Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-02-13


| " Joan waiting at the com
pound gate, and he coul'
not fail to see that she was visibl,
gladdened at the sight Of him.
81 can't tell you how glad I am t
see you" was her greeting. what
become of Tudor? That last flutter o
the automatic wasn't nice to lister
to. Was it you or Tudor?"
$50 you know oil about It," he an
swered coolly. "W'ell, it was Tudor
but he was doing it left handed. He'
down with hole in his shoulder" 81
looked at her keenly. Disappointing
isn't it?" he drawled.
"How do you mean?"
why. that l didn't kill him."
but I didn't want him killed jus
because he kissed me-" she cried!
"Oh. he did kiss you." Sheldon re
torted In evident surprise. Il though
you said he hurt your arm"
Zone could call 1t kiss, though l
was only on the end of the nose" Sh'
laughed at the recollection. But
paid him back for that myself.
boxed his face for him. And he dit
hurt my arm. It's black and blue
Look at it."
She pulled up the loose sleeve OF he
blouse, and he saw the bruised Inn
prints of two fingers.
Just then a gang Of blacks came ou
| from among the trees, carrying tn
wounded man OH rough stretcher.
Romantic. isn't it? Sheldon sneered
following .Ioan's startled gaze. "Ant
now I'll have to play surgeon and doc
tor him up Funny. this twentieth
century dueling. First you drill hol'
in man. and next you set abou
plugging the hole up"
They had stepped aside to let tht
stretcher pass. and Tudor. who hat
heard the remark. lifted himself W
on the elbow of his sound arm ant
said with q defiant grin:
IF you'd got one of mine you'd have
had to plug with Il dinner plate
/ 'Ou. you WEClSh. SNuA >A>>~
you've been cutting your bullets"
ut was according to agreement
Tudor answered. "Everything went
We could have used dynamite If W.
wanted to-"
"He's right" Sheldon assured hel
as they swung in behind. "Any weap
on was permissible. lay in the grass
where he couldn't see me and bush
whacked him In truly noble fashion
That's what comes of having womel
ON the plantation. And now It's antisep
tics and drainage tubes. suppose
It's a nasty mess, and I'll have t
read up on it before tackle the job"
81 don't see that it's my fault" sht
began. II couldn't help it because hi
kissed me. | never dreamed he would
attempt It,"
1--WE didn't fight for that reason. Blu
there isn't time to explain. II you'll
get dressings and bandages ready III
look UP gunshOt wounds and see whats
to be DONE"
"Is he bleeding seriously?" she asked
"No; the bullet seems to have missed
the important arteries. But tina
would have been u pickle"
"Then there's no need to bother
about reading up" Joan said. "Ant
I'm just dying to hear what 1t wal
all about. The Apostle is lying be
Gained inside the point, and her boats
are out towing. She'll be at anchor
In five minutes. and Dr. Welshmere !!
sure to be on board. So all we've 60
to do is to make Tudor comfortable
We'd better put him in your room un
der the mosquito netting and send
boat off to tell DR.. Welshmere to bring
his instruments"
An hour afterward DR.. Welshmer'
left the patient comfortable and at
tended to and went down to the beacl
to go on board. promising to come bacl
to dinner. Joan and Sheldon, stand
ing ON the veranda, watched him de
part.
"I'll never have 1t in for the mission
aries again since seeing them here II
the Solomons," she said. seating her
self in a steamer chair.
She looked at Sheldon and began t
laugh.
"That's right" he said. "It's tn
way l feel, playing the fool and trying
to murder guest"
"But you haven't told me what !
was all about"
-."You." he answered shortly.
"Me? But you just said 1t wasn't"
"Oh. It wasn't the kiss" He walke'
over to the railing and leaned agains
1t, facing her. But 1t was about yo'
all the same. and l may as well tel
you. You remember, warned yO'
long ago what would happen when yo'
wanted to become a partner III BE
rande. Well. all the beach Is gossip
ing about it. and Tudor persisted II
repeating the gossip to me. So yol
see 1t won't do for you to stay on her
under present conditions. 1t would b
better II you went away" 49,,
But | don't want to 60 away" sh
objected with rueful countenance.
ga chaperon them
mo. nor chaperon."
"But you surely don't expect me t
20 around shooting every slanderer Il
the Solomons that opens bis mouth2
he demanded gloomily.
'No, nor that either" she answere
with quick impulsiveness. "Tll tel
you what we'll do. Well get marrie
and put q stop to 1t all-there"
He looked at her In amazement an
would have believed that she wa
making fun Of him had 1t not been 70
the warm blood that suddenly suffuse
her cheeks. .y. 81.
DO you mean thatst he asked vi
steadily. "Why"
ITO put a stop to all the nasty got
sip of the beach. That's a pretty goo
reason, isn't itY'
"No; It Ii worse than no reason q
all. l don't care to marry you as
matter Of expediency"-
"You are the most ridiculous cres
ture!" she broke In with fash OF he
old time anger. "You talk love an
marriage to me very much againi
my wish, and 60 incoming around owe
the plantation week after week b
cause you can't have me. and look q