Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-11-12


to the path leading past the viole
patch. She went down this hurriedly
Her hands were clinched at her sides
her eyes dry and bright her choeki
red flushed and her breath coming
fast When she reached the patch sh'
turned into It and stood looking
around her.
The mosses were dry, the flower
gone, weeds a foot high covered It
She turned away and went on dowr
the path until she was almost In sigh
Of the cabin.
Mrs. Comstock could not understand
why the girl did not hurry to her will
what she would have to tell. sht
went out and wandered around th'
garden. Then she stepped Into thu
path and started back along the way
leading to the woods. past the poo
now framed In a thick letting Of vel
low lilies. Then she saw and stopped
gasping for breath. Her hands few
up, and her lined face grew CHASTITY
She stared at the sky and then at the
PROSTATE girl figure. Over and ovel
she tried to speak. but only wort
came.
Elnora uttered one wild little CRY
and fed into her mothers arms "Oh
mother!' she sobbed ~Wil you evel
forgive mer
Mrs. Comstock's arms swept togeth
er in tight grip around Elnora.
"There isn't a thing on Gods foot
stool from q to lizard won't forgive
you. my precious grill" she said. "Tel
mother what 1t ls."
Elnora lifted her wet face. He told
me-" she painted. "just as soon as be
decently could-that second day b
told me. Almost all bis life he's beer
engaged to a girl at home. He never
cared anything about me. He was
tust interested In the moths and grow
Ing strong"
"Elnora"-the mothers head bent
until the white hair mingled with the
brown-"Elnora. why didn't you tel
me at firstT'
Elnora caught her breath in SHARP
snatch. II know should!" she sob
bed. ~ will bear any punishment fol
not. but l didn't feel as If ! possibly
could. l was afraid"
Afraid of WHAT" the shaking hand
was on the hair again.
Afraid you wouldn't let him GOMEZ
painted Elnora. "And. oh. mother.
wanted him sol"
For the next week Mrs. C0mstock
and Elnora worked so hard there was
no time to talk. and they were com
pclled to sleep from physical e1haus
ton. Elnora took all the dragon files
and butterflies she could, and when she
went over the list for her collection
she found. to her amazement. tha
with Ammon's help she once more had
It complete save q pair Of yellow Em
perors. From every source ut her com
mand she tried to complete the series
with these moths and could not fine
any for Sale
Then came a notification that Elnord
would be compelled to attend weeks
session OF the teachers institute helc
at the county seat twenty miles nortl
of Onabasha the following week. They
went to Onabasha together and pur
chased simple and appropriate fal
suit and hat goods for a dainty little
colored frock and q dress skirt anc
several fancy waists. Margaret Sintor
came down and the sewing began
When everything was finished and
packed Elnora kissed her mother good
by at the depot and the train pulled
out. Mrs. Comstock went to the bant
and inquired for the cashier.
81 want to know just how am hxec
here" she said. The cashier laughed
"Weu, you haven't been In hurry.
he replied. I'VE have been ready fol
'you any time these twenty years. bu
you didn't seem to pay much attention
Your account is rather f0urishing."
Mrs. Comstock sank into chair unt
waited while the cashier read jun
BILE of figures to her. 1t meant tha
her deposits had exceeded her expense:
from 500 to $500 year. according Il
the cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry. but
ter and eggs she had sold The aggre
gate Of these sums had been com
pounding interest throughout the years
Mrs. Comstock stared at the total witt
dazed and unbelieving eyes. Through
her sick heart rushed the realization
that If she merely had stood before
that wicket and asked one question
she would have known that all those
bitter years Of skimping for Elnors
and herself. had been unnecessary
She arose and went back to the depot
81 want to send message" she said
| She picked up the pencil and will
rash extravaganza wrote: "Fount
money ut bank didn't know about. 1
| you want to go to college come on frs
train and get ready" She hesitated
second. and then she said to hersel
grlmly. "Yes. I'll pay for that too
and recklessiy added. with love
Mother" Then she sat waiting for tn
answer. 1t came in less than an hour
"Going to teach this winter. Will
dearest love. Elnora."
| Mrs. Comstook held the message
long time. When she arose she wa
ravenously hungry. but the pain II
her heart was little easier. She wen
to restaurant and got some food
then to q dressmaker. At night sh'
was 30 tired she scarcely could wall
home. but she built fire and cooket
Ind ate q hearty meal.
Later she went out by the west fenc'
and gathered IN armful Of tansy
which she boiled to thick green ten
| Then she stirred In oatmeal until l
was q stifY paste. She spread shee
over her bed and began tearing strip
Of old muslin. She bandaged each han'
and arm with the mixture and plaster
ed the soggy. evil smelling stun In
thick poultice over her face and neck
She was 80 tired she had to sleep, ant
; when she awoke she was half skinned
|, She bathed her face and hands, di'
the work and went back to town, com
Ing home at night to 60 through tn
same process.
i BY the third morning she was
raw, even red; the fourth she had FAD
. ed to a brilliant pink under the sooth