Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-11-29
Was II really murderT'

drunk-hc was a drinking man-then
they stabbed him. They said China
man did II in brawl, but Willis
Marsh was to blame. They brought
the poor fellow here and laid him on
my steps. as II I had been the cause
Of 1t. Oh. 1t was horrible, horrible!"
"And you still stuck to your post"
said Emerson curiously.
Certainly! This adventure means
great deal to me. and, besides, ! will
not be beaten" the stem Of the glass
with which she had been toying snap
ped suddenly-"at anything"
The unsuspected luxury Of the din
Ing room and the excellence Of the din
ner itself had in measure prepared
Emerson for what he found In the liv-
ing room. One thing staggered him-a
piano. The bearskins on the door. the
big sleepy chairs, the reading table lit
tered with magazines, the shelves OF
books, even the basket Of fancy work
all these be could accept without fur
ther parleying. but piano-in Kalyik!
Again Boyd withdrew into that 81.
lent mood from which no effort on the
part of his hostess could arouse him.
and 1t soon became apparent from the
listless hang Of his hands and the dis
tant light in his eyes that he had even
become unconscious of her presence in
the room.
After an hour. during which Emer-
SOD barely spoke. she tired Of Fraser's
anecdotes, which had long ceased to
be amusing. aud. going to piano, shut
fed the sheet music idly. inquiring:
do you care for music" Her re-
mark was aimed at Emerson. but the
other answered: MY favorite hymn
is the Maple Leaf Rag Let her go.
professor"
Cherry settled herself obligingly and
played ragtme. She was In the midst
of some syncopated measure when
Boyd spoke abruptly. please play
something"
began really TO play, realizing very
soon that at least one Of her guests
knew and loved music. Under her
deft fingers the instrument became a
medium for musical speech. Cay
roundelays, swift, passionate Hunga-
rian dances, bold Wagnerian strains
followed In quick succession. and the
more her utter abandon the more GER
tainly she felt the younger man re-
spond Then her dream filed eyes
widened as she listened to his voice
breathing life into the words. He sang
with the ease and 1eXibility OF an
artist. his powerful baritone blending
perfectly with her contralto.
For the first time she felt the mans
personality. his magnetism. as II he
had dropped his cloak and stood at her
side In his true semblance
oh thank you" she breatlied
.'Tlauk YOU" he said. ''l-l-thats $
the first time in ages that I've had the
heart TO sing. | WAS hungry for mu-
sic; was starving for 1t. I've sat in
my cabin at night longing for 1t until
my soul fairly ached with the silence.
He took u seat near the girl and con-
tinued to talk feverishly. unable to
give voice to his thoughts rapidly
enough.
Fraser ambled clumsily Into the con-
yersation. Emerson listened tolerant
ly, idly running through the maga-
zines at his hand. his hostess watch
ing him coverlly. Suddenly the smile
of amusement that lurked about his
LID corners and gave him u pleasing
look hardened in n queer fashion lie
started, then stared at one or the
pages. while the color died out OF his
brown cheeks. Cherry saw the hand
that held the magazine tremble. lie
looked up at her and. disregarding
Fraser. broke In harshly:
Have you read this magazine"
Not entirely"
I'D like TO take one page OF It,
why, certainly" she replied.
He produced knife and with one
quick stroke cut single leaf out OF
the magazine. which he folded and
thrust into the breast Of his coat
Thank you." he muttered. then fell
to staring ahead Of him. again heed
less of his surroundings. This abrupt
relapse into his former state OF sullen
and defiant silence tantalized the girl
He offered no explanation and took
no further part In the conversation
until. noting the lateness OF the hour
he rose and thanked her for her hos
pitality In the same deadly. Indifferent
manner.
"The music was great treat he
said. looking beyond her and holding
aloof. n very great treat ] enjoyed
1t Immensely. Good night.
Cherry Malotte had experienced a
new sensation. and she didn't like 1t.
She vowed nngriy that she disl!ked
men who looked past her. Indeed. SHE
could not recall any other who hau
ever done so. Her chief concern had
always been TO check their ardor. she
resolved vlciously that before she was
through with this young man he would
make her less llstless adieu. She as
sured herself that he was Il selfish. sui
len boor. Who needed to be taught
lesson I'm manners for his own good II
for nothing else. She darted to the tn
Bile. snatched up the magazine and
skinned through il feverishly. All
here WAS the place!
4 woman's face with some meaning
less name beneath filed each page
Along the top ran the heading, ia
nous American Beauties" So 1t was
woman. She skipped backward and
forward among the pages for further
possible enlightenment. but there was
no article accompanying the pictures
II was merely an illustrated section
devoted to the photographs OF prom
nent actresses and society women
most OF whom she had never heard OF
though here and there she saw a name
that was familiar In the center was
that tantalizingly clean cut edge whicf
had subtracted face from the gal
lery-a face which she wanted very
much to see.
She shrugged her shoulders careless
ly Theu. in sudden access OF fury
she flung the mutilated magazine Vi
ciously into IL far corner Of the room.
The travellers slept late on the fol
lowing morning. for the WEAKNESS o.
weeks was upon them. and the littl'