Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-02-18
Ais Fair
In Love.
By Constance darcy Maek.y.
Copyrighted. 1903. by P. G. Eastment.


hand to hide yawn.
The night before she had driven ten
miles across country to the little town
of Brantly, where she had witnessed
performance of strolling players as
spiritedly as poor scenery and cos
tunes would allow, and she had been
idly dilating to Aldrich on the actors
of the piece, the too bombastic TRACE
dian. the amusingly ingenious come.
dian and the little soubrette who look
ed like piece Of Dresden china. AL
drich listened with frown.
II don't care If your aunt did chap
eron you" be burst out. what OBJ
ject to is the fact that you went with
Percy Graham at all. Every one
knows he's cad"
Bobby
What right has he to come down
here and butt in like thisl 1t just
shows what an internal bounder he
fs!
Hes only been here three days."
murmured Miss Farney.
"Yet he's managed to monopolize
most of them. See here, Hildegarde,
do you think you're playing the game
square?"
"Square"
Before he came you'd almost prom
ised to marry me-"
Almost, but not quite"
"Oh. Hildegarde," Aldrich groaned.
We've had such jolly times together
all summer, and now He ground
his heel against the porch rail. Hang
me II ! can see his attractions! Hes
as stupid US an owl and as insignif'
cant as'-
"Robertr'
When Hildegrade Farney spoke In
that tone 1t was time to stop. But the
thought that was uppermost in both
their minds, though unexpressed, was
the fact that Percy Graham was the
owner Of three millions. In these days
of large fortunes it was not an astound-
ing sum. yet to Aldrich 1t doomed large
as q mountain. He knew that Hide
garde was what he phrased straight
stuff" and that this latest caprice OF
hers might not last the week out.
Still, as even the faintest possibility
of losing her gave his heart terrific
wrench, and since Hlldegarde's aunt,
Miss Norris. looked on Percy Graham
with an eye of worldly wisdom as well
as critical appraisement, 1t behooved
young Aldrich to see to his laurels, and
he knew 1t.
Percy Graham had money and an
abnormal supply Of cheek. Aldrich had
brains and pluck and an income from
his growing law practice Of such pro-
portions that he did not hesitate to ask
Miss Farney to share 1t with him.
That Hildegarde should really care
for Percy Graham was an idea too pre-
posterous to be countenanced. But
alas! There was no sure way OF fol-
lowing the labyrlnths Of the feminine
mind. Aldrich Strengthened suddenly
and looked at Hildegarde
81 was q beast just now" he said
Quickly. what said Of Graham Is
true, but It's not my business to run
him down. If you want good time.
go ahead. Only-just remember once
In awhile what chums we've been.
won't your And Aldrich swung him.
self over the porch rail and smiled
back at her as he took his way to the
hotel farther down the beach where he
was spending his vacation.
AS he walked he caught sight Of Per
cy Graham's automobile racing over
the smooth sand at the edge Of the
surf line. As he had turned back to
look at Hlldegarde, so now he glanced
over his shoulder at the speeding car.
only In this case his lips opened. not to
| smile. but to give vent to q volcanic
word of one syllable.
Two afternoons later as he went
briskly up the nasturtium bordered
path that led to Hildegarde cottage
she hailed him from the porch where
she and Percy Graham were sitting.
"Why. Bobby" she cried, where
have you been hermiting this perfect
age"
"I've Just been asking Miss Farney
about YOU" drawled Percy Graham.
Aldrich glared at him cheerfully.
Thanks. Always glad to have my
friends inquire. All, good afternoon.
Miss Norris" as Hildegarde's aunt ap-
peared in the doorway, while behind
her appeared the face Of a pretty Irish
servant. Miss Norris looked unusually
perturbed. "That red haired boy from
the village grocery store has been
frightening Mary Ellen with absurd
tales of band Of gypsies."
"Gypsies! WhereY' Hlldegarde's
face was alight with interest
AT the back Of the pine woods" fal
tered Mary Ellen. ""Tis kidnapers
they are, and tits at night they prowl.
Thomas says"
when did they Gomez" demanded
Hildegarde.
"'Twas this morning the terrible
creatures pitched their tents. Thorn
as saw them"
Crust Thomas for seeing anything
In q radius Of twenty miles," sighed
Miss Norris. "Oh, Hildegarde. you're
not GOING
"Were all going. uunty." cried Hide
garde, "in Mr.. Graham's carr
"'Tis flying In the face Of evil for.
tune they are" walled Mary Ellen,
'and tits myself that will lock up all
the doors and sit close by Julia. the
cook. till they come back again.
The road through the gypsy camp
lay through an undulatin: Lit Of coun-
try. Pines grew on either hand. cast
Ing Il twilight E.nh!.i. Ge"l'. tooi, I'M
penetrable Iii,.,!cn brooks tinklc.
over moss and pebbles. Bird song:
sounded through the stiffness as clear
ly sweet as silver flutes.
Suddenly turn Of the road brought
the gypsy camp into view. some three
or four tents pitched in a meadow
against background Of birch and FIR
In the foreground by huge black
caldron sat a weather beaten bag. her
black mantle falling about her IL
witchlike folds. her piercing eyes gaz
ing out from under a shag Of grizzly
locks.
Other picturesque figures appeared
at the tent doors-a dark, somber look
Ing man smoking long pipe and two
comely Romany girls tinkling with
metal chains and earrings.
Fascinating" whispered Miss Far
ney