Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-08-10

The horror was closing fast around
the other party, and they simply
stared.
do not trouble for me-" observed
the German. Your young people
they have q villa"
mo" answered Pike. with smile
They're right here In this hOtel."-
Horace. with fear lending wings to
his scattered senses, sprang to his feet
and began to walk toward bhe grove
Pike looked up.
I'D better ask" he said. and then.
observing Horace. went on addressing
him: Hey. there! Can you He
stared as the young man. paying no
attention. proceeded on his way. Pike
raised his voice.
Excuse me. son. amt you an Amer
lean" As Horace paid no more ntten-
ton he turned to Mariana. Here.
waiter! Tell that gentleman want to
speak to him.
Mariana sprang after the retreating
Horace.
Pardon, m'sieu. the gentleman. he
wish to speak to you"
Horace whirled In an angry fash.
What gentleman he demanded.
and Pike regarded him calmly.
81 thought from your looks" he pro.
reeded q,N.tly. you might be al
American"
Horace planted himself squarcly be
fore his interrogation.
"Are you speaking to me!" he de
manded haughtily.
81 shouldn't be surprised" said likt
genially. "Ain't you an American"
." happen to have been born in the
States" replied Horace aggressively
and Pike smiled qulzzically.
"Well, that was luck" he comment
ed. and as Horace turned again to 90
he said: Hold on minute. I'm look
Ing for some Americans here, and
expect you know 'em-boy and girl
named Simpson"
Horace flushed deeply to the roots OF
his hair.
"Is there any possibility you mean
Granger.Slmpson?" he asked. with
elaborate sarcasm. but this was lost
ON Daniel.
mo, sir: just plain Simpson. Gran
gers their middle name. That's for
old Jed Granger. grandfather on their
mothers side. | want to see 'em both
but it's the girl I'm really looking for y
"Will you be good enough to state
any possible reason why Miss Granger
Simpson should see youT and Pike
started in genuine astonishment.
Reason he reiterated. why. yes
I'm her guardian"
The effect of this simple statement
was terrifying Ethel reeled dizzily
and was supported by Nine. de Cham
pigny. The earl rose to his feet, and
Horace staggered back.
what" he cried.
"Yes, SIR" went on Pike-"Daniel
Voorhees, Pike, attorney at law. Koko
mo. Ind"
Horace fell back from him In horri
fed amazement.
81 shall ask her." he began weakly
and hamefacedly. III she will consent
to an interview"
Pike looked at him in amazement In
bis turn.
Interview he said. "Why. want
to talk to herr
Hawcastle. with some Of his fnei
feelings aroused. picked up his sister
in.law with his eyes. much as clever
hostess picks up her feminine guests al
dinner. and arose. turning to Ethel.
This shall make no difference to us
my child" he said and, turning sharp
ly. took Lady Creech by the arm ant
left the terrace. Pike looked at Hor
ace pityingly.
Don't you understand" he said
Pm her guardian!"
For q fieeting instant Horace stared
ut him and then dropped his chin ant
walked away.
81 shall never hold up my heat
again." he said.
The sudden horror Of the revelation
that Horace had drawn forth bore
down upon Ethels mind with crush
ing weight.
To her artificialized understanding
| the disgrace was more than she coulC
| ever hope to bear, and HOrace's ex
pressed thought that he should never
be able to hold up his head again was
but q viviication Of her own.
Surely It would have been bat
enough. she told herself, II this fearfu
thing had come upon them privately
but to have It appear In the full ligh
Of day and in the very hearing of TIN
family of the man she was about t.
marry was too cruel.
And with an inward groan she leaned
for a moment against the terrace wal
where the countess had left her. Whel
the first astonishment had passed ant
she had time to realize what had Oc
Cured, events that had seemed bu
heeting Impressions rose up before he
In all their vivid nakedness. Nine. d.
Champlgny had looked at her Will
astute contempt, she WAS sure, and sh
dimly remembered seeing the look o
horriied amazement upon the patricial
features of the Earl Of Hawcastle.
Then, with an awakened resentment
the lighting blood Of the sturdy plebe
ian Simpson stock. the stock that ha'
upheld Its end In the battle agains
oppression In several wars. came bacl
to her with a rush. and she decided t
see this awful man and give him t
understand that he must 30 away a
once and never insult her again b,
his uncouth and vulgar presence. Sucl
business rs had to be transacted coul'
be done through an intermediary.
With q bracinR Of her spirit sh