Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-05-23

You can't thank her enough. Herel
What are you aboutr
Captain Cy strobe past him into the
dining room. The hat rack hung on
the wall by the side door. He snatch.
ed bis cap from the peg and was strus'
Cling into his -orercoat.
where are you goingr' demanded
the lawyer. You mustn't attempt to
walk now. You need rest"
REST! I'll rest by and by. Just now
rve-got business to attend to. Let 80
Of that pea jacket"
"But"A
"No butts about It. III see you later.
SO long"
He threw open the door and hurried
down the walk. The lawyer watched
him in amazement Then slow smile
overspread hts face.
Captain he called. Captain Whit
takerw
Captain Cy looked back over bis
shoulder. what do you wantw he
asked
Mr.. Peabody's face was now intense,
" solemn, but there was twinkle In
his eye.
Il think she's at the boarding house"
he said demurely. "I'm pretty certain
you'll find her there"
All the regulars at the perfect board
ing house had, Of course, attended the
reception at the Cy Whitaker place.
None Of them, with the exception Of
the schoolmistress, had as yet return
ed. Dinner had been forgotten in the
excitement Of the great day. and Ketu-
rah and Angeline and Mrs. Trip had
stopped In at various dwellings along
the main road to compare notes on the
captains appearance and the Atkins
address. Asaph and Bailey and Al
pheus Smalley were at Simmons.
Captain Cy knew better than to at
tempt his hurried trip by way Of the
road. He had no desire to be held up
and congratulated. He went across
lots, in the rear of barns and orchards.
wading through drifts and climbing
fences as no sane couyalescent should.
But the captain at that moment was
suffering from the form Of insanity
known as the fixed idea. She had done
all this for him-for him. And his last
message to her had been m insult.
He approached the Bangs property
by the stable lane. No one locks doors
in our village. and those Of the perfect
boarding house were unfastened. He
entered by way Of the side porch, just
as he had done when Gabe Lumley's
depot wagon first deposited him In
that yard. But now he entered on tip
toe. The dining room was empty. He
peeped into the sitting room. There
by the center table sat Phoebe Dawes.
her elbow on the arm Of her chair and
her head resting on her hand.
"Ahem! Phoebe! said Captain Cy.
She started. turned and saw him
standing there. Her eyes were wet,
and there was q handkerchief In her
lap.
"Phoebe." said the captain anxiously.
''have you been cryin'?"
She rose on the instant. A great
wave Of red swept over her face. The
handkerchief fell to the floor. and she
stopped and picked 1t up.
"Cryingw she repeated confusedly.
"Why. no. Of eourse-of course not!
I-how do you do, Captain Whitaker
rm-we're all very glad to see you
home again-and we'll"
She extended her hand. Captain Cy
reached forward to take It. Then he
hssitated.
~ don't think I'd ought to let you
shake hands with me, Phoebe" he
said-'not until beg your pardon"
BEG my pardon! Why"
He absently took the hand and held
It
"For the word l sent to you when
went away. Twas an awful thing to
say, but I meant 1t for your sake. you
know. Honest, / did"
She laughed nervously.
"Oh. thatr' she said. "Well, / did
think you were rather particular as to
your visitors. But Mr.. Tidditt ex-
planned, and then You needn't beg
my pardon. I appreciate your thought
fulness. knew you meant to be kind
10 me-"
"That's what did. But you didn't
obey orders. You kept comm. Now.
Why
"why? Did you suppose that
cared for the malicious gossip Of
such people? I came because you
were In trouble. and hoped to help
you. And-and l thought I had helped
until few minutes ago."
Her lip quivered. That CULVER went
to the captains heart.
"Helped?" he faltsred. Helped?
Why, you've done so much that can't
ever thank you. You've been the only
real helper I've had in all this misor-
able business. You've stood by mo all
through"
But It was all wrong. he isn't the
man at all. Didn't Mr.. Peabody tell
your
"Yes, yes, he told me. What differ
ence does that make? Peabody be
hanged! He amt In this. It's you
and NEEDN'T you sect What made
you do all this for meT
She looked at the hoor and not at
him as she answered.
"Why. because wanted to help
you," she said. "I've been alone In the
Il @)