Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-09-03
Cupid ON
The Fence.
BY M. C. SANFORD.
copyright, 1907. by Jessie Morgan.

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ssssssssssssssssssssssssss
It was Friday afternoon. AS usual,
Jack had telephoned Elinor asking her
to 70 automobiling with him, and, not
at all rs usual, she had said she would
not. Her refusal was unprecedented
and almost as much Of surprise to
herself as 1t. was to Jack, but sober
second thought seemed to justify 1t.
1t was foolish, so argued Elinor to
herself us she hung up the receiver. to
let Jack take so much for granted, to
let him think she was always ready,
as a matter Of course, to answer his
beck and call. She would show him
thing or two. There were other men
to be considered. and she didn't intend
to marry Jack any more than-well,
perhaps not as much as she intended
to marry some one else! Still 1t was
such lovely afternoon, and she did 80
love to 60 autOmObiling!
The telephone rang again.
Hello" answered ElinOr languidly.
"Oh. Mr.. Norris? Yes. Go AUTOMOBILE
ing with you this afternoon? ! shall
lie delighted. Three o'clock? All right
I'll be ready Goodby."
Elinor clapped her hands and gave
herself little squeeze Of congratula-
ton.
Half an hour later, her little round
chin tilted saucily above the big blue
bow of her gauzy veil, ElinOr stood
waiting OH the porch. picture OF pert
ness and prettiness.
At the "honk, honk," Of an approach
Ing automobile she ran quickly down
the steps to greet Vernon Norris, but
to her establishment the car did not
stop, and. looking after 1t curiously.
she discovered that 1t was not Vernon,
differ all, but Jack, and-could she be-
lieve her eyes?-he was not alone!
There was funny little tight feeling
about Ellnors heart that she didn't
care to analyze. She turned her back
on the vanishing apparition OF Jack,
and there on the top Of the hill, like
a coming event that had cast its shad'
ow before 1t (alas, that 1t was such n
corporal shadowD, she saw Vernon's
car looming into sight
Anyway, reflected ElinOr, If Yer
mons auto wasn't such beauty rs
Jacks. 1t was still an auto. and "
Vernon wasn't. perhaps. as handsome
as Jack, he was still man. and when
1t came to a matter Of comparison. Il
man far more solicitous Of her happi-
ness. Jack had a way Of spinning
through the country without, appar-
emily, the least consciousness of her
presence beside him. Vernon. on the
other hand. was always on the alert to
rescue the hayward end of her veil.
to INQUIRE for her comfort and to ask
what speed hest pleased her present
mood. With him she herself, not the
machine, was the center of his
thoughts.
AS a result Of these reflections, Eli
nor greeted Vernon with an unusually
winsome smile and extended her hand
with charming graciousness, a favor
which that young man, most natural
ly. fiattered himself was stimulated
by his own irresistible powers Of at
traction.
Elinor followed up the cordially Of
her welcome with such chatter OF
merry talk as they went flying
through the country and seemed SO
radiantly happy. that Vernon. bring
ing the machine to sudden slow
down, simultaneously with his inspira-
ton. decided to learn his fate then
and there.
1t proved most literally a popping
Of the question. His declaration was
cut short with sound as of spontane-
GUS combustion. The noise. together
with vernon's unexpected proposal.
took Ellnor Off her feet, both mentally
and physically. AS she sprang up
Vernon caught her to him.
"It's all right, DEAR" he murmured,
with extravagant tenderness. You're
not hurt: only frightened" and he lift
ed her veil so that he might look into
her face.
Ellnor freed herself with effort.
NO" she said, sadly. "I'm not hurt
and I'm not frightened" She felt
suddenly an indescrIbable shrinking
| from the man. He had been too quick
to take advantage Of the situation.
| Had II been Jack, he
Vernon interrupted her train OF
thought by shouting to some men In
the distance for help. They did not
hear him.
lawfully sorry" he said finally.
"but I'm afraid III have to 60 across
the fields for help. There's n farm
house over there. I'm very much like
Humpty Dumpty. you see. l don't
know how to put myself together
again" CEIinor saw. but somehow
was not amused.) Twill you be timid
here alone"
"Not ut ALL" she answered firmly.
ignoring the sentimental look IN his
eyes.
81 won't be long" he assured her
as he jumped out Of the car. "Stay
just where you are and make yourself