Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-02-28
for the Frost weddin' most as good as

riedly-'nevertheless 1t was awfully
good Of you to fix up 80. That GER
tainly is fine piece Of goods, Miss
Martha. 1t will show up splendidly in
the photograph"
He rambled on thus, hardly realiz-
ing what he said, anxious only to
cover the bitter disappointment that
was written on Miss Binley's face so
clearly that he felt 1t must be evident
to ALL
"'Twarn't the least bit Of trouble"
insisted Martha. I'VE really enjoyed
fixin' things over, didn't we, Phoebe"
Holbrook was wondering how long
his powers Of invention would stand
the strain when, after a brief and-to
him-uncomfortable pause. Miss Mar
tha suggested timidly, We're all
ready, miss. any time you say"
To Holbrook's intense relief this ap-
peal brought Miss Binley to sense
Of the situation. "Oh, yes" she said.
rather wildly, "your clothes are beau
tiful. I'm going to send you each
dozen prints so that you can have
plenty to give your friends"
Declining hospitable invitation to
stop for a smack and cup of tea"
the girl and the young man somehow
got through their farewells and walk
ed away over the hill. leaving the
wearled but thoroughly delighted old
ladies gazing after them from their
station by the front gate. In silence
Holbrook lugged the camera. and
without word Miss Binley trudged
beside him until the old house and its
grotesquely clad occupants were hid
den by the bend In the road. Then
the girl said:
would you mind sitting here in the
shade minute? l really believe I'm
bit tired
Immediately the youth was all unI-
ious inquiry and suggestion:
1T must have been the sun. You
have to be careful In these mountains.
If you don't mind waiting here alone
for couple Of minutes III hurry back
and see II the old ladies won't lend
me some kind Of a rig to drive you
back to the hotel. or maybe you'll let
me carry you back to their house"
Don't be ridiculous" ordered Miss
Binley. with slightly hysterical
laugh. There isn't thing the mat
ter with me-" Then, noting his amaze
ment. she burst out desperately: I'm
just fearfully disappointed. that's all.
I don't believe l ever was SO disap-
pointed before In my life. But that's
only part. I'm horribly ashamed Of
myself. too-even more ashamed than
disappointed. Oh. l believe I'm the
meanest girl In the whole state OF
New Hampshire"
"Why-er-er''- he started to pro-
test.
"Don't pretend you don't compre-
hend," she interrupted. You're asham-
ed Of me too. You know you are.
No; let me fnish." she insisted. when
he made as II to deny. "The worst OF
adj is that even now. when ! under
stand how mean and selfish II Is to feel
so, I'm Just overwhelmed with disap
pointment still You can't understand
nobody could but al artist. My
heart was set on a picture OF those
dear old things in their delicious work
ing clothes. And when l saw how
they had gone and spoiled everything
I felt so badly didn't even want to
conceal it,
Holbrook gazed with awe and quick
ening heartbeat upon new and
holier divinity-with quivering lips and
dewy lashes. irresistible In her sweet
repentance. In another moment he
was on his knees on the grass beside
her. Without hesitation. naturally as
II he had done It as often as he had
dreamed Of doing It. his arm slipped
about her. Just as naturally her head
somehow found comfortable place OIL
his shoulder. Her hat fell of. and he
kissed her shining hair.
Il do understand" he whispered.
although there was none but the noun.
tains to listen. "I understand. dear.
I may be IN ignoramus about photog-
raphy and art. but I'm mighty well
acquainted with Tommy Holbrook.
and I know he knows that you're the
sweetest. most unselfsh. most What
want to say is that want to make
carrying your camera my life job"
he concluded desperately.
Miss Binley sat suddenly erect. An
answer lowered on her lips. but faded
into a smile as she picked up black.
leather covered object from the grass
beside her and placed 1t in Holbrook's
hands.