Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-11-25
NUMBER Al

swell, being as you're so Klno as TO
take the trouble to invite US, we'n be
glad to accept your hospitality and
thank you"
"very well. I shall expect you
promptly at II. There are eight Of
you, aren't theref I want you al. re
member. Now I'll 80, for the walk
is rather long. You cross the hill and
20 straight south till you reach the
Sunrise wagon road, which will take
you directly to our shack, going west.
Good night"
Muly returned in great good spirits.
Jim looked dubious at first, but he WAS
loath to dampen the ardor Of his good
little heIpmeet by voicing his doubts
as to the wisdom Of inviting eight
strangers to their home.
T hope we have enough stuff on
hand" said cautious Jim. ut will take
heaps to satisfy eight hungry men. you
know"
"Of course we have plenty. Well
kill both turkeys, and I'll make four
pies instead of one and two boiled pud-
dings besides. Well have potatoes and
turnips and the canned corn / put up
myself and as much cider as they can
drink. For dessert We'll have real good
coffee and iced cake. Oh, We'll have
enough, you may be sure. Jim. you
must rig up q table big enough to seat
them all"
They worked till bedtime that night.
peeling apples. seeding raisins and
picking the turkeys. The next morn
ing Nlilly rose long before dawn and
set about her baking and brewing.
while Jim put up a big deal table that
stretched almost the length OF the
room, and by noon it was set with all
the luscious viands Of an eastern
Thanksgiving dinner, set with homely
platters and dishes. to be sure. but not
rougher in appearance than the men
who finally seated themselves about
the steaming board. Jim beamed hos
pitably from his place at the head or
the table and tried dutifully to "act
as II the company belonged there" as
Milly had said. The big, black whisk-
cred fellow whom the others addressed
as Blaisedale watched Slilly with
curious intentness which made her un.
comfortable.
you're mighty comfortably fixed for
these diggings." said he presently. look
tng about the walls with their homely
prints and ornaments.
Eyes, we are rather comfortable,
thanks to Millys ingenuity" Jim an
swered. with glow Of atfectionate
pride
You're lucky to be able to afford
such luxuries. for all those fancy fix
ings are luxuries in Colorado" Blaise-
dale remarked significantly.
"Yes. | count myself one Of the luck
lest men in the world. l owe every
thing to Milly. even my life. | was
poor law student when we were mar
ried, and when my health broke down
she simply took all responsibility into
her own hands. 1t was her money that
enabled me to come here. It's her bit
of money that we're living on now. All
that she has. In the world Is In the 1T
tie bank ut Sunrise, where she goes
once month to draw the necessary
sum for our provisions. But now that
I've got to work we're making our
way along without much help from the
bank. I tell you I hated to use that
money bad enough, but II 1t hadn't
been for that the Lord only knows
what would have become Of me-
Milly- blushed deeply and becomingly.
"Why. It doesn't amount to that" said
she, with a snap Of her brown fingers.
"All the money In the world would DO
worthless to me II didn't have Jim"
"I've heard saying about Il good
wife being treasure" Blaisedale re-
marked. "Your wife proves the truth
Of It."
The dinner was great success.
Blaisedale. who seemed to exert mys-
terious influence over his fellows, grew
very talkative and entertaining. lie
told stories Of queer places and queerer
people. which savored Of familiarity
with lawlessness and lawbreakers. but
which kept Jim breath!essly interested
until the eight strange guests made
their ndleus Blaisedale, who was last
to 90, turned to the threshold and held
out his hand to Milly.
"You remind me Of some one once
knew" he said simply. "and for her
sake I'd like to shake hands with you
Thank you for your hospitality. You
won't regret your kindness"
That night when Jim and Milly sat
talking beside their cheerful hearth
scrap Of white paper crept mysterious
" under the door coping Jim rose
hurriedly and threw back the door. but
no one was In sight and not sound
broke the deep stiffness Of the ley
night. Milly read the note over his
shoulder, and this Is what 1t sad
Some curious whim prompts me to tell
YOU that II was our intention TO break
into and rife the little eggshell bank At
Sunrise before quitting these diggings. hut
for the sake Of Milly's bit OF money IL