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


the solution Of the mystery Of this
maiden. To offer as an explanation
Of her having sent those girls to look
| for him in the north cornfield that
she knew that's where he wouldn't be
evidently she was not quite right In
her mind.
But another idea occurred to him.
"Ahr' he said. you wanted to give
them a false scent, knowing that
prefer to keep to myself?'
1t was beautiful explanation. For
q moment she half believed that was
why she had sent them to the north
cornfield-to protect him from their
unwelcome society. Anyway, it was
infinitely comforting to have him
think so, instead of knowing her rea!
reason. What was her real reason
She could not have defined it, even to
herself.
He seemed waiting to hear her con-
firm or deny his surmise. But she did
not speak.
at was very kind of you" he pres
emily added, Ito want to oblige me-"
Her face burned hotter. She had
an impulse to turn to him and unde-
ceive him-to tell him the disgraceful
truth. But what was the truth? Why
had she wished to keep him away
from the two girls?
1t was her entire ignorance Of life
that made 1t so impossible for her to
understand her own quite primitive
emotions.
1T was clever of you, too," he chuc-
kled. THE north corntield! I'd be
Just as likely to be at the north pole,
wouldn't II"
Kinross was, in fact, gratuitously as
suming that she had wished to return
his favor to her in having averted her
foster fathers wrath upon finding her
with the forbidden newspaper.
Eunice was conscious of the fact that,
while in her heart she felt ashamed of
what she had done. she was throbblng
with joy ut having done it, for was he
not here alone with her In the summer
evening? She eXulted madly in her
guilt.
81 would never have dreamed you
capable, little Eunice, Of such sub
tlety," he went on, and she could feel
the amusement in his voice. ITO think
| Of those two poor girls securing that
cornfield in search of me! And you
look so harmless!'
He gave a short laugh as he put his
pipe to his lips.
Vas he really so glad, she wondered,
at having escaped them? The thought
was followed by an apprehension
which clouded her joy of the moment,
| IL he was so fond of being alone, her
| own presence here must annoy him,
but he had come to her. She had not
intruded upon him.
IL must 80 indoors now, she sud
denly said, hei low sweet voice scarce
ly above a whisper as she drew back
from the fence.
Must you? What fori' he asked,
and her hungry heart felt or imagined
note of regret in his tone.
81 don't have to-if-if it doesn't an
noy you for me to be here"
Again to Kinross' ear that something
| in her speech so unlike that of the rest
| of the family. So arrested WAS he by
II that for an instant he did Lot an
swer her question. His s'l|ace was
answer enough for her, and again she
quickly stepped away from the fence
"No"-he abruptly stopped her-"you
don't annoy me-"
He was struck with the absurdity
of his telling young woman that her
society I'D not annoy him. lie saw
in the dimness how her face lighted
up at his words, and u quick compass
sion stirred him.
poor lonely child" he thought.
But I'm the same instant he realized
that her sudden radiance was clouded
over by her hab;tual pensiveness.
"Tm not important enough to- came
her response in low, sorrowful voice.
"Am ~
He turned and looked at her. "Now.
Eunice," he asked after an instants
weighing of It, "just what do you
mean by that?'
"a kitten or poodle would annoy
you more than I, so you don't feel
obliged to dodge about TO he rid OF me
nc Won do of-otherS-who are more
important"
Hello. She had found her voice: she
was become articulate! Was that Il
note of bitterness he caught in her
words?
81 will 90 indoors now," she re-
peated, with melancholy dignity, rs
again she drew back from the fence.
He had an impulse to urge her to
stay. There was an undeiined impress
sion in his mind that he wanted TO
question her about herself. But both
the impulse and the impression were
too vague to urge to prompt action,
and before he could clarity them she
| was gone.
Eunice meantime, as she sped
across the orchard, was already re-
GREETING passionately that she had left
him. If she did not annoy him was
not that enough for her to expect!
Why had she not remained to drink
in at least the happiness Of being near
him? And what did 1t matter If to
him her existence was as that of fly!
"He wa speaking to me-to me-and
I came awayr
She stopped short in her quick walk
and half turned to go back. Her eyes
fell upon two figures just coming into
the orchard and walking toward the
spring house. They were the young ID
dies, and they had spied Pete where
he still stood by the fence. Daisy's
ripping, shallow laughter foated to
her on the quiet evening air. She
stood still and watched. Would DR..
Kinross go away when he heard them
coming? Yes, he was moving on
though escape was not very easy. She
heard Daisy call out to him to stop
him. She saw him hesitate, then turn
back and wait. Daisy ran up to, him
and caught hold Of his shirt sleeve
Georgiana followed with slow. stately
grace.
Presently the three Of them went
across the orchard together toward the
Am Haas