Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-04-11


g room. where. with q lighted
bracket lamp beside her on the desk.
she labored until 8 o'clock. Then she
put on her coat and hat. extinguished
the light. locked the door ard started
on her lonely walk home.
Miss Dawes was not afraid OF the
dark She had been her own escort for
a good many years She walked brisk
ly on. heard the laughter and loud
voices In the barber shop die away
behind her. passed the schoolhouse
pond. now bleak and chill with the
raw November wind blowing across 1t.
and began To climb the slope Of Whit
takers hill And here the wind. rush.
ips in unimpeded over the flooded salt
meadows from the tumbled bay out
side. wound her skirts about her and
made climbing difficult aud breath
taking
She was perhaps halfway up the
long slope when she heard In the In
tervals between the gusts footsteps
behind her A moment later man's
voice began singing Annie Rooney.
melody then past its prime in the
cities. hut popuarized in Bayport b!
some departed batch of summer board
ers.
She did not recognize the voice, and
she did not particularly approve OF
singing In the streets. especially such
loud singing. So she decided not to
wait longer aud was turning to con
tinue her climb when the person be
hind stopped his vocalizing and called.
Hi" be shouted. Hello. ahead
sherer
The follower broke into run and
vas soon by her side He was stran.
ger to her
"Whee. Vow be painted. This Is
no race truck. pard. Pull up and let's
take It easy My of legs got kink
in 1t. and don't run so easy IA | used
to Great snakes, what's your rush?
Amt you fond Of company? Hello! !
believe IT'S woman-a woman" e1.
cluiried the man hilariously. We'll.
say. | didn't believe there was one
loose In this tall end Of nowhere.
Grille. TN glad to see you no, that
can see you much. but never mind
I'll cats are gray In the dark. hey?
You can't see me. neither. 50 we'll
take each other on trust She's my
sweetheart. I'm her beau Say. Maud.
may see you homer"
She was frightened now. The Whit.
taker place on the hilltop was the
nearest house. and that was some
distance OF.
whats the matter, Carrier inquir-
ed the man. Don't be scared l
wouldn't hurt you I'm just lonesome,
that's all. and / need society. Don't
rush; you'll ruin your complexion.
Here. come under my wing and let's
toddle along together. How's nam.
mar
he seized her arm and pulled her
back beside him She tried to free
herself. but could not Her unwelcoms
escort held her fast. and she was oblig.
ed to move as slowly as he did. It
was very dark
Say, what Is your namer coaxed
the man rs 1t Maud, hey. or Julia!
l always liked Julia Don't be peevish
Tell w: that's good girl"
She gave quick jerk and managed
to pull her arm from his grasp. giving
him a violent push as she did so. He,
being unsteady on his feet. tumbled
down the low bank which edged the
sidewalk Then she ran on up the hill
as fast as she could. She heard him
swear as he fell.
She had nearly reached the end Of
the Whitaker fence when he caught
her. He was laughing. and that alarm.
ed her almost as much as II he had
been angry.
Naughty. naughty" he chuckled.
holding her fast 'Tryin' to sneak,
was you; Not much-not this time!
Did you ever play forfeits when you
was little! Well. this Is forfeit game
and you're It You must bow to the
prettiest. kneel to the wittiest and kiss
the one you love best And I'd let you
off ON the frst two. Come, now! Pay
upr'
Then she screamed and her scream
was answered at once. A gate swung
back with a bang. and she heard some
one running along the walk toward
her.
-Oh, Cap'n Whitaker she called.
Come. Come quick, please"
How she knew that the person run
ming toward her was Captain Cy has
not been satisfactorily explained even
yet. She cannot explain 1t. and neither
can the captain. And equally astonish-
Ing was the latter's answer. &c GER
tainly had not heard her voice often
enough to recognize 1t under such cir.
cumstances.
"All right. teacherr' he shouted. I'm
comm! Let go Of that woman. you
Oh. it's you. Is itT'
He had seized Mr.. Smith by the coat
collar and jerked him away from bis
victim. Miss Dawes took refuge be
hind the captains bulky form. The
two men looked at each other. Smith
| was recovering his breath.
Its you. is 1T" repeated Captain Cy
Then. turning to Miss Phoebe, be ask
ed, Ibid he hurt your
mo. not yet. but he frightened me
dreadfully Who Is he? Do you know
himT'
Her persecutor answered the Ques
tion.
"You bet your life he knows mer' ht
snarled He knows me mighty well
Pard. you keep your nose out Of this
d'you see! You mind your own bust
ness. want goin' to hurt her any"
The captain paid no attention to him
"Yup. / know him." he said grimly
Then he added. pointing toward thi
lighted window Of the house ahead
"You-Smith. you 60 In there and STAY
there! Trot! Don't make me speai
twice"