Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-05-02

ping umbrella In his hand, entered the
sitting room.
Hello. Whit" he hailed. "Just rur
in for a minute to say howdy." Their
he noticed the schoolmistress. and his
expression changed "Oh! How bs
you. Miss Dawes" he said. II didn't
see you fust of. Don't run away or
my account"
II was just going" said Phoebe. but
toning her jacket Captain Cy accom-
panied her to the door.
"Goodby." she said. There wal
something else meant to say. but
think 1t is best to wait hope tc
have some good news for you soon,
something that will send you to Wash
tngton with a light heart Perhaps
shall blair tomorrow. If so I will call
after school and tell you"
Eyes. do," urged the captain eager
ly. you'll find me here waitin'. Good
news or not. do come. IL amt said
all wanted to myself"
He returned to the sitting room.
The town clerk was standing by the
stove. He looked troubled.
whats the row. Ase" asked Cy
cheerily. He was overflowing with
Iood nature.
"Oh. nothin' special" replied Mr..
Tidditt. "You look joyful enough for
two Of US. Had good company. amt
your
"Why. yes: bout as good as there is.
What makes you look 50 glum?"
Asaph hesitated.
"Phoebe was here yesterday, too,
want she" he asked.
"Yup. What Of it?"
"And the day afore that"
mo, not for three days afore that.
But what Of it. ask your"
"Well. now. Cy, you mustn't get mad.
I'm a friend Of yours. and friends
ought to be able to say mos: anything
to each other. If-if was you !
wouldn't let Phoebe come so often
not here, you know, at your house.
Course / know she comes with Bos'n
and all. butt
"Out with it!' The captains tone
was ominous. what are you drivin'
at"
The caller fidgeted.
"Well. Whit" he stammered, there's
considerable talkin' goin' on. that's ALL
"Talkin'? What kind Of talkin'"
well. you know the kind. This
town does good deal Of it. specially
after church and prayer meetin'.
SEEMS If they thought twas sort OF
proper place. don't myself. kind
Of lik I to keep my charity and brother
" love spread out through the week.
BUT
"Ase, are the folks in this town say
in word against Phoebe Dawes be-
cause she comes here to see-Bos'nT
"Don't-don't get mad. Whit. Don't
look ut me like that. amt said moth
in. Why. q spell ago at the boardin'
house ~
He told Of tho meal at the perfect
boarding house, where Miss Dawes
championed his friends cause; also OF
the conversation which followed and
his own part In it. Captain Cy paced
the floor.
81 wouldn't have her come so often.
Cy." pleaded Asaph. honest l
wouldn't. Course you and me know
they're mean. miser'ble liars, but it's
her I'm thinkin' of. She's a young
woman and single. and you're a good
many years older'n she Is. And so. OF
course. you and she amt ever goin' to
get married. And have you thought
what effect 1t might have on her keep
In her teachers place? The commit
tees a majority against her as IT'S
And-you know l don't think so. but n
good many folks do-you amt got the
best name just now. Darn It all, |
amt putin this the way Id ought to.
but you know what l mean. don't you.
Cy?
Captain Cy was leaning against the
window frame. his head upon his arm.
He was not looking out. because the
shade was drawn. Tidditt waited anx-
iously for him to answer. At last he
turned
"Ase," he said. I'm much obliged to
YOU. You've pounded 1t In pretty hard
but | callate I'd ought to have had
II done to me. I'm fool-an old fool.
lust as I said awhile back-and moth
in nor nobody ought to have made me
forget It. For u minute or 50 l. But
there; don't you fret. That young wo'
man shan't risk her job nor her repu'
tation on account Of me-nor Of Bos'n,
either. I'll see to that. And. see here
he added fiercely, II can't stop wom-
ems tongues. even when they're as bad
as some of the tongues In this town.
but II you hear a man say one word
against Phoebe Dawes. only one word,
you tell me his name. You hear. Ase1
You tell me his name. Now run along.
will you? amt safe company just
now"
Asaph, frightened at the effect Of his
words. hurriedly departed. Captain Cy
paced the room for the next fifteen
minutes; then he opened the kitchen
door.
"Bos'n," he called. "come in and set
in my lap awhile Don't you want to!
rm-rm sort of lonesome. little girl"
The next afternoon. when the school
mistress. who had been delayed by the
inevitable examination papers. stop
ped at the Cy Whitaker place she was
met by Georgianna. Emily. who stood
behind the housekeeper In the door
way. was crying.
"Cap'n Cy has gone away. to Wash
in'ton," declared Georgianna. though
what he's gone there fors more'n !
know. He said he'd send bis hotel
address soon's he &C: there. he went
on the 8 o'clock train"
Phoebe was astonished.
"Gone?" she repeated $50 soon!
Why. he told me he should certainly
be here to hear some news l expected
today. Didn't he leave any message
for meT'
The housekeeper turned red
miss Phoebe" she said. "he told me
to tell you somethin'. and It's SO dread
full l don't hardly dast to say It ]
think his troubles have driven him
crazy. he said to tell you that you'd
better not come to this house any