Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-12-24


der had thoughtfully provided. und
over the whole shc threw u napkln.
She was going down the steps when
once more from the same open win.
dow sounded the harsh voice she had
heard before.
"For heavens sake. clear out Of
here. What are you hanging around
fort You've got all my money and
Hester Randall did not whit to hear
nny more. With burning cheeks she
hurried through the gate and away
from the detestable stranger. Not II
the little home abe was working 10
Lard to rctnin should Ike sOld over her
head would she ever sell another par
ticle of her products 10 the morish
mapmaker who lived In the Paige
house.
LET him eat baker's trash." was
Hcster's ultimatmm.
4 few days later she was talking to
Mrs Blake.
"Thnt Mr.. Chandler IL IN old mnn.
isn't her" asked Hester.
"Oh. no: not NJ very Old-lenstways
he don't appear so to me. Hester. His
hair Is gray us Gun be. but he IL 80
pleasant aud bOyish acting seems as II
he was rs young as my Jimmy. De
sets lot of store by your cooking.
You've never met him yet. have you?'
Not exactly" admitted Hester. ave
heard Ills voice. though. and don't see
how anybody can think that's plens
ant"
Now. isn't that the funniest thing!
Everybody thinks his voice tx the incest
thing there * about him."
Il DON'T" suid Hester. with decision
When the following Friday cnme
Hester passed the cottage OF Mr
Chandler with a scornful lift Of her
head. Not for the testy mapmaker
were the tOOthsOme dalnties she had
tol!ed over all day long. What II be
did like pie! She wouldn't make pies
for any man who spoke to her In such
\ manner.
As she prepared for he'd that night
Testers anger nbated little as SHE
thought OF the breadless. cnkeless. pie
less state of Mr.. Chandler. Somehow
she could not reconcile Mrs. Blake's
description Of him Or the boyishly en-
;huSiastic note he hnd written with the
surIy voice which had twice accosted
her from his window.
Saturday was fIester's lazy day. She
rested frum her hard work Of the duy
before aud usually occupied herself
with some light needlewOrk or she read
Il little On this particular Saturday
she was sitting On the front porch. her
never Idle fingers engnged with u bit
Of fancy work. when the gate opened
and Il brisk step sounded on the path
An Instant later tall form lOomed at
the foot OF the steps.
The strunger was handsome man
the handsOnIcst she had ever seen. Hes
ter admitted to herself as she took In
with u swift glance the broad shoul'
ders, the sun tanned cOuntenance light.
ed by deep blue eyes and the crOp Ut
gray hair which mnde him appear
young or old. us opinions might differ.
He smiled and lifted gray cap from
his head.
Miss RnndailY' he inquired iD the
very incest voice Hester bad ever
heurd
YES" replied Hester wOnderlngly.
MY names Chandler. I'm wonder.
ing II you reuIize. Miss Randall. that
I'm simply STRIVING for lack Of your
sustaining gOOdiesY
I'm sorry" faltered Hester. blush
ing.
"Why did you forget met But. there;
I needn't ask that. OF course I'm
your latest customer. and | suppose
you didn't have anything to spare for
me, ehr'
THAT wasn't the reason" returned
Hester, with sudden spirit Il had
plenty Of time to bake for you. Mr..
Chundler, but l don't care to keep
customer who-who talks to me- in
such manner"
"How-hOw-l don't believe under
stand." ytammered Mr.. Chandler In
undoubted bewilderment.
Hester explained. painfully emoar'
rassed ut the amusement mingled with
the concern on his face.
Its that ruscal. Peter" groaned
Mr.. Chandler You see, Miss Randall.
Peter Ii u parrot that belonged to an
nged cousin Of mine. for whom | was
named. When Cousin Philip died he
left me the dandiest collection of ln'
dian relics. with the strict condition
that must personally care for Peter
until be sees fit to shuttle Oh. Now,
ms cousin Philip was something OF Q
hermit. aud see by Peters vocabulary
TINT bis master detested visitors Now
permit me to bring you the III man
nered Peter In order to verify my state
ments."
Hester assured him that she was al
ready satisfied. and after she had en-
joyed a good laugh at her own ex'
'pense she filed the basket OF the
hungry Chandler and sent him away