Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-01-23

Y6xr[NNy the previous AFTERNOON naQ
ISSH9J FASTENED the end that the doc
tor had prophesied. There was no
narrowing death scene. The weather
beaten old face grew calmer and the
sleep sounder until the tide went out
that was all. 1t was like peaceful
coming into port after a rough voyage.
No one Of the watchers about the bed
could wish him back, not even Elsie,
who was calm and brave through it
ALL When it was over she went to her
room and Mrs. Snow went with her.
Captain Fri went out to make his call
upon Mr.. Saunders.
The funeral was one of the largest
ever held in Orham. The little house
was crowded. Old friends who had
drifted away from the fanatic in his
latter days came back to pay tribute
to the strong man whom they had
known and loved.
The procession Of carryalls and bug
gles followed the hearse to the cems-
terry among the pines, and as the
mourners stood about the grave the
winter wind sang through the ever
green branches song so like the roar
of the surf that it seemed like dlrge
Of the sea for the mariner who would
sail no more. AS they were clearing
away the supper dishes that night Cap
tain Fri said to Mrs. Snow: well,
Johns gone. l wonder if he's happier
now than lie has been for the last ten
years or So"
Il think he is," was the answer.
The following day Elsie went back
to her school. Captain Eri walked up
with her and on the way told her OF
his discovery of her secret and of his
interview with Web Saunders. 1t was
exactly as the captain had surmised.
The note she had received OH the even
Ing of the return from the life saving
station was from the proprietor OF the
billiard saloon, and in it he limited Mt
some dire calamity that Overshadowed
her grandfather and demanded an i'm
mediate interview. She had seen him
that night and under threat Of instant
exposure had promised to pay the sum
required for silence. She had not wish
ell to use her grandfather's money for
this purpose and 80 had taken the posi-
tion US teacher.
WELL" said the captain, Il wish
you'd have come to me right away and
told me the whole business. "Twould
have saved pile of trouble
The young lady stopped short and
faced him.
Captain Err" she said, show could
L? was sure grandfather had set the
fire. l knew how Ill he was, and l
knew that any shock might kill him.
Besides, how could drag you into 1t
when you had done so much already!
1t would have been dreadful. No, /
thought it all out and decided / must
face it alone"
well, / tell you this, Elsie, pretty
gin'rally u mean dog II bite II he sees
you're afraid of him. The only way to
handle that kind Is to run straight at
him and kick the meanness out of him.
The more he barks the harder you
ought to kick. II you run away once
it'll be mighty uncOmf' table every
time you go past that house. But new
er mind. ! carlate this p'ticlar pup
won't bite. I've pulled his teeth, ]
guess. What's your plans now? Coin
to keep on with the school or 60 back
to Boston,
Miss Preston didn't know. She said
she had not yet decided, and, as the
schoolhouse was reached by this time,
the captain said no more.
There was, however, another ques-
ton that troubled him and that seemed
to call for almost immediate settle
ment. 1t was, What should be done
with Mrs. Snow? The housekeeper had
been hired to act as such while John
Baxter was In the house. Now he was
gone and there remained the original
marriage agreement between Captain
Jerry and the widow. Honor called
for a decision one way or the other.
Mrs. Snow Of course said nothing
about 1t, neither did Captain Jerry, and
Captain Eri felt that he must take the
initiative, as usual. But somehow he
was not as prompt as was his wont
and sat evening after evening whit
tling ut the clipper and smoking
thoughtfully. And another week went
by.
Captain Perez might and probably
would have suggested action upon this
important matter had not his mind
been taken up with what to him was
the most important Of all. He had
made up his mind to ask. Patience
Davis to marry him.
Love Is like the measles; 1t goes hard
with man past fifty, and Captain
Perez was severely smitten. The de-
clsion Just mentioned was not exactly
q brand new one; bis mind had been
made up for some time, but he lacked
the courage to ask the momentous
question. Something the lady had said
during the first stages Of their ac-
qualntance made q great impression on
the captain. She gave 1t az her opin-