Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-05-20

you one thing ana rnat amt two: 10
ruther have woman's promise to
make her husband vote for me or my
candidate than to have mans own
word on stack O. Bibles mile high
sub. It's only up to the man to keep
his word. But it's up to the woman to
prove that she can manage her hus
band. And she'u do that. sub or die
In the attempt"
Old Judge Boiling laughed. "Well,
Thurs" he said. I've Just been fooling
with you anyway. Mrs Todhunter
herself stopped at our house this morn,
ing and took Mrs. Boiling along with
her, and she made me promise to come
later, so it's all right They'll have no
excuse for saying that we're there In
Colonel Strickland's interest. so you
and I can 60 down to Indian Springs
with a perfectly easy conscience"
An hour later old Judge Boiling and
Colonel Todhunter emerged upon the
picnic grounds In company. having
driven down In the colonels buggy.
Mrs. Todhunter, a white haired old
aristocrat of the antebellum type, ad-
yanced to meet her husband and his
friend. II Mrs. Todhunter had fault
It was that she tacftly regarded all
Nineveh rs being yassal to her social
suzerainty and bore herself something
as might the ruling monarch of some
little principality. But this manner
was not apparent in her bearing to-
ward old Judge Boiling. whom she
knew rs being Of her own caste.
"I'm very glad you've come. Judge"
she said laughinely. "And especially
right now. 1t may take you and Colo
mel Todhunter both to make our Mary
ind young Tom Strickland behave
themselves, sir. Tom has already kid
naped Mary away somewhere after
put them to work spreading table
cloths, and I've been vowing all sorts
of vengeance on both of them. don't
approve of Toms behavior at I'LL
Judge"
1T pains me to disagree with lady.
madam" replied the white haired old
Judge gallantly. "but must say ap
prove of Toms conduct In getting Miss
Mary Todhunter of to himself ut ev
cry chance, ma,am!
"That's all very fine. Judge" said
Mrs. Todhunter. laughing and shaking
her head, "but Mary has no business
permitting Tom Strickland to monopo
lie her She came out here with
Stamford Tucker. wouldn't blame
STAN In the least If he got ugly about
It."
Then Mrs. Todhunter laughed aud
pointed an accusing finger. There they
pre now. looking as if butter wouldn't
melt in their mouths. Won't you
70 over there for me. Judge. and tell
Tom Strickland to behave himself and
send Mary to me right away: There's
no earthly use In Colonel Todhunter
going. because neither one Of them
would mind a word he says! old
Judge Boiling. laughing. moved of to
ward the young couple.
Mrs. Todhunter turned to the colonel
"You see, | know you like book. Colo
mel Todhnnter." she said. her eyes
twinkling "You think everything
young Tom Strickland does ia just
right. and you'd stand up for him
quicker than his own father. And as
for Mary. she ran twist you around her
finger any time Don't think ] place
any dependence upon you where. they
are concerned. sir
Colonel Todhunter smiled calmly. u
amt askin ,ou To. Mary" he retorted.
In the iss; place. approve OF Toms
fallin' us Gsep In love with Mary as
he knows how. In the second place.
interferln In these here sentimental
affairs l.; IL mighty ticklish business.
and I'm E":r al this picnic to have O
good time I'm Il goin' to have 1t, tool
Saying which. he beat hasty retreat
Bai he h.Ii hnrdly succeeded In plac-
Ing II *eeil"u Of the picnic crowd be-
tween himself and Mrs. TOdhunter
when Il yuing girl came running along
his trail. hrpathess. and with mis-.
chievons eyes
"Mrs. Todhunter wants you to come
right back to her. colonel" she an
nounced. shes short on men to help
her. and she's awful busy. Wants you
to .coluc right away. SIR"
Colonel Todhunier glanced whimsi'
| cally Mt the messenger. Amt that just
like a mans wife? She didn't want
Judge Boiling when she saw him. Oh,
no. It's me she wants. And I'll bet
she's got the hardest job on the
grounds picked out for me right now"
Then he turned to the amused girl
Thank. you. Miss Louise" he said
ruefully. please tell Mrs. Todhuntsr
I'll he there In two or three minutes"
Suddenly. but little distance ahead
he saw Tom Strickland parting from
Mary. They were handsome couple
the colonel's daughter an exquisite type
| of the we'll born southern girl. her hall
and eyes a rarely pure brown. her skin
Of almost baby fairness. proud little
mouth. n joyons bearing; the youth Q
tall and well built young country bred
gentleman. his eyes a clear blue. bis
hair a sunburned yellow. his mouth
and chin clean cut and flrm. Colone
Todhunter approved heartily Of both.
As Mary left her companion and yen
to Join her mother. second girl. Will
obvious intent, crossed Tom Strick
lands path She was Of diheren
type. a plebeian beauty. black haired
with passionate eyes, full red lips.
suggestion Of rich animal life in bel
movements
| You ought to be ashamed Of your
self. Tom Strickland!' she said in {
low tone. little break In her voice
"You let me drop like was somethin
you despised Just tn. minute yoI