Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-12-17

but girl OF weak or mean spirit would
permit herself to be, and he under
stood that her present sense OF guilt
was due to the contraband newspaper
she was found idly reading when she
should have been hard ut work. AS far
as he had observed, the girl was never
allowed ten minutes of relaxation FROM
morning to night also, Mr.. Morning
star had strictly forbidden his house
hold to touch the "gent'man boarder's
daily paper which he pronounced II
willy invention of Satan.
So il was only Il feeling of fear that
could rouse her from her lethafgy.
ITS only l." he said apoiogeticaily
"Alay CONE in and get glass of wa
ter"
She did not seem much rcaSSUrcd l.!
the fact that it was only he. She SAL.
back Imply against the step ~ he came
| forward and helped himself, but hen
eyes as they followed him did not lost
their strained expression nor her face
regain its color. He watched her curl
ously as he slowly drank II glass of wa
ter. The ncy Spaper was crumpled into
her lap, and her gaze seemed held by
his in Il sort Of fascination.
Don't be afraid" he smiled upon her
IL won't tell"
She did not answer. She seemed
spellbound He wondered whether he
could make her talk. At least lie had
made her look ut him.
Its one OF my newspapers, isn't itT
he asked.
"Yes," she breathed.
"Old Morningstar makes me hand
them over to him to be burned every
morning. How did you rescue one:"
She swallowed hard as she managed
| to answer in Il voice just above whis'
per, He puts them in the stove to be
burned when light the fire for break
fast take them out"
"Eh? And then snatch chances ike
this for reading themT
"Yes."
"Um-m!' he commented thoughtful'
ly. Upon my word"
They looked at each other for an IN
stant without speaking.
You had never read newspaper,
suppose, before ! came here|
NO"
"Do you find them amusing|
"Amusing:" she repeated, the strain
ed expression In her eyes giving way
to puzzled look.
"Well." he conceded, perhaps you
don't find them that-a daily record OF
crimes and accidents. Interesting,
should have said. Do you like themF
he added, cropping for words intelligi
BILE to her simplicity.
"Yes."
"But you can't read with much prof
II or pleasure when you have to snatch
| chance moments at them In this wayF
She did not reply.
"And much that you read would be
unintelligible to you, should say, see
| Ing you are not accustomed to reading
newspapers. | don't see how you gel
enough out of 1t to pay for such
| fright as you had just now when you
| thought you were being caught"
| Still she did not answer.
"What stupid creature" he
thought marveling that so dull a dam
sci should have pair Of eyes thai
shone like stars and countenance ol
such extraordinary thoughtfulness
"Now, II she were an intelligent girl il
would be interesting to get her fresi
impression of newspaper"
Suddenly, while he regarded hel
speculatiyely. slipping his water with
| delibcration and she returned his gaze
with sort Of fascinated concentra
tion. the doorway was again darkened
and this time It was he who started
with apprehension as Mr.. Morningstal
came into the springhouse. kinroSs
was Instantly aware Of the fact thai
the girl did not start now nor attempt
| to hide the newspaper. On the con
trary. the presence of the scrubby lit
tie farmer seemed suddenly to dissi
pate the spell which he had evidentl!
cast upon her. for she rose quite de
liberately and began to gather together