Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-09-05


He choked a little and asked her q
question. "Win you tell me why,
Bessr'
She looked up at him with strange
hardness in her heart. "Do you really
want me to tell your she asked.
"Yes. yes!" he said eagerly.
That's it, Norman Ryder" she flash.
ed. Its your Buffum county twang
and your everlasting 'yes-yes' and no.
no. and you know better too!'
He stared at her, bewildered for
a moment. and as the import Of her
words struck home he Redeemed deeply
and all the tenderness fed from his
eyes. $50 that's the reason" he said
gratingly. "Well. Bess, there's no
chance for me. then, because If you
don't love me enough to overlook a
mere habit Of speech you don't love
me as much us l want you to. I sup
pose l don't shine very brightly COM
pared with the city fellows you've met.
but I've loved you better than anybody
else In the world ever could" he
crammed on bis hat and without an
other word left the house.
Elizabeth stood alone In the parlor,
her eyes fixed In frightened stare on
the closed door. her heart pounding In
unison with Norman's departing steps
on the crisp snow.
1t was bright moonlight, and scores
Of young people were coasting down
the steep hill that ran past the Grays'
home. Elizabeth heard their shouts of
laughter and the frequent warning cry
of "Road!"
The gate crashed into place behind
Normans impatient swing. There was
the roar of coming bobsled. muf-
fed thud and then shouts Of distress.
Elizabeth reached the front gate at
the same time her father and mother
hurried to the same place. drawn by
the sounds of an accident.
Somebody had been run down by the
bobsled-somebody who lay, dark
motonless figure against the whiteness
of the snow. Around his head the
snow was stained crimson that wild
ened and widened horribly.
1t was Norman Ryder, and when
Elizabeth reached his side a little
group of men were lifting him from
the snow.
Bring him into my house." COM
manded Mr.. Gray, leading the way,
and so they carried him across the
doorstep which he had left In anger a
few moments before and bore him up
stairs to the front chamber.
A doctor was summoned, and while
Mrs. Gray prepared bandages and 9TH
er necessaries her husband built a
roaring fire in the fireplace, and Eliza
beth sat cold and numb beside that
still form on the bed. Her hands rig
idly held in place the bag Of Ice her
mother laid on his forehead above the
bandage that covered the deep cut.
Her eyes were fixed on the white set
features and closed lids and the finely
chiseled lips which might part no
more to utter the homely dialect OF
the country which she had despised
and ridiculed.
She could not weep. She could only
sit there. q miserable, heartbroken lit
tie figure. hating herself for her CEN
serious words.
The doctor came and waved her
aside. For an hour he worked over
the young man, while Elizabeth sat in
her own room breathless and despair
ing. Then at last she heard him 60
ing away. and instantly she was at
the door of Norman's room. Her
mother smilingly beckoned her within
and left them alone together.
Norman, looking very pale, his head
Bwathed in bandages, did not see her
come In. For a moment she stood
there looking down at him with her
heart in her eyes.
Suddenly he looked up at her, smil.
ing whimsically in the old way, as he
had been used to do before she told
him the unpleasant, truths. he had
looked that way when he was a boy
growing up and she was little girl
| trotting to school beside him.
doctor says I'll be all right In
day or So" he smiled. "But I'll have
to keep still. You don't mind my be-
ing here In your house, do you. Bess?"
mo, mop she cried. dropping uncon,
sciously into the vernacular Of Buffum
county. She slipped to her knees be-
side the bed and leaned her sunny
head against his shoulder.
Norman quivered and then laid one
hand on her head. "Oh. Bess! You
don't mean 1t! Do you love meY' he
whispered.
"Yes. yes!" sobbed Elizabeth. And
to them both 1t was the sweetest word
In the world.
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