Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-08-19
,Ik hs,r," she WAS saying . ne ca.

ak hair" she was saying - ens GU
grange peel into strips.
you've planned the refurnishins OF
that east wing to suit the style OF
nearly every girl in Hillsboro since
Tom put on long trousers, Bette pol'
lard. and they are just as they nave
been for fifteen years since you did
over the whole house," said Mrs Jonn.
son as she poured a wineglass nan
full from one bottle and added q table
spoonful from another.
~Well, I think he Is really interested
now from the way he danced most OF
his time with her down at the hotel the
other night. and l have hopes ! never
I'd before. Now. Molly. do put MIN
aween you and her. sort OF cornereo'
20 he can't even see ruth Chester.
Che is too old for him" And Toms
mother looked at me over the orange
peel as to confederate.
"Humph, I'd like to see you or molly
Or any woman corner Tom Pollard
said Mrs. johnson with a wry smile rs
she tasted the concoction In the Wine
glass.
~ have put him at the end OF the
table because he is my kinsman ana
the only host I've got ut present. Aunt
Bette" I said regretfully. l always
take every chance to rub In Ioms
and my relationship on Aunt Bette. SO
ri
I'D put John Moore ut the head OF
the table II l were you. Molly Carter,
because he's about the only man you've
Invited that has got any sense lett
since you and that Chester girl took
to visiting Hillsboro. He's a host OF
steadiness IN himself. and the way he
ignores all you women who would run
after him II he would let you shows
what he is He has my full conn.
Hence" and as she delivered herseif
of this Judgment Of DR.. John. Mrs
Johnson drove in all the corks ngnt
and bei.nn to pound spice.
Hes not out Of the widower woods
vet. Caroline" said Aunt Bette with
liner most speculative smile. Il have
about decided ON him for Ruth since
1.-The fudge has taken to following Molly
about as bad as Billy Moore does. But
don't you all say word. for 'onn's
mighty timid. and don't believe. In
spIte Of all these years he's had SIN
| vle notion yet. If he had had he'd
Ihave tried a set-to with you. Molly
like all the rest Of the shy birds IN
town. He doesn't see a woman as
anything but n patient at the end OF
spoon, and mighty kind and gentle
he does the dosing Of them too. JUST
the other day-dearie me. Judy. what
has boiled over nowy' And In the ex-
element that ensued escaped to the
garden.
Yes. Aunt Bette ls right about DR..
John: he doesn't see q woman ana
there is no way to make him. What
she had said about 1t made me realize
that he had always been like that. ana
Ii told myself that there was no rea-
son in the world why my heart should
beat in my slippers on that account
Still don't see why Ruth chester
should have her head literally thrown
against that stone wall and wish
Aunt Bette wouldn't. 1t seemed like
dissertation even to try to match
make him. and 1t made me hot with
Indignation all over. dug so fiercely
at the roots Of my phlox with trowel
I had picked up that they groaned 30
loud l could almost hear them. felt
as II / must operate on something.
And It was in this mood that Alfreds
letter found me.
It had n surprise in 1t and sat back
on the grass and read 1t with my heart
beating like a triphammer. he had
sailed the day he had posted 1t and ne
was due to arrive in New York almost
az soon as 1t did, just any hour now
calculated in fash. And from New
York Immediately to Hillsboro" he had
written In words that fairly sung
themselves of the paper. was fright
ened-so frightened that the letter
shook In my hands. and with only the
thought of being sure that might be
alone for a few minutes with 1t, fed
to the garrett