Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-01-30

"Why snoula be glad, prayT she
asked.
"Why, I don't know. Jest took It
for granted you would be. You didn't
want him to come and see you, and II
he was gone he couldn't come, so"-
"Just a minute, please. What makes
you think I didn't want Mr.. Hazeltine
to callT
And now 1t was the captains turn
to stare and hesitate.
"What makes me think he gasped.
"Why-you told me 30 yourself"
"Elsie Preston" he calculated, "are
you losin' your mem'ry or what?
Didn't you pitch into me hotfoot for let
tin him be alone with you? Didn't
you give me 'hark from the tomb for
gittln' up and goin' away? Didn't you
say his calls was perfect torture to you.
and that you had to be decent to him
Jest out of common politeness? Now.
didn't you?"
mo. l didn't You misunderstood
me. l did object to your leaving the
room every time he called and making
me appear so ridiculous, and l did sa.i
that his visits might be torture for
all that you knew to the contrary. but
l certainly didn't say that they Were"
"Sufferin'! And you amt glad lie
stopped comin'?"
The air Of complete Indifference as
sumed by the young lady was a trl-
umph.
'Why, of course" she said, "Mr.
Hazeltine Is q free agent, and I don't
know of any reason why he should be
compelled to 60 where he doesn't wish
to CO."
Captain Jerry was completely crush
ed. My! My! Myw he murmured.
"And after my beggn' his pardon aud
allw
Begging his pardon? For what"
"Why, for leavin' you two alone. OF
course. after you pitched into Inc SO
l see how foolish I'd been actin, and
honest, I didn't sleep scursely bit
that night thinkin' bout it. Thinks I,
If Elsie feels that way, why. there
amt no doubt that Mr.. Hazeltine feels
the same There want but one thing
to be done. When man makes mis-
take, If he is any kind Of a man, he
owns up and does his best to straight
en- things out 'Twa'n't easy to do, but
duty's duty, and the next time see
Mr.. Hazeltine I told him the whole
thing, and"-
"You did"
"Sartin did"
"What did you tell him"
They had stopped on the sidewalk
nearly opposite the postoffice. Each
was too much engrOssed in the CONVEX
sation to pay any heed to anything
else. II the few passersby thought it
strange that the schoolmistress should
care to loiter out of doors on that cold
and disagreeable morning they said
nothing about 1t. One young man In
particular, who, standing just inside
the postoffice door, was buttoning his
overcoat and putting on his gloves,
looked earnestly at the pair, but he,
too, said nothing.
"Why, told him." said Captain Jer-
ry, in reply to the question, how you
didn't like to have me 90 out OF the
room when he was there. Course.
told him ! didn't mean to do nOthin'
out of the way. Then he asked me
some more questions, and l answered
'em best l could, and-well. l guess
that's bout ALL"
Captain jeremiah Burgess" ex-
claimed Elsie. Then she added. what |
must he think Of meT
"Oh, I'll fix that" exclaimed the cap
tain. "Tll see him some time today.
and I'll tell him you didn't mean II.
Why, I declare! Yes, it's. There he
is now! Hi! Mr.. Hazeltine! Come
here a minute"
A mischievous imp was certainly
directing Captain Jerry's movements.
Ralph had, almost for the first time
since he came to Orham. paid an early
morning visit to the office In order to
send all important letter in the first
mail. The slamming Of the door had
attracted the captains attention and.
in response to the hail. Mr.. Hazeltine
crossed the road.
And then Captain Jerry felt his arm
clutched with grip that meant busi-
ness, as Miss Preston whispered,
Don't you dare say one word to him
about it. Don't you dare!'
If Ralph had been surprised by the
request to join the couple, he was
more surprised by the reception he re-
ceived. EIsies face was crimson, and
as for the captain, he looked like
man who had suddenly been left stand
ing alone IN the middle Of pond COW
cred with very thin ice.
"Dil you want to speak with me,
captain" asked Ralph.