Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-02-20
VOW0WCWCHCN~ I3C CHOVOVVVOV
LUCY BRAKES
DUPLIC|TY
The Story Of q Schemine
Friend
By cLARIsSA MAcKIE

IL By cLARIsSA MAcKIE 3
| I9@o~o@o@o~o~oo~o~o%o~o~o~6
had stayed away from Ounce Har-
Dor for two months. and. although u
small seaport is a dull place indeed
during the midwinter season, I felt
longing to 60 down there in Decem.
Der and see how the cedar clothed
bluffs looked with snowy overdress.
[ wanted to see the steely blue Of the
bay under gray December skies; l
wanted to hear the harsh cry Of the
gulls as they wheeled over the water;
wanted to partake Of the delightful
dulness of Ounce Harbor in winter.
Now, Captain Barnabas Fish, my
,tanch friend and fellow fisherman,
companion of many delightful excur-
sions on and about Ounce Harbor,
had written me Il most mysteriously
worded letter, In which he limited at
his engagement to Miss Maria Weeks,
with whom ! had boarded when In
the seaport, and suggested that con-
versation with ME would enlighten
him concerning several rather prob
lematical social questions.
lord bless you, Miss Telham, was
Just wishing for you," cried Miss
Maria, running down the walk to meet
me. "You came In direct answer to
prayer"
I wondered whether It was not Cap
tain Barnabas' unspoken prayer that
had brought me. but paid the stage
fare and followed Miss Maria, who
was staggering under the weight OF
my bags, into the warm house.
"How is Lucy DrakeT was my first
tactless question, but was interested
In Lucy, who lived next door to the
Weeks house.
Miss AIariu tossed her head as she
arose from placing my bags on the
floor. $50 far as ! know. Lucy's all
right" she replied rather tartly.
"Tn the last letter you wrote to me
you said that Lucy Drake was to be
your bridesmaid" observed as ! re-
moved my outdoor garments with Ma
ria's help.
bridesmaid, indeed" she shifted
scornfully. 81 did ask her to be. ana
glad enough she was to accept. never
having been so near the altar before In
her life-not that way, I mean-and |
even offered to provide the gown for
her. pink silk with pink roses" Maria
loosened my hair and brushed vigor'
ously ut the tangles pink silk she re-
peated. What do you think Of thaty
at would have been lovely" l MUIR
mured "but tell me why she refused
to act as
"She didn't refuse. She accepted.
and the dress is all made and the bou-
auet IS ordered from Smithville. The
captain saw to all that himself"
"Tell me about 1t. Miss Maria.
shall never know until you do" ]
urged.
"TLere isn't much to tell. only Lucy
has taken full charge Of my wedding
and is bossing everything. Miss Tel
ham. she actually advised the captain
to wear one of his old yachting uni
forms and call 1t q marine wedding.
She thought 1t would be something like
the military weddings she reads about
In the papers"
"And what does Captain Barnabas
say?" l asked curiously.
II thought he was kinder taken with
the idea Mt first, but now Lucy mas
talked so much about It that he's tired
of 1t. He don't know what to wear
after alrs said and done. Not being
married before and getting the ex-
perience Of having had wedding is
great drawback" She sighed as she
led the way downstairs.
ut must be-" | murmured, wonder
ing what questions the doubtful cap
tain wished to put before me. "And
so Lucy Drake will not be the brides
maid after ALL" I said. disappointed ut
this outcome.
"Oh, yes, she says she will. and !
haven't got any objection so long as
she don't trim up the church so 1t
looks like the bottom Of the ocean.
reckon she'd like to have clam shells
all I'D the aisle and IN orchestra OF
those little fiddler crabs, with seaweed
dripping NIL around. She even wanted
me to have my wedding dress trimmed
with dinglr shells and seaweed."
Lucy certainly Is romantic" I OBJ
served soOthingly. do let me see
your wedding gown. Miss Maria, II 1t
is ready"
"It's all done: it's here In the spare
room." This spinster OF forty-hve
years Internationally led the way to
the little bedroom that opened of the
sitting room aid prepared to show me
her simple trcussenu.
The wedding dress was Of gray SILK,
penrly gray and almost stiff enough to
stand alone. |, was made simply, but
I knew It would be becoming to Maria.
who was plump and pink checked.
with soft brown hair and dark eyes.
ut Is lovely" | said. kissing the
bride to be OH both pink cheeks.
Don't fret about Lucy Drake. I know
IT'S going to be the loveliest wedding
you ever saw
"I'm worried about 1t just the same,
Miss Telham. haven't told you all
there is to It. Lucy has been teasing
the captain to have Orville Beers for
his best man. She's keeping company
with Orville."
as the captain willingT
"Mercy. no. Orville and him amt
spoke for twenty years. Seems he and
the captain were both after the same
girl In the days mean. and Orville got
ber OF course the captain got all over
r. only he's always t.r. i....d ut Of'
Vile because he got H. best OF him.
Orville's wife died last spring. ana hes
been after Lucy Drake. She hinted
that she'd rather have Il white SILK
dress because she could use 1t later for
her own wedding"
Which / was alone could not resist
a hearty laugh ut the thriftiness OF
Lucy Drake. She was Mnria's age.
but the difference In the two women
was marked. Maria In her blunt. plain
way seemed to behold her marriage to
Captain Fish as the start OF new
life, q life Of congenial. affectionate
companionship. With placid happiness
that should last them during the re-