Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-03-03
BY HELEN r. MARTIN,

see whom Kinross is leaving your radi-
ant presence tonight?'
81 don't know" Georgiana answered.
with dignity.
"You look worried too"
Georgiana shrugged her shapely
shoulders.
81 wonder whether that man would
do such an underhand thing as that"
Daisy speculated. not without indig-
nation.
"As what? You are rather indef-
mite, Daisy"
81 don't know how to be more def
mite. I'm sure"
Georgiana had to let It rest ut that,
| for at this moment Mr.. Gateshead was
announced.
1t was with more than her usual
Indifference that Georgiana received
his ohseQuious greeting. Daisy. who
looked on sympatheticaly, could not
| be sure that the deep flush which
mounted to his forehead was due TO
| the shock of ecstasy he received from
night by her extraordinarily becoming
gown. or to his pain and embarrass-
| ment at her manner.
AS she turned halfway from him to
a chair in the bay window he awk-
wardly sat down on the davenport be.
side Daisy To relieve the situation,
at least for the sake of her own feel
ings and Mr.. Gateshead's, Daisy chat
ted vivaciously, but she met with Il
discouraging lack of response, for Mr..
GateShcad was crushed and Georgiana
quite unable TO force an interest in
anything but the theme which just
now absorbed her highest contempla
tion.
The announcement of another guest
was very welcome to Daisy. The name
CDR. Kinross" sent thrill Of eXpec-
fancy through the two feminine hearts
in the room but it gave to the lovesick
man on the davenport a sharp pang
of jealous apprehension. for DR.. Kin
ross popularity with girls and women
was so notorious as to be source OF
modification to himself.
1t was still early. and President El-
lery had not yet come into the parlor
so Mr.. Gateshead had to perform tbe
ceremony of Introduction.
Dr. Kinross in evening dress bore
very slight resemblance on a first
glance to Peter the farmland. Miss
Ellery came forward across the floor
holding out her beautiful hand and
met him in the middle of the room.
Tall rs she was. he stood head and
shoulders above her as he clasped her
offered hand His face was quite
grave as their hands and g!ances met.
Mr.. Gteshcad. looking OH rs the two
girls greeted Kinross. felt sOmethn"
electric in the air. something strange
in the .eXpectant. tentative look of Dr.
Kinross' eyes upon Georgiaua's up
turned face.
1--WE have heard a great deal about
DR.. Kinross." Georgiana said, with
gracious condescension, speaking Ike
royal parsonage in the plural. His
fame followed us even into our rural
retreat this summer to Pennsylvania:
Dutch farm. our letters from home dis
cussing him as IT, She stopped short.
her eyes fixed upon his face, her SELF
consciousness suddenly dropping from
her like cloak.
"Was it only his fame which 70.
lowed you:" Kinross spoke. "Or was
It you who followed him? think hc
was there first. wasn't hc!'
Georgiana stood translxed her eye
growing wider and wider with wonder
and ama2ement The shock of recog-
milton had startled her out Of herself
and for the first time In his acQuaint-
ance with her kinross saw her before
him unaffected. natural. herself, and
for the first time her face in It's free
dom from self consciousness seemed
to him unQualiiiedly beautiful. AS for
Daisy. she forgot herself SO far as to
grip Gateshead by the arm to keep
herself from tottering.
"Yes," acknowledged Kinross In an
apologetic tone. replying to Georgana's
speechless stare. you're right. I'm
Pete. Rcproach me as much as you
want to-I deserve n roasting, know
"But." she breathed. show can you
be? What-what are you:"
"Graciousw gasped Daisy. "Good
gracious"
$50 many things" gulped Georgiana
her face colorless. "come to my mind
to confirm it-that you are Pete-l
mean that Pete was yOu!"
ooh" cried Daisy. staring wildly.
"Georgiana and I called you Pete all
summer! You!"
"Thats nv classic name"
"And all the while You were DR.. Kin
rossw breathed Georgiana.
"And I lent you The Story of the
Great Back Boned Family! on!
shrieked Daisy Historically.
"And didn't think me shining sue
ces ms n farmland. did you"
q" can't grasp IT.! half whispered
Georgiana.
at will come to you gradually no
doubt" he cOnsoled her.
"rhat we were under the same ROOF
with you for four weeks and never
dreamed of it-of who you were she
amended her remark. "How did you
manage it?'
at wasn't very difficult" he answer
ed. not intending an aspersion on their
intelligence.
T never dreamed Of suspecting any
thing. How could l." she said, look
ing dazed, "when you used bad Eng
lish and washed at the pump, though
I remember you always had separate
towel. but you ate with your knife"
"One can rise superior to mere
prejudice like fork, Miss Ellery. In a
good cause"
"Mlss Ellery?' Why don't you call
her George? She calls you Pete
madly suggested Daisy.
Georglana. flushing glanced haughti-
" ut Daisy "A good cause:' she
quickly repeated That's just the
point. What was the cause? why
did you deceive u.s.!
"It's up to you. Peter, to explain sat,
isfactorily your guy deception, sail
Daisy. "lf you area't the limit! vi
all the foxy tricks ! ever heard or
Didn't l always gay there w;S some
thing foxy about Won? did. Well.
talk It out with George. and I'll receive
your apologies later-alone In the con-
servatory Come. Mr.. Gateshead' well
leave them alone in this sacred mo-.