Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-08-20
1907. by P. C. Eastment.

Itself ut which ne reeleu as ITOu
blow in the face. Leaning Imply
against a doorway he stared, mutter-
ing, Impossible, impossible"
His widest imaginings had material
lied before his eyes, but he scornfully
rejected the suggested explanations OF
his reason, repeating again and again,
impossible"
He was unconscious Of the passing
throng and too deeply shocked and abb
sorbed to feel surprise when a hand
clapped him upon the shoulder and
hearty voice cried: Hello, old man!
When did you blow in?'
Ellison seized the speaker and drew
him around the corner.
Fred" he demanded, lis that Miss
Mlllicent Warlng? My eyes tell me
30, but cannot believe them"
"Sure, that's Miss Warning"
"But-but-good heavens! WHAT'S
she doing in the confectionery shop"
Selling, same as other shopkeepers.'
"But why? OF course / see she Is
selling, but whyT' He shook the other
vehemently.
Necessity, suppose, same as the
other shopkeepers again." he grinned,
winking at newcomer over Ellison's
shoulder.
Necessity" yelled Ellison. "You
don't mean-you can't mean
Better moderate your emotion, ELL
son." the newcomer advised, indicating
bluecoat who was regarding them
suspiclolvly.
"Of course, boys - Ellison's voice
was a murmur-"of course know you
can't mean that she is obliged to do It."
"Why not? Couldn't old man War
Ing come financial cropper, same as
thousands of others just as astute as
he!"
1.-THE world could come to an end"
Ellison jeered, but his heart had set
up a sudden pounding that dizzied
him.
Comes to an end every day, dear
boy, for those money kings when their
little card houses tumble. It's new
world for them and their families, too,
after that"
You betw exclaimed one Of another
couple of youths who had added them
selves to the group. Miss Warning Is
finding it new world, all right"
Sundry sly winks and mods were ex-
changed by the four young fellows. nc
qualntances to whom Ellison had for
gotten to give greeting.
"Where's Mr.. WaringY he asked.
"Oh, he's around. He's plucky. He'll
/ pull 1t off again some time, l reckon"
one said, with laugh.
That's So" affirmed another. But
in the meantime there must be bread
aud butter"
but wasn't there somebody - or
something else for Miss Millicent"-
Fred Wilson interrupted Ellison's in
dignant Outburst:
Nothing by which she could so
quickly and easily rake in the shek-
els"
"She's pulling them in by the hand
full, too," said Hughes. "She seems u
natural saleslady - has the gift for
trade"
Ellison flushed resentfully. But it
cannot be pleasant
"Oh, her position has its unpleasant
features, Of course" Stream interrupt
ed lightly. "Some Of the Climbers
snub her, and disapprOval riots on all
sides, but Miss Mllllcent carries 1t off
well. She might have married-that
is, suppose So" he insinuated, with
wicked eyes.
Yes, she might have married while
the old mans pile was intact" Forrest
assented.
But she didn't. And wife with
prospective millions and one with moth
Ing but expensive habits and passablc
beauty are two very different things"
Stream asserted.
Ellison turned q furious face upon
him and half raised clinched fist,
then, mastering himself, he remarked.
II suppose that's the way the world
sees It," and strobe away.
The four rascals burst into exuber-
ant delight. digging each other In the
ribs AMI chuckling hilariously as he
disappeared down q siGe street.
Ellison had no coherent thought at
first as he tore along. The knowledge
that tho barrier between them was re-
moved dazed him. But soon he began
to turn things over in his mind, to even
consider the possibility Of his own
thousands which had seemed puerile
before, now serving as foundation
for new beginning on which Mr..
Waring might build. The other, the
infinitely greater possibility Of winning
Milllcent, he tried to keep in the back
ground until proper hour for its con.
sheraton.
Having at last adjusted himself
somewhat to the new conditions, ho
felt that he could trust himself to see
her. They shook hands quietly. There
was little opportunity just then for
words, but there was humorous yet
tender CLINT In her eyes as she occa-
sionally glanced at his earnest, preoc-
eupied face while she served q bunch
Of school children.
The four conspirators let her into
the secret and departed to spread
broadcast the jest. the prank upon 81.
lison, whose sentiment toward Miss
Warning was an open secret. And pres
emily, by twos and threes and In
squads, her old friends and former as
sociates began to saunter by. Some
purchased Of her with simpering pat
ronage, some with q cold nod Of rec
ognition, whilo others passed with
naughty, sneering oblivion Of her.
Some Of the smart youths inclined to
a familiarity that almost amounted to
rudeness.
Ellison noted 1t all, his heart grow
Ing hotter until 1t burst all restraint.
"AIiss Warning = Millicent" he
breathed with low intensity as they
were alone for 4 moment. II cannot
bear this! It may be presumption
improper even, for me to speak here
cannot help 1t! am sure you have
long lnown Of my deep love for you,
though you cannot realize how 1t Is my
very life and soui-I have had 80 little
to o6sI ] falt 1 could. not prlapmA p