Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-02-16

GROSSLY. for l was tired Of having con
versations like that. And l though
that I would be having much more fur
with some one else. for what is thu
good Of wearing mask II you an
only to talk with people you know?
"There's something else I'd grea
deal sooner cali you," he half whis
pered. "Come into this little del
where the fountain Is and the Orange
trees. and let me tell you"
81 don't want to know" said.
"Yes, you do. Come along. anyhow
and I'll pick you an orange. Perhap:
thereIl be something nice inside It
like there was in the toad's head"
wasn't to be bribed In that way
but he took hold Of my hand and
pulled, so that I had to 60 with hin
unless wished to resist and be silly
Several people were coming toward US
around the twist Of the path, and ono
tall man ahead of the others, dressed
very plainly like Puritan, was look
ing hard at us. Rather than make q
scene I went quietly with Potter, but
as soon as he had whisked me into the
little dell with the orange trees and
the fountain, he pushed one Of the
trees and 1t moved forward in O
groove, so as to block up the entrance
and hide the dell from any one who
walked along the path.
"Thats not bad trick, Is itf" said
he. 81 had that arranged on purpose.
"On purpose for what?" was silly
enough to ask.
"To bring you here and get you tt
myself. This is Betty's bower. bu
nobody knows 1t except you and me-"
With that he pulled off his mask ant
made as If he would help me to do thu
same with mine. but l stepped bacl
and almost tumbled over into the fOun
tain. Perhaps | would II he hadn
caught me round the waist, but In
stead of letting 60 when he hat
steadied me on my feet he drew me
closer to him. l gave a twist and 6
little angry cry, and just then. to my
10y, some one from outside pushed the
orange tree back in its groove so a:
to leave an opening again.
/ darted out and caught glimpse OF
the tall Puritan man, who was appar
emily engaged in pulling the tree for
ward so as to close the gap and shut
Potter in.
1t was 80 quick that l hardly had
time to understand whether 1t was
being done for my sake or not, but
didn't stop to think; simply ran.
met harlequins and queens, kings and
columbines hunting in couples (the
green alleys were only broad enough
for two), but l pushed by them and
went fitting down path after path
though voices called after me and peo'
pie pretended 10 snlver with cold q!
Frost passed.
Then, suddenly, II think this Is
way out" said voice knew, speak
ing just behind me 1t was the voice
Of my brown man. l could have recog
nized it among thousands. But whei
l looked it was the tall figure Of the
gray Puritan who had helped me tt
get away from Potter Parker.
/ didn't answer word, not even t.
say Thank you" or us this really
you. Mr.. Brett?" just went in thu
direction be said. and in another min
ute | was out under the Italian per
COLA. draped with roses and wistaria
that runs for long way overlooking
the sea. Then glanced over my
shoulder. and he was there, but hesi
tating as il he hadn't decided whether
to come with us or go back.
When saw this did stop and mum
BILE In a low voice. ut is you. isn't 1t
Mr.. Brett?"
"Yes," he answered. II hope you
forgive me-"
"Oh. thank you," said |. "l-want
ed to come away. But how did yor
kHOW tHdl-dnu uoW uiu Soo nuo"
me?''
81 couldn't help seeing that you
were being pretty well forced to dc
something you didn't want to do" he
replied. coming a few steps nearer
and there seemed to be nobody undel
the pergola except just us two 81
don't suppose had any right to be
angry at seeing that happen, but
was. So I did what did Oh the spul
OF the moment. As for recognizing
you-I-well, you're rather tall. yor
know. and have way Of holding YOU
head that-that isn't easily forgotten.
"I'm sorry I'm so badly disguised
| said, laughing. "But I'm glad yol
knew me. Pm so glad. too, that In
out here. began to have--quite
stified feeling. How lovely 1t is II
this pergola. isn't It? Do you thinl
We might walk for few minutes
and get cool?"
"May | walk with your" he asked II
a humble sort Of way that gave me {
funny little pain in my heart.
"Please do" said quickly. and a!
cordially as | could-far more cordially
than would have spoken to any maj
In Mrs. Ess Kay's set. "Its nice t.