Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-06-30

termined him to do. But the magni
tude Of the undertaking did not see'u
to weigh upon his spirits. The sympn
thetc but cheerful friend was the role
he essayed. and he played 1t 80 sue.
ceSsfully that the next half hour found
them conversing pensively across NV"
plates of Ice cream. though yet there
was no diminution of the sadness In
Miss Conway's large gray eyes.
Before they parted in the hall that
evening she ran upstairs and brought
down the framed photograph wrapped
lovingly in white silk scarf MIR
Donovan surveyed 1t with inscrutable
eyes.
HE gave me this the night he left
for Italy" said Miss Conway. II had
the one for the locket made from this.
"a fine looking man." said Mr.. Dono
van heartily "How would 1t suit you.
Miss Conway. to give me pleasure of
your company to Coney next Sunday
afternoonY"
A month later they announced their
engagement to Mrs. Scott and the 9th
er boarders. Miss Conway continued
to wear black.
A week after the announcement the
two sat on the same bench in the
downtown park. while the. hutterlng
leaves Of the trees made a dim kineto'
scopic picture Of them In the moon
light. But Donovan had worn a look
of abstracted gloom all day. He was
SO silent tonight that loves lips could
not keep back any longer the questions
that loves heart propounded.
whats the matter, Andy, you are so
solemn and grouchy tonight"
Nothing. Maggie"
81 know better. Can't tell? You
never acted this way before. What Is
it?"
ats nothing much, Maggie"
eyes, 1t is, and want to know. I'll
bet It's some other girl you are think
ing about. All right. Why don't you
60 get her IL you want her? Take your
arm away. If you please"
"I'I tell you then" said Andy wisely.
"but l guess you won't understand It
exactly. You've heard Of Mike Sulli.
van, haven't you? Big Mike Sullivan
everybody calls him."
"No, | haven't" said Maggie. "And
l don't want to II he makes you act
like this. Who is he?"
Hes the biggest man in New York"
said Andy ALMOST revrrrmtly. He can
about do anything hr wants to with
Tammuny or any other Did thing in the
political line. He's IL mile high and as
broad as the East river You say any.
thing against Big Mike ard you'll
have Il million men on your collarbone
in about two seconds. Why. he made
a visit over to the old country awhile
back, and the kings took to their holes
like rabbits.
well. Big Mikes friend of mine.
amt more than deuce high In the
district as far as influence goes. but
Mikes as good friend to little man
or a poor man US he Is to big one. |
met him today on the Bowery, and
what do you think he does? Comes up
and shakes hands. Andy says be-
I've been keeping cases on you.
You've been putting In some good licks
over on your side Of the street. and
I'm proud of you. What'll you take to
drink He takes cigar, and take
| a hlghball. told him was going to
get married In two weeks. Andy
saws he, send me an invitation so I'll
keen in mind Of It, and III come to the
wedding That's what Big Mike says
to me, and he always does what he
says.
"You don't understand It, Maggie,
but I'd have one Of my hands cut on
to have Big Mike Sullivan ut our wed,
ding. 1t would be the proudest day OF
my life. When he goes to a mans
wedding there's a guy being married
that's made for life. Now, that's why
I've maybe looking sore tonight"
"Why don't you invite him, then. II
he's so much to the mustardT said
Maggie lightly.
"There's a reason why l can't" said
Andy sadly. There's a reason why
he mustn't be there. Don't ask me
what It is, for l can't tell you"
"Oh. don't care" said Maggie
"It's something about politics. ol
course. But It's no reason why you
can't smile at ME"
"AIaggie." said Andy presently. dc
You think as much Of me US you did ol
your-as you did Of the Count MAJ
zini?".
he waited long time, but Maggie
did 10, reply And then suddenly she
leaned against his shoulder and begai
to cry-to cry and shake with sobs