Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-18

they enjoyed little needed the indorse
ment Of speech. Mrs. McMahan's dia
monds were outshone by few in the
room. The waiter bore the costliest
brands of wine to their table In even.
ing dress, with an expression of gloom
upon his smooth and massive coun-
tenance, you would look in vain for
more striking figure than Billy's.
Four tables away sat alone a tall.
slender man about thirty, with thought
ful. melancholy eyes, vandyke beard
and peculiarly white. thin hands. He
was dining on filet mignon, dry toast
and apollinaris. That man was Cort-
landt Van Duyckink, man worth
| SS0000,0G0. who inherited and held q
sacred seat In the exclusive inner cir
Gle Of society.
Billy McMahan spoke to no one
around him because he knew no one.
lun Duycklnk kept his eyes on his
bate because he knew that every eye
present was hungry to catch his. He
could bestow knighthood and prestige
by nod, and he was chary Of creating
too extensive nobility.
And then Billy McMahan conceived
and accomplished the most startling
and audacious act Of his life. He rose
deliberately and walked over to COrt-
landt Van Duyckink's table and held
out his hand.
"Say, Mr.. Van Duyckink," he said,
"Ive heard you was talking about
starting some reforms among the poor
people down In my district. I'm Me-
Mahan, you know. Say, now, II that's
straight I'll do all can to help you.
And what says goes in that neck Of
the woods, don't 1t? Oh, say. l rather
guess 1t does"
Van Duycklnk's rather somber eyes
lighted up. Efe rose to his lank height
and grasped Billy McMahan's hand.
"Thank you, Mr.. McMahan," he said
in his deep. serious tones. II have
been thinking Of doing some work Of
that sort. l shall be glad Of your as.
sistance. 1t pleases me to become ac-
quainted with you"
Billy walked back to his seat. His
shoulder was tingling from the acco-
lade bestowed by royalty. A hundred
eyes were now turned upon him in
envy and new admiration. Mrs. VIII
liam Darragh McMahan trembhed with
ecstasy, so that her diamonds smote
the eye almost with pain. And now 1t
was apparent that at many tables
there were those who suddenly remem-
bered that they enjoyed Mr.. McMa-
hans acquaintance. He saw smiles
and bows about him. He became en-
veloped in the aura Of dizzy greatness.
His campaign coolness deserted him.
wine for that gang" he command
ed the waiter, pointing with his finger.
wine over there! Wine to those three
gents by that green bush! Tell 'em
it's on me. See? Wine for everybody"
The waiter ventured to whisper that
1t was perhaps inexpedient to carry
out the order In consideration Of the
dignity Of the house and its custom.
"All right" said Billy, "if It's against
the rules l wonder II 'twould do to
send my friend Van Duyckink bottle.
No? Well, it'll flow all right at the
cafry tonight, just the same. It'll be
rubber boots for anybody who comes
in there any time up to 2 a. M"
Billy McMahan was happy.
He had shaken the hand Of Cortlandt
Van Duyckink.
The big pale gray auto with Its shin
ing metal work looked out Of place
moving slowly among the pushcarts
and trash heaps on the lower east side
So did Cortlandt Van Duyckink, with
his aristocratic face and white. thin
hands, as he steered carefully between
the groups Of ragged. scurrying young
sters in the streets. And so did Miss
Constance Schuyler. with her dim.
ascetic beauty, seated at his side.
"Oh, Cortlandt," she breathed. isn't
II sad that human beings have to live
in such wretchedness and poverty
And you-how noble 1t Is Of you to
think of them, to give your time and
money to improve their condition"
Van Duyckink turned his solemn
eyes upon her.
ut Is little" he said sadly, that
can do. The question is large one
and belongs to society. But even in
dlvidual effort is not thrown away
Look, Constance! On this street have
arranged to build soup kitchens. where
no one who Is hungry WILL be turned
away. And down this other street are
the old buildings that | shall cause to
be torn down and there erect others In
place of those death traps Of fire and
disease"
Down Delaney slowly crept the pale
gray auto. Away from it toddled COW
eys Of wondering, tangle haired, bare
footed, unwashed children. 1t stopped
before a crazy brick structure. foul
and awry.
Van Duyckink alighted to examine
at better perspective one OF the lean
inc walls. Down the steps OF the
building came young man who
seemed to epitomize Its degradation
squalor and infelicity-a narrow chest
ed, pale, unsavory young man. pulling
at cigarette.
| ObeyIng sudden impulse, Van
Duyckink stepped out and warmly
grasped the hand Of what seemed to
him a living rebuke.
81 want to know you people" he
said sincerely. ~ am going to help
you as much as can. We shall be
friends"
Il As the auto crept carefully away
Courtlandt Van Duyckink felt an un
accustomed glow about his heart. He
was near to being happy man.
II He had shaken the hand OF key
; Snigglefritz.
Capital Punishment.
Bride ffhr0winC her arms about thl