Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-12-01
her voice stung wickham unreasona.

her voice stung Wickham unreasona-
bly,"
80 you leftT he went on at length.
with an effort
"Yes. got a place at Frankfort.
They were very kind to me. but one
Of the sons began making love to me-
And then
"And then went to Darmstadt
to answer an advertisement. They
wouldn't take me, so I spent the last
Of my money OH a ticket to Munich.
The Ferrises are. there-my frst fam
ily-and perhaps they'll take me back"
III they don't what will you dor
"Oh, don't know. l will have to
plan to find another position"
why not allow me to lend you some
money till you find one"
The look that flashed over her face
and her emphatic but courteous refusal
showed him how useless 1t would be
to pursue the subject.
Nv.
At Ulm Wickham got out and secur-
ed some bread and sausage sandwiches
and coffee
When be went back to the compart-
ment, balancing her cup carefully. he
found her awake. her eyes heavy, one
cheek wrinkled with sleep.
"Oh. how good Of you"
AS she took the cup from him her
hand touched his. and they both
started.
How soon do We reach Munichy
she asked hastily.
Not until something. Are you 50
impatient to get rid Of me!"
~ didn't mean that. You have been
SO good"
He shook his head. mo, not good.
But you are 80 lonely. and too
Are you lonelyY'
II have been lonely all my life, but
l have never been 80 lonely rs l shall
be when you have gone"
She looked ut him thoughtfu!ly.
isn't 1t strange? We have known
each other only few hours
Wickhams heart gave leap at what
she did not add. THAT makes NO diff
ference, does it," he asked.
81 suppose not
my name Is Robert Wickham.
What is yOurs?'
mine is Percy Lane"
"Ahw
"Yes; she named ME for him."
1T Is n sweet name-Percy. draw
for some of the illustrated papers. not
fancy pictures. but scenes and things
they need to illustrate articles"
"'Our Special Artist"
"Yes. | am no genius, but | work
carefully and am tolerably we'll paid.
| was Ill In the summer and have been
having holiday. l am thirty-two
years old"
The girl watched him dreamily.
"And am five and twenty"
"If-the Ferrises take you back you
will stay I'm Munich?"
She shook her head. mo. They are
going to Italy for the winter. | am
sorry"
Wickham had forgotten his deter
mination to be wise and. leaning over.
laid his hand in hers. Would you Ike
to see ME again"
"Yes. Oh, yes! You have been SO
kind"
"Do you like me lttle?'
Yes"
Look ut me-" he went on trife
breathlessly. II like you. Percy. much
more than little. Do you think you
could ever like me as do yOu:"
"Oh," she said. please dOn't!'
Then she drew the shabby curtain
before her face and pretended to look
out into the breaking day. Wickham
cursed his own idiocy, and an hour
passed before either Of them spoke
again.
Then he said rather roughly: Miss
Lane, we are almost there. and you
will need all your strength. Eat the
other sandwich"
She obeyed In silence.
do you know where the Ferrises
are stopping:"
She shook her head. mo: only
saw their arrival announced In a pa
per-"
She tugged ut the window as she
spoke. and IL slammed down. letting
in rush OF cold morning air.
Wickham looked ut the CLINT OF the
early sun OIL her straight. thick hair
for moment and then, pouncing on
her suddenly. held her close for a mo-
ment and kissed her.
What nonsense he cried jubilant-
". "T need you. and you need me.
love you, and you are going to love
me. The suns coming up. and tomor-
row well be wed in London. you and
I, dear"
She tried to protest. but she couldn't
The truth and the JOY in his voice
oyerpowered her. He kissed her again
az the train rumbed into the dark
Central Bahnhof. and then. very ten
derly. he helped her out into the cold.
dingy dag. And neither Of them saw
that II was cold and dinsy.
Infantry Decides the Battle.
While there have been many discus
hons as to the relative value OF the
different branches Of an army. there