Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-10-27
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| sou. de attenQeQ service VIII III
Lansings and then shut himself IN hi
room. His reflections were brough
to an end by a call from Mrs. Lansing
informing him that Mr.. Bryan wante
him on the telephone. he hastene'
to the instrument In the hall below
and answered a pleasant greetnl
from the mill president.
II have a letter from the people yo'
signed-with." Mr.. Bryan Informed hin
over the wire. land they desire Il
know whether they may have an op
tion on your second invention"
1.-The next one may be failure.
said Nelson. with little laugh o.
pleasure at the praise given him.
II would like to talk the matter ovel
with you." suggested Mr.. Bryan. III
you have nothing else to do, come owe
to supper. My car Is handy: suppose
1 run over for your
Thank you; shall be glad to spent
the afternoon with you"
Better STILL" Mr.. Bryan added. 'ge
your things together and spend the
evening with US. Then we can tall
into the night and I'll take you In tt
the mills with me in the morning"
Nelson promised to be ready and left
the instrument to pack his suit case
Within half an hour he was with the
mill president in his motor, speeding
over the hard. red clay roads toward
his home.
The autumn was well advanced. The
leaves and vines Of the forests through
which they Travelled were touched Will
gold and bronze and crimson.
The Bryan home was in the center OF
magnificent estate Of 1000 acres
through which flowed branch Of the
Saluda river. In the distance. amid
many majestic and ancient shade trees
the white pillars of the mansion
cleaned.
The motor swung through wide
garden gate and pulled up as cheerful
cries of welcome came to the occu.
pants from the family assembled on
the piazza.
Here We arer' cried Mr.. Bryan
alighting from the car.
he ran up the piazza steps. Nelson
following, to q stately woman with
sllvery hair.
Mother" he said, this Is our guest.
Mr.. Nelson. and this is my eldest boy,
Jim." went on Mr.. Bryan after Nelson
had greeted his hostess. He Is just
your age. should think. Mr.. Nelson
And here Is Miss Molly Bryan. my
daughter"
Nelson turned from James Bryan to
his sister and looked into smiling.
girlish face. To him her eyes seemed
to be patches. Of blue clipped from the
heavens The sunlight Of youth and
light heart was In them. Her hair
was gold. fine spun and pied high on
her shapely head. Her cheeks were
rich In coloring. like the cheeks OF
English lassies. and her lips were
sweet and full.
Although there lurked in her con-
slant smile the coQuetry that Is the
possession Of all pretty girls of twenty.
she had the grace Of bearing OF her
mother, a wide brow and chin that
suggested strength Of character and
determination.
II am glad to meet the famous Mr..
Nelson" she said pleasantly as she
studied his face for moment I'VE
have heard father speak Of your inven-
tive work 80 often. He says that you
are a wizard with machinery"
Nelson felt his face grow hot All
that he had known Of human affection
was the great love that his mother had
given him and the dumb. animal like
devotion of the old convict who had
helped him escape from Sing Sing.
There seemed to be caress in the I'm
pid eyes Of this lovely girl before him.
His heart beat wildly within him. The
warm touch Of her hand sent thrill
through his whole being.
"I-I-dldn't know that had become
famous" he managed to stammer.
She realized his bewilderment and
from his eyes caught the confession
that suddenly. swiftly and unexpected
ly he had met the woman he was to
love.
.Oh. but father knows all about ma
chinery, and he says that you are
wizard" she laughingly protested. the
color in her cheeks deepening.
The music Of Molly's laughter lin.
gered in his ears as Nelson followed
his host. my boy. Jim. is lawyer.
Mr.. Bryan told Nelson. I'VE shall be
busy on some other legal matters be-
fore we can take up the question OF
your next invention. Ill leave you to
the care of Molly. She is a great
walker, and I'll warrant you that
when she brings you back from tour
Of the place you will have a splendid
appetite for supper"
Walking at his side. over paths heavy
with fallen leaves, Molly Bryan seemed
to him less Of earth than of heaven.
The rustic of the crimson and golden
leaves under their feet drowned the
soft sounds Of her garments. he heard
only her voice; he felt only the appre-
citation Of the sanctity Of her presence.
When he dared speak to her he had
TO make an effort to keep his sonoeous
voice from trembling. She felt instinct
iyely the effect that her nearness had
upon the quiet. modest companion OF
her walk. and Molly Bryan accepted
with a feeling akin to awe the tribute
II implied. Not knowing the depth OF
his nature and guessing nothing OF the
tragedy Of his life. she attributed his
taciturnity to shyness. She soon found
q way to unloosen his tongue.
ut Is glorious In the Indian sum
mer," she said. as they paused to feast
their eyes upon a mingling OF gold and
crimson leaves, "but in the spring 1t Is
even more beautiful through all this
country. Before the snow disappears
the trailing arbutus IL to be found on
the mountain sides.
The simple pleasures Of the ROAD
when he had travelled a. poor tinker
In his fight from the north to this
haven, had brought him the joyful
knowledge Of growing wild things. She
h,..6 him from his silence with queS-