Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-06-24

son City will see mighty little Of me-"
What do you mean?" asked Mary.
You'll certainly have to go to the
state capital when Colonel and Mrs.
Strickland 60. won't your
Toms fuce took on an injured ex'
preston. Il declare. Mary" he spoke.
you never seem to realize that I'm no
longer u boy. Please remember that
I'm q grown man now and that I've
studied law and been admitted to prac-
| tice mt the Missouri bari"
Laughter cleaned In Mary's eyes.
We'll. Mr.. Thomas Strickland, great
lawyer that you are." she mocked.
what then?"
"W by, just this, that l intend to stay
right here in Nineveh." announced Tom
loftily. It's all settled too. I'm going
to be taken into partnership with my
fatEv.' and old Judge Boiling. and then
can hold my fathers practice II he's
elected. Anyway. I'm to be partner.
Strickland. Boiling & Strickland that's
how the new sign will read"
Mary laughed outright. Goodness
mel" she cried Won't we be big
man then: Oh. Tom. it'll be such fun
to hear you make speech In court!
Ahem-Gentlcme Of the jury
Shame on you. Mary Tcdhunter!'
cried Tom. reddenimg boyishly. Its
Just like you. though. You've p"ked
fun ut me all your life.
"I haven't either" denied Mary In
stantIy. I've only laughed nj your
high and mighty ways now aud then
and you know It,"
TOMS angry eyes looked straight to
the front
You had 10 right to say that about
me-" continued Mary i've been
mighty good to you.
up to certain point, yes" agreed
Tom. But just tie minute get seri
Gus about anything you begin laughing
at me"
why. Tolh. | don't do anything OF
the sort!' protested Mary. IL never
dreamed of such thing. You can try
me this very minute and sec."'
"All right. | Will" spoke Tom quick
ly. MARY. love you. want you to
promise to be my wife Won't you!
I've loved you all my life"
tom Strickland" cried Mary. blush.
Ing hotly. You ought to be ASHAMED
IF yourself. You've got no right to say
that just because-jnst because IL
was trying to be good to you"
Mary" said Tom sturdily. IF you
don't know I've been In love with you
all this time you mnst be blind. And
now I've told you. why-well. you've
got to give me an answer and love
you so that I'm afraid to hear It! III
It's novel;. it'll break my heart. that's
allw
There was no answer to his pleading
Mary had given him one startled look.
Then her eyes had softened and turned
away from his. 1t seemed to Tom that
she was crying.
Mary he said humbly, IL didn't
mean to SAY anything to trouble you,
but had to tell rou some time or
other. i've loved you a long. long
time Is there any chance for ne at
ull:"
Still there was no answer.
81 reckon I've been the blind one,' y
said Tom sadly. 81 reckon you can't
care for me the way care for you.
Yes. Mary. reckon it's me that's been
blind"
Yes. Tom" replied Mary Todhunter.
"it's you that have been blind"
Tom bowed his head. ~ ought to
have seen that you didn't love me-" he
said. Il ought to have seen 1t. Then
| wouldn't have given you the pain OF
having to tell me So"
Pm not going to tell you." said
Mary.
"All right Mary" replied Tom. "lll
take my answer without hurting you
by making you put 1t into words. I'm
no hog. anyway; know when I've had
| enough"
To his amazement Mary burst out
laughing. "Of all the funny things to
say at such timer she cried. Her
eyes were full Of mischief, yet beauti-
fully tender. "Oh. Tom, indeed you are
the blindest Of the Blind"
A sudden hope stirred In Toms SOUL
"Maryr he exclaimed. you don't
mean
T do. Tom." softly replied Mary.
How could you believe didn't love
you? You ought to be ashamed Of your
SELF"
And Tom Strickland took Mary Tod
hunter IN his arms, leaving old Solo
mon to go his own way unguided.
"I'll tell Mrs. Todhunter and the
colonel this very day." he announced
Il few moments later Lord, they'd
see it anyway in my face, I'm SO proud
and happy. want to know If they
think I'm good enough for you"
Mary tossed her head. They'd bet
ter think So" she retorted Indignantly.
Not good enough. indeed!'
But Tom was near to being panic
stricken when they had gained the
wide gallery of Mary's home and were
confronting her parents.
"Howdy. Tom!' spoke Colonel Tod
hunter. His glance passed from young
Strickland to his daughter with just
the faintest twinkle Of amusement In
his gray blue eyes.
Tom Strickland had taken Mrs. Tod
hunters hand "Howdy. Mrs. Tod
hunter-Howdy. colonel" he said. his
face an open book Of confession. "I-
l-well. MARY was good enough to
say I could come home with her"
Were glad you did. Tom." replied
Mrs. Todhunter. "And you've got to
stay to supper"
Colonel Todhunter's lips were twitch-
ing. II don't know about that. honey"
he spoke. TON don't look to me like
nes very hungry"
Mary flashed swift Indignation at
her father. Mrs. Todhunter looked at
the colonel In surprise. Then in sud.
den understanding. she shot quick
glance Mt the young people. Tom
Strickland bushed redder than ever.
Mary fired at her mother one soft vol
ley Of entreaty from dewy eyes and
then fed precipitately into the house.
Her face filed with comprehending
tenderness. Mrs. Todhunter followed