Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-12-31

Peter!
"N1y graciousw exclaimed Daisy's as
tonished voice. She sprang to Georgi
ana's side as Peter sat up.
"I was a-sleepin'-still," he said blink
ing and yawning.
did you hear what we were say
ing?' demanded Daisy. "And why are
you out here, Peter? Why aren't you
working with Mr.. Morningstar and
Abe?"
81 got it so bad in my head, ! ast
the boss to leave me have off this after
l had the headache, now, something
wonderful But" he added, rising, 81
slep' it Off I'm some better"
He noticed that Georgiana's eyes
were upon the book he held
Pm goin' home now," he announced
taking a step away and checking him
self in the act of lifting his hand tc
his old straw farm hat.
"It is getting a little late, we will
20, too," said GeOrgiana, and Daisy
followed her as she moved around the
logs to the path where Peter stood.
Il got to hurry" said Peter, edglne
Off "Yous couldn't walk so fast"
at won't be good for your headache
to hurry, Peter" admonished Daisy
keeping at his side "What is the book
you have?"
Peter gave himself up to the inevi
table and walked with them down the
hill
"This here?" he said, holding up
volume labeled "Vedanta Philosophy
Raja Yoga-and Other Lectures by
Swami yivc6ananda."
"Good gracious" exclaimed Daisy
"wouidn't that rattle your slats?' What
Is it,
"I'u never tell yous. Want to rea1
ltf"
Il don't wonder you want to get rid
Of il. But don't offer it to me! Gra'
cious, what do you take me for, Peter'
Miss Ellery might like it."
"Where did you get it, Peter?
Georgiana asked, looking astonished.
"Och," he answered disparagingly
81 borrowed the loan Of it of OF
teacher, but there's too many big words
in it." ~
He found that his disguise was CIV
Ing him an assurance which he had
never before felt in the presence of q
girl. To be walking and talking with
two young ladies without his custom
ary sense Of constraint was indeed
novel eXperience-and withal a high!
agreeable one.
"Teacher?" questioned Georgiana
.'The district school teacher? But i
Is vacation now."
"She boarded at our place and. lei
'em there over the summer" said Pe
ter, developing talent for tictior
which, if properly utilized, he fell
might make his fame.
"How much of it have you read?
asked Georgiana, looking at hin
kindly.
"Och, went to sleep the first couple
pages Already"
THAT may be because OF your head
ache" she said encouragingly. Sh'
longed to discover diamond in thu
rough in Peter.
81 will lend you this" said Dais!
patronizingly, holding up the book sn'
carried. "My uncle thought 1t woult
be good mental discipline for me u
read it, but-well, haven't finished II
but no matter. Keep 1t as long as yo'
like, Peter, | won't be selfish
Peter received the book and read tn
title laboriously, like small boy spell
ing out his words, Some Facts Abou
the Great Back -Boned Family" "Wha
fur family's that?" he asked.
Don't ask me. Read 1t yourself"
He handed it back to her. "Gimm
an interestin' story and I'll read it.
Peter" Daisy gravely admonishe'
him. "have you no ambition to i'm
prove your mind?" -.
"I know enough to get along. What
the use of botherin' your mind Wit
more'n that?"
Daisy sighed with undisguised sym
pathy.
81 can understand. Peter" said Geor
| giana thoughtfully. 'your preferenc
for fiction rather than for statistical
scientific work like that. No douD
YOU feel without fully comprehendin
II the more inward significance OF ran
cies that embody spiritual truths thal
4 of isolated hard facts about the bac
Boned family which lead nowhere.
"Now." mused Kinross, "that wouldn
be so bad If she weren't talking to
farmland. If only she didn't Civ
herself over SO entirely to her litti
pose of being superior" he though
ruefully, "she might be very attra'
tiye-she's so tremendously good ioof
ing. wonder what she would be lik
II she dropped It."
pete" said Daisy, zone of thes
days l want you to hire Abe's hors
and buggy from him and take me &c
drive and show me the country, WI
YOU? OF course I'll pay the prize
Abe's so tight across the chest he
never give 1t to us for nothing"
"Oh, Daisy" gently protested Geo
glana. "what an expression! lnstea
of trying to give these people highe
standards you would debase the
] taste with your low-yes. low-slang.'