Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-05-12

/ Auu tIle Scuuih6 Wotu w tuS ~ooo'
feur. Let her click till the milk cart
rumble-I can pay Say, that sure 4
romance to me-"
"Mr. Hayden" remarked Magee
"are we to hear from your
Hayden hesitated and looked for
moment into the black eyes Of Hyrs
Thornhill.
MY idea has often been contradict
ed," he said, keeping his gaze on tht
girl; ut may be again. But to M
the greatest romance in the world II
the romance Of money maklng-dol
Lar piling on dollar in the vaults Of the
man who started with a shoestrinl
and hope and nerve. l see him fight
Ing for the first thousand-and then
see his pile growing. slowly at first
Observation-Disclosures motor
car brings him to his office, and mer
speak bis name with awe in the
streets"
Money" commented Miss Thorn
bill contemptuously. What an idea
Of romance for man"
II did not expect" replied Hayden
"that my definition would pass unchal
lenged. My past experiences he
looked meaningly at the girl-"had led
me to be prepared for that. But it Is
my definition-I spoke the truth. You
must give me credit for that"
II amt one to blame you." sneered
Cargan, "for wanting 1t noticed when
you do sidestep lie. Yes, l certain
Iy"-
"See here, Cargan," blazed Hayden.
Eyes, you did speak the truth" put
In Miss Thornhill hastily. "You men.
toned one word In your definition. 1t
was q desecration to drag 1t in-hope.
For me romance means only-hOpe.
And I'm afraid there are pidful num-
ber In the world to whom it means the
same"
1--WE amt heard from the young wo-
man who started all this fuss over a
little word" Mr.. Cargan reminded
them.
THAT'S right, dearie," said Mrs. Nor
ton. "You got to contribute"
"Yes," agreed the girl with the clocks
crisped like golden wire," II will. but
it's hard. Ones ideas change 30 rap.
idly. A moment ago II you had said
romance to me / might have babbled
Of shady corners, Of whisperings on
the stair, Of walks down the mountain
in the moonlight or even on the hotel
balcony" She smiled gayly at Magee.
Perhaps tomorrow, too, the word
might mean such rapturous things to
me. But tonight-llfe is too real and
earnest tonight. Service-Professor
Bolton was right-service Is often ro-
nance. It may mean the discovery OF
q serum-it may mean so cruel thing
as the bughting Of another's life ro-
nance" She gazed steadily at the
stolid Cargan. 1T may mean putting
an end forever to those picturesque
parades past the window Of the little
room on Main street.-the room where
the boys can always find the mayor OF
Reuton."
Still she gazed steadily into Cargan's
eyes. And with an amused smile the
mayor gazed back.
"You wouldn't be 80 cruel as that"
he assured her easily; "a nice, attrac-
tive girl like you"
The dinner was at an end. Without
a word the sly little professor rose
from the table and hurriedly ascended
the stairs. Mr.. Magee watched him
disappear and resolved to follow quick
ly on his heels. But first he paused
to give his own version Of the word
under discussion.
Strange" he remarked, that none
Of you gets the picture I do. Romance
1T is here-at your feet in Baldpate
inn. A man climbs the mountain to
be alone with his thoughts, to forget
the melodrama Of life, to get away
from the swift action Of the world and
mediate. he is alone for very near
an hour. Then telephone bell tin
kles and youth rises out Of the dark
to prate Of lost Arabella and haber
dashery. A shot rings out, as the i'm
memorial custom with shots, and in
comes a professor Of comparative lit
erature. with a perforation in his der
by hat. A professional hermit arrives
to teach the amateur the fine points
Of the game. A charming maid comes
in-too late for breakfast-but in plen'
ty Of time for walks on the balcony In
the moonlight. The mayor Of mu.
nicipality condescends to stay for din
ner A battle In the snow ensues.
There Is a weird talk OLA sum Of
money. More guests arrive. Dark
hints of q seventh key. Why. bless
you. you needn't stir from Baldpate
inn In search of your romance"
he crossed the floor hastily and put
one foot on the lower step Of Bald
pate's grand stairway. He kept 1t
there. For from the shadows Of the
landing Professor Bolton emerged, his
blasted derby once more on his head,
his overcoat buttoned tight. his ear
muffs in place. his travelling bag and
green umbrella in tow.
"What, professor" cried Magee,
you're leaving"
Now, truly, the end Of the drama
had come. Mr.. Magee felt his heart
beat wildly.
"Yes," the old man was saying slow
ly. IT am about to leave. The deci-
sion came suddenly. l am sorry to
go. Certainly have enjoyed these
chance meetings"
"See here, Doc" said Mr.. Bland, un.
easily feeling Of his purple tie, you're
not going back and let them reporters
have another ding at your
II fear i must" replied the old man.
my duty calls. Yes, they will hound
me. l shall hear much Of peroxide
blonds. l shall be asked again to name
the ten greatest in history-a difficult,
not to say dangerous task. But l must
face the-er-music, as the vulgar ex.
preston goes. bid you goodby. Mr..
Bland. We part friends. am sure"
He turned to Magee.
II regret more than l can say" he
continued. parting from you. My
eyes fell upon you first on entering
this place. We have had exciting times
together. My dear Miss Norton. know
Ing you has refreshed an old mans
heart. l might compare you to anoth-