
temptuous as she could make it. How
very frank of you! May l ask are you
convinced that speeches Of that sort are
always to Il lady's liking?