Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-03-03
CHAPTER XVII

ana, and I'm awfully sorry for
you, but | can't help it." said
a Daisy, as one afternoon in Octo-
Der the two girls strolled about the
campus: 1--WE got to tell You. You
are laboring under the delusion that
Kinross is in love with you've can't
of course, understand how he can help
being. when he had the chance Of
watching us for four weeks without
our knowing It, But" she added in
the tone Of an oracle. "he Is not! Bet
ter you should know 1t now while none
of your feelings except your pride are
mixed up and before you hurt poor
Gateshead to the point Of driving him
into my arms"
How can you possibly know any
thing Of DR.. Klnross' feelings, Daisy"
Geergiana asked. "He is not man
to flaunt them before the public. And
| don't suppose he has taken yOu into
his confidence"
ooh. but he has"
Georgiana turned and looked at her
quickly. What do you mean. Daisy"
"IIe not u man to faunt his feelings!
Gracious. he can't repress himself! He
just has to let out to every passerby!
"And has he coatided to you that he
Is not in love with me" Georgiana
smilingly inquired.
"Ie made me hear the whole story
of Eunice--her turning out to he an
heiress and the daughter of one Of the
Oldest and best families in the coun-
try. Well. Georgiana. no man looks
as he looked while speaking Of that
girl unless he has gone the way Of all
flesh and become mad with love. You
would have seen it for yourself, but
for your prepossessiOn that he loved
you. What chance | missed myself,
or if I'd dreamed that Pete was him
mean he-I might have had try at
him myself, for do like the creature
rather 1t isn't his fault that all the
girls get silly about him. Yes" she
said thoughtfully, "if I'd ever dreamed
of his being himself l certainly would
have given my attention to his case,
for know the man Is rather fond of
me-you maynt have noticed it-and
my own private opinion Is that we
were made for each other. No hope
for any of us now, though, not even
for you. George. He's shelved! The
long lost heiress has him. Whether
he has her l don't know I'd love to
see him refused. I'd like to have a
chance to refuse him myself. Though
in such a contingency, II he continued
TO want me, I'd think about It. AS fol
you, Georglana, you'll have to content
yourself with Gateshead."
Georgiana laughed. "Your gratui.
tous surmlses. my dear, are all wrong
How could q man like DR.. Kinross
care for mere country girl like En-
family? She was little less illiterate
than the rest, but simple, uneducat
ed country girl nevertheless. Why,
never saw Dr. Kinross speak to her"
"He spoke to her whether we saw
him or not"
"He is too clever man and too fas
tidious to become enamored Of an I'm.
sophisticated country girl" Georgiana
repeated confidently. 1.-The idea is alb
surd."
HE loves, adores, worships herr
Daisy affirmed. Hes mad about her
What, ask, is more alluring to 9
world weary cynic than rural simple
ity"
Rural simplicity" reasoned Geor.
giana. "is very we'll in its way.
think don't underrate its value and
its charm. But highly complex men
tai and spiritual organism like that OF
DIR. Kinross could not be at one with
4 simple organism like that Of the girl
Eunice. 1t stands to reason"
"She was duplex or complex enough
to land her fish," Daisy vulgarly de-
clared "And to think, Georgiana, how
you missed your chance when you had
him all to yourself for whole month
for, of course. wasn't In the way"
"No doubt DR.. Kinross found my
| true self more quickly because Of my
Inconsistencies of his presence than
II we had come together in the ordi
nary way and been hampersd by con
ventional forms and reserves"
"And maybe that's why he fell II
love with Eunice instead Of YOU"
IL don't follow your reasoning"
Clear as mud! He found you tot
superior. Prefers rural simplicity.
ask you," she demanded, with a the
atrical wave of her hand, "why he i.
now, at the very beginning Of the term
away from college-in New York Oh
Newport or some place? Echo an
swers, He's gone to see his girl!
Here comes your venerable young IA
ther!'
President Ellery. white haired and
wrinkled. but vigorous. came toward
them In the path, a cane In one hand
an open letter In the other.
81 have q letter from DR.. Kinross.' v
ne dIluOuHCeu, WuNiuS IL oShOiS ehSAA
bad news! He's resigned. But we
shall not accept his resignation. Well
give him year off and get his promise
to return next fall-with his bride
He's about to be married and intends
to spend a year in travelling with his
wife in Europe and Asia"
1.-THE unfortunate lady's name" In
ouired Daisy. for Georgiana could not
speak.
They waited breathless while Presi'
dent Ellery slowly took out his eye.
glasses, adjusted them and examined
the letter.
"diss Eunice Wolcott."
"Stung again. cried Daisy. totter'
ing.
The two girls walked on, while Pres
ident Ellery r-oceeded in the opposite
direction.