Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-02-21

renewed. II WIS 10 IL hS L"o c>>
freed of burden. and this caused him
vague uneasiness. Was 1t because
he was tired by the struggle for TINS
girl for whom he had labored so
faithfully? After three years OF un'
tagging devotion was he truly relieved
to have her dismiss him? Or was II
that here in this primal country. strip
ned of all conventions. he saw her ana
himself In q new light? He did not
know
The late twilight was fading when
Mildred came from her stateroom
She found Boyd pacing the deck.
cigar between his teeth.
"Where are those peoples" she IN
quired
"aThey went ashore. Marsh doesn't
care to press a charge against the In
dian"
II hear he is not badly hurt. after
ALL"
That is true. But it was close
shave"
Mildred shuddered. ut was hor
ribler'
81 never dreamed that Constantine
would do such Il thing. but he Is more
Russian than Aleut. and both he and
his sister are completely under the
spell of the priest. They are intensely
religious. and their idea Of damnation
is very vivid"
Have you seen fatherY'
I'VE had a short talk"
"Did you make up"
mo. But think he is beginning to
understand things better-at least as
far as Marsh Is concerned. The resi-
Is only n matter Of time"
What frightful situation! Why
did you ever let father announce my
engagement to that man"
Emerson gazed at her in astonish
ment. II? Pardon me! How could
l help it?"
You might have avoided quarrelin2
with him. think you are very incon
siderate of me-"
Boyd regarded the coal Of his cigar
with a slight gieam Of amusement In
his eyes as she ran on:
Even that woman took occasion to
humillate me In the worst possible
way"
ut strikes me that she did you n
very great service. ! have no doubt
It was quite as distasteful to her as to
you"
Absurd. 1t was her chance for re
venge. and she rejolced In making me
ridiculous"
"Then 1t Is the first ignoble thing
ever knew her to do" said Boyd slow
ly. "She has helped me In a hun
dred ways. Without her assistance
could never have won through. That
cannery site would still be grown up
to moss and trees. and I would still
be disheartened dreamer"
Its very nice Of you. Of course, to
appreciate what she has done. But
she can't help you any more. You
surely don't intend to keep up your ac-
ouaintance with her now." He made
no reply. and. taking his silence for
agreement, she went on: "The trip
home will be terribly dull for me, I'm
afraid. think-yes, shall have "a
ther ask you to 60 back with u.s."
but am right in the midst Of the
looun tho hftcfno2a6
"Oh. business! Do you care more
for business than for me7 I don't
think you realize how terribly hard for
me all this has been. I'm still fright
ened. shall die Of nervousness with
out some one to talk to-"
Tt's quite impossibleI I-dont want
to go back now."
Indeed! And no doubt 1t was I'M
possible for you to come out here last
night for the same reason"
ut was. The fish struck In and l
could not leave"
at was that woman who kept your!
cried Mildred. ut Is because Of her
that you refuse to leave this country"
"Please don't" he said quietly. u
have never thought Of her In that
way
''Then come away from this wretch
ed place. detest the whole country
the fisheries. the people. everything.
This isn't your proper sphere. Why
| not come away now, at once. and Do
gin something new. something worth
while"
"Do you realize the hopes. the heart
aches, the vital effort I have put into
this enterpriseT' he questioned.
But she only said:
"I don't like It. 1t isn't nice busi'
ness. Let father take the plant over
II you need money. have plenty
"Wait!' he interrupted sharply. Isl,
down. / want to talk to you" He
drew the wrap closer about her shout
ders and led her to deck chair. INT
change In him was becoming more ap
parent He knew now that be hac
never felt the same since his first meet
Ing with Mildred upon the arrival o.
the Grande Dame. Even then she hat
repelled him by her lack Of sympathy
She had shown no understanding o.
his efforts, and now she revealed al
complete a failure to grasp bis code o
honor. 1t never occurred to her tina
any loyalty Of man to man could on
set her simple will. She did not se'
that his desertion Of George would b.
nothing short Of treachery.
| It seemed to him all ut once tina
they had little in common. She wa
wrapped completely in the web OF he
own desires. ahe would make her preau