Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-11-19
father and mother7 Polly. be good to


Elnora." he whispered.
"Um-huh. "assented Polly. And aloud,
II never saw such a beauty. Thomas
Asquith Levering. you come straight
here and take my haDdr
Edith's move to compel Ammon to
approach Elnora beside her had been
easy to see; also Its failure. Hender.
son stepped into Ammon's place as he
turned to his sister. Instead Of taking
Polly's hand Levering ran to open the
gate. Edith passed through first. but
Polly darted in front Of her on the
run. with Phil holding her arm. and
swept up to Elnora. Polly looked for
the ring and saw 1t. That settled mat
ters with her.
"You lovely. lovely. darling girl~
she cried. throwing her arms around
Elnora and kissing her. With her lips
near Elnora's ear. Polly whispered.
"Sister-dear. dear sister,!
Elnora drew back, staring at Polly
In confused amazement. She was
beautiful girl. dressed in some wonder
full way. Her eyes were sparkling
and dancing. and US she turned to
make way for the others she kept one
of Elnora's hands In hers. Edith bow
ed low. muttered something and touch
ed Elnora's fingers. In that instant
only pity was In Elnora's breast for the
flashing dark beauty.
"Come into the shade" she urged
'fYou must have found 1t warm on
these country roads. Won't you lay
aside your dust coats and have q cool
drink? Philip, would you ask mother
to come and bring that pitcher In the
springhouser
They entered the arbor. exclaiminR
at the dim. green GOODNESS. Mrs. Com.
stock came deliberately. talking to AM
mon as she approached. Elnora gave
her one searching look. but could dis
cover only en- extreme brightness of
eye to denote any unusual feeling
Polly instantly went to her and held
up her face to be kissed. Mrs. Com
stocks eyes twinkled. and she made
the greeting hearty.
Soon the pitcher was empty. and e.
nora picked 1t up and went to refill It.
While she wns gone Henderson asked
Philip about some trouble he was hav.
Ing with his car. They went to the
woods and began q minute examina
ton to find defect which did not eI
list. Polly and Levering were having
an animated conversation with Mrs
Comstock. Henderson saw Edith arise.
follow the garden path next the woods
and stand waiting under the willow
which Elnora would pass on her re-
turn. 1t was for that meeting he had
made the trip. he got down on the
ground. tore up the car. worked. asked
for help and kept Philip busy screwlng
bolts and applying the oil can. All the
time Henderson kept an eye on Edith
and Elnora under the willow. But he
took pains to lay the work he asked
Philip to do where that scene would
be out of his sight. When Elnora
came around the corner with the pitch
er she found herself facing Edith Carr
II want a minute with you" sail
Miss Carr.
every we'll" replied Elnori. walk.
ing on.
"Set the pitcher Oh the bench there.
commanded Edith Carr as 1. speaking
to n servant.
~ prefer not to offer my guests
warm driak." said E!nura. I'll come
back II you really wish to speak with
me-"
81 came solely for that" said Edith
Carr.
1T would be q pity to travel so far In
this dust and heat for nothing. ri only
he gone second"
Elnora set the pitcher before her
mother. please serve this" she said.
Miss Carr wishes to speak with me-"
The girl slowly and Gravely walked
back to the willow.
"Will you he seatedT she asked 20
litely.
Edith Carr glanced at the bench.
while shudder shook her.
mo. prefer to stand" she said.
did Mr.. Ammon give you the ring
you are wearing. and do you consider
yourself engaged to himT'
"By what right do you ask such per
sonal questions Us thoseY inquired El.
nora.
"By the right Of q betrothed wife.
have been promised to Philip Ammon
ever since I wore s.i"r. S....'s All our
lives we have expe., ted 10 iiarry. An
agreement Of years caraot be broken
in one insane moment. Always he has
loved me devotedly. Give me ten mill
utes with him and he will be mine for
all time"
"I seriously doubt that" said Elnora.
but 1 am perfectly willing that you
should make the test. will call him."
"Stop! commanded Edith Carr. II
told you that it was you came to
see."
II remember" said Elnora.
"Mr. Ammon is my betrothed," con.
tinued Edith Carr. II expect to take
him back to Chicago with me-"
"Then 1t is untrue that you twice
rejected his ring. repeatedly insulted
him and publicly renounced him"
"That was through you" cried Edith
Carr. 81 realize the spell OF. this
place Tor q summer season. can see
tust how you have worked TO ensnare
himr" -,
Men would call that lying" said e.
nora calmly. ''The second time l met
Philip Ammon he told me Of his en-
gagement to you. and respected 1t.
When he left me I did not hope or ex.
pect to see him again" Elnora's voice
fell soft and low. "And, behold. you
sent him-and free!"
"You exult in thatT cried Edith Carr.
"Let me tell you he Is not free! II be
married you before month you would
read heart hunger for me in his eyes.
He could not love me as he has done
and give me up for little scene Ike
thatr'
"You killed his love everlastingly
when you disgraced him In public"
said Elnora. KILLED It 80 completely
he does not even feel resentment to-
ward you"
Edith Carr stood truly regal and
filed with scorn. "You are mistaken!
Nothing on earth could kill THAR she
cried, and Eln0ra saw that the gtri