Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-08-12

TRENDS up ana DOWN the street to ue
consoled about, IF you haven't got
sense enough to appreciate your pres
ent blissful condition somebody ought
to operate OH your mind"
was tempted to say. why not my
heart" / was glad she didn't know
how good that heart did feel under my
tucker when the boy brought that bas-
ket Of fish from Judge Wade's fishing
trip Saturday. I have firmly deter
mined not to blush any more at the
thought Of that gorgeous man-at least
,utwardly.
Don't you think it is very-very
lonely to be a widow. Mrs. Johnson"
II asked timidly to see what she would
say about Mr.. Johnson. who is really
lovely. think. He gives me the gen.
tlest understanding smile when he
meets me on the street of late weeks.
Lonely, lonely. Molly? You talk
about the married state exactly like
an old maid. Don't do tits foolish,
and you will get the lone notion really
fastened In your mind and let some
fool man find out that is how you
feel. Then it will be all over with you.
l have only one regret. and 1t Is that
| If ever should be widow Mr.. john
son wouldn't be here to see how quick
ly I turned into an old maid. by the
grace Of God" Mrs. johnson sews by
assassinating the cloth with the needle.
and as she talked she was mending the
sleeve of one of Mr.. Johnson's shirts.
II think an old maid is just wo-
man who has never been in love with
man who loves her. Lots OF them
have been married for years" said.
Just as innocently as the soft face OF
pan Of cream and went on darning
one Of Billy's socks.
"Well, be that as 1t may, they are
the blessed members Of the women
tribe she answered, looking ut me
sharply. "Now I have often told Mr.
Johnson But here we were inter
rupted In what might have been the
rehearsal of a glorious scrap by the
appearance of Aunt Bette Pollard,
and with her came long, tall. lovely
vision of a woman In the most wonder
full close clingy dress and hat that you
wanted to eat OH sight. | hated her
instantly with the most intense adora-
ton that made me want to lie down at
her feet and also made me feel like
| I had gained all the more than twenty
pounds that I have slaved off me and
doubled them on again. l would have
liked to lead her that minute into DR..
Johns office and just to have looked at
him and said one word-"string bean!
Aunt Betty introduced her as Miss
Chester from Washington.
"Oh, my dear Mrs. Carter. how glad
| am to meet your she said rs she
lowered over me In willOwy way, and
her voice was lovely and cool almost
| to slimness. 81 am the bearer Of so
many gracious messages that ! am
anxious to deliver them safely to you.
Not six weeks ago ! left Alfred Ben
nett In Paris, and really-really his
greetings to you almost amounted tc
steamer luggage. He came down tc
Cherbourg to see me off. and almost
the last thing he said to me was. Now
don't fail to see Mrs. Carter us soon ms
you get to Hillsboro. and the more you
see Of her the more you'll enjoy your
visit to Mrs. Pollard Isn't lie the
most delightful Of men| She asked
me the question. but she had the most
wonderful way Of seeming to be talk
Ing to everybody ut one time. so Mrs.
Johnson got in the first answer.
Delightful. nothing! But Al Ben
nett is man Of sense not to marry
any of the string of women | suppose
he's got following him." she said Miss
Chester looked at her In mild kind of
wonder, but she went on numbering
Mr.. Johnson's shirt sleeve with the
needle without noticing the glance III