Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-01-27
CHAPTER w.
1AIways call mo Chris"


I~ UT Mr.. Doty was more to be
IjkI trusted than Matt had thought;
lHbI Of u sudden he came bustling
~ up like a rushing little tug,
towing two statelier ships. Bewilder-
ing introductions ensued; Matt found
himself shaking hands with an impos.
ing gentleman with a white mustache;
shaking hands with a young lady in
blue foulard, whose dark. soft glance
fingered curiously on his own Matt
hardly knew whether she was pretty
or motor at least very pretty. His
first impression was more Of gracious
ness, youth and breeding; of rather an
impudent little mouth. parting contin-
ually on perfect teeth; Of delicately
penciled eyebrows. nose slightly
aquiline. and an abundance Of glossy
hair, which under the lamplight ap-
peared darker than 1t really was.
"I've met a considerable number Of
kings in my time" said the general
genially. "but always glad to add an
other to the list you know. It's rather
a reproach to us. I'm afraid. that we
let the papers discover you first"
"Oh. those papersg' exclaimed Matt.
"But really, general. what Is one to
do? I might as well run after an ex-
press train as try to deny all that rub
bish."
Nobody is safe In this country"
agreed the general. with great good
humor. You can go to bed at night
an honored citizen and wake up In
the morning an alliterative outcast-
Merciless Marshall Murders Maid or
something equally surprising and un'
pleasant"
Tts the smudgy pictures I hate
most" put in Miss Marshall. i've
had mine stuck all round with little
cupids shooting arrows into an unfor-
tunate foreign nobleman."
The general, still laughing at his own
sally, was greeted and diverted by
passing acquaintance, affording Matt
the opportunity Of asking Miss Mar
shall If she would not like to make
the round Of the booths with him. Her
face showed her pleasure ut the pro-
posal. and In her answering look. so
arch and eager. Matt seemed to read
something that made him dizzy. She
was more than pretty; she was ex-
ouisite, and the sudden realization or
her beauty was not without dart OF
to
rather, trying to talk, for the noise and
jostle caused constant Interruptions
talking and hoping for chairs and elud-
ing the general like pair OF truants.
all the while looking into each others
eyes and laughing But there were no
chairs; there was not an empty spot
In the whole church except In the pull
pit and that was set inaccessibly IN
midair like a wooden lily on a long.
twisted stem. Matt gazed at 1t much
as q castaway sailor might gaze at an
airship-an unnamed airship drifting
high above his head. But as he gazed
his resolution grew. and he announced
It recklessly.
"But they'll all see usw cried Miss
Marshall, aghast
"Only the tops Of our heads, and they
won't recognize u.s." said Matt
"And Mr.. Doty will be scandalized-
everybody WILL"
"Oh, nonsense" said Matt. Its the
dickens to stand up here, with people
digging into you and pestering you to
buy beadwork pincushions, when you'd
give everything in the world for cozy
talk"
"A cosy talk would be nice, wouldn't
III Though it would take an elephant
to get through all"-
"Come along. I'll be the elephant"
The pulpit was reached by spiral
stair-or, rather, could be reached by
pressing apart stout lady Cabling to
another stout lady, sweeping through
| five gauzy little girls and disturbing
mounting tier Of sweethearts, two to
step. Had Matt not been In evening
dress he would never have succeeded In
dislodging these lovers, but bis swal-
lowtail was an awe inspiring garb and
| bore with 1t a mysterious authority
Moreover, with quick presence OF mind
| that convulsed his companion, Matt
announced that he was going to give
q recitation, which allayed resentment
| and filed every one with delighted an
ticipation. The blockade was broken.
and Matt had the supreme satisfaction
of leading Miss Marshall into the pull
oft. He would have put her on the
| chair-there was a chair-but she pre-
ferred the hassock, insisting at the
same time that be should sit on the
floor. Here they covered out OF view,
trying to restrain their laughter.
"Now, tell me about those hve
times" said Matt.
what Hve timesT inquired Miss
Marshall, provokingly insincere and
with that pretty parting Of her lips.
"Oh, you know-what you said over
the phone"
"Td rather hear about your first
time"
"Thats easy. came here expecting
to find you adorable, and you are"
"Men say things like that just as lit.
tie boys shout Get a horse. get o
horser when you're stuck in a motor"
"But you really and truly are,
and
i Aa~ Wn"s'