Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-02-25

mad little experience Of life II (and 1t
was large lf) the sudden reaction
from life Of self abnegation to one Of
power and luxury did not make ber
selfish.
He was puzzled at the Indifference
she manifested when he tried to draw
her into any talk Of her prospective
new life. Not Indifference only; it
seemed actually to make her sad. One
would suppose she would delight in
dwelling upon the glories that awaited
her. Had she not eXtolled in her out
burst to Abe her freedom to roam at
large "o'er all this scene of man?"
"What is it?" he suddenly questioned
her. Does your heart fail you at the
strangeness Of it all? But a girl that
can brave ghost ought to have cOur-
age to cope with mere mortals."
She did not reply.
think Of It." he urged, "the world
is before you, with youth, wealth,
freedom, and" Should he put the idea
into her unspoied mind Y-"and you're
not bad looking, either, Eunice, and
that means lot to woman"
She lifted her dropping head and
scanned him from head to foot. He,
too, was not bad looking.
"Does 1t mean more to woman than
to a man?"
ITS everything to a woman. A
man-only so he hasn't hump" he
shrugged.
"Do you mean that is your opinion,
or only the opinion Of the worldY
He smiled. "The mere world-as
over against me? fear you exagger-
ate the Importance Of my opinions.
Well, l never seriously asked myself
the question before; but, now that it's
put to me, yes, l do think good looks
essential to a woman. Why, natural
lyw
Essential? Essential to whatT
"To her being interesting and attrac.
tive"
At least suppose you know"
ooh, Of course when woman is a
genius"
"The Greeks thought manly beauty
not the feminne-the highest type
She was such combination, he in
wardly smiled, Of ignorance and learn
Ing
"Oh, but the Greeks! That was
awhile back already, as Pop Morning.
star would say"
"Mere prettiness seems to me Of lit
tie moment"
ut is That isn't what I mean. But
woman must be interesting looking,
not guy. She must be pleasing"
"You mean In order to attract the
| male?'
He couldn't help 1t. He bent back
| his head and laughed. "You think that
of little moment. too!' he asked, quick
ly sobering as he met her astonish-
ment. But" he shrugged again. 'it
seems to be what they're ali occupied
in doing"
"Are they?" she ASKED IA the wistful
way she had of appealing to him.
ut is pitiable. suppose. But, then,"
he lifted his eyebrows. "wliat would
you have them be at?"
"Your Georgiana would prefer. she
told me. the career Of n student and a
| teacher rather than domestic life"
"My GeorganaT' he repeated in con
sternation. Now, why, may ] inquire.
do you call her mine"
"You said you loved her" she an
swcred family. her eyes o. The ground.
"Oh." he nodded. enli@!t"nad. That
| frivolous remark of his had evidently
given her much food 20" speculation
Would he better tell her he'd Only been
fooling? But she wouldn't understand
or see the point (what was the point
anyway0. AMI somehow he felt III
awkwardness In explaining to her thai
he had lied 70 her. \ more pointieSs
Joke he had surely never pe"p"tTn;ed,
"Georgiana deceives herself" ne
said. "Gcorgiana would like TO be
fallen In love with, just Ike Ollie or
any other girl. You'll like II yourself
some day. Eunice. See If you don't
"You think Miss Ellery Is all thos.
things you admire-'interesting look
ing not n guy pleasing"
Don't you think she isT'
81 think her beautiful and graceful
"Of course she Is.
Her head went little lower rs she
walked at his side for moment with
out speaking.
"Are you afraid of your future, Eu
nice?" he persisted.
A faint color came into her face
zone thing am afraid Of" she softl!
answered. "Of n loneliness worse than
have ever known"
"That may be for little while. But
It will pass. You will find compan
ion In your aunt. You will make
friends too And after awhile inevita'
bly,, there will be lover. or. rather
lovers"
"You think my aunt will like me"
she asked uncertainty.
"How can she help it?'
"You think | am, then. likeablc"
81 like you."
"Oh," she caught her breath. do
you"
He felt himself stirred by the soft
thrill In her voice. But in some re-
spects lie was the stupidest Of even his
stupid sex, and he did not realize the
emotion her words and tone expressed.
"And If liked you" he tried to EN-.
courage her, you'll get on with other
people. I'm not considered n lamb
So don't you fancy you're going to be
lonely"
"But-shall lever see you?'
Surely" He felt touched by her
helpless. chidlike turning to him, her
first and only friend. Il often 90 to
New York and Washington. where
your aunt spends her winters usually
But" he added, Il touch OF pathoS IN
his tone "you will soon learn to get
on without me, though seem so neces-
sary to you now"
She made no comment, not even
polite protest.
You afford Inc many pleasant sur
prises, Eunice," he suddenly remarked.
knocking some brambles from her
pathway with his cane. The gallantry.
instructive and unthinling with him,
but understandable to her only through
books. thrilled her I'm a way that
would have amazed him II he had
dran mod 0f IL