Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-03-24
ARI DERR
BIOGERS
CHAPTER I.
Copyright. 1913. by the Bebbs-Asn;ll
Company

CHAPTER I.
sweep no more, my lady"
|' YOUNG woman was crying bit
terly in the waiting room OF
|IHI the railway station at Upper
S AsQuewan Falls. N. 7.
A beautiful young woman? That Is
exactly what Billy Magee wanted to
know as, closing the waiting room
door behind him. he stood staring just
inside. Were the features against
which that frail bit Of cambria was
agonizingly pressed Of a pleasing con-
tour? The girls neatly tailored cordu-
roy suit and her hippant but charming
millinery augured we'll. Should he
step gallantly forward and inquire In
sympathetic tones as to the cause Of
her woe? Should he carry chivalry
even to the lengths Of Upper Asque-
wan Falls?
No; Mr.. Magee decided he would not
The train that had just rOared away
into the dusk had not brought him
from the region Of skyscrapers and
derby hats for deeds OF knight errant-
~ up state. Anyhow the girls tears
were none Of his business. A railway
station was natural place for grief
field Of many partings. upon whose
floor fell often In torrents the tears OF
those left behind. A friend. mayhap
q lover, had been whisked of into the
night by the relentless 5:34 local. Why
not a lover? Surely about such dain-
ty, trim figure as this cOurtiers hover
ed as moths about flame. Upon a
tender intimate sorrow 1t was not the
place of an unknown Magee to intrude.
he put his hand gently upon the latch
Of the door.
And yet dim and heartless and cold
was the interior Of that waiting room.
No place surely for a gentleman to
leave a lady sorrowful, particularly
when the lady was so alluring. Oh.
beyond question she was most allur-
ing. Mr. Magee stepped softly to the
ticket window and made low voiced
inquiry Of the man inside.
whats she crying about!' he asked.
Thanks" said the ticket agent. 81
get asked the same old questions so
often one like yours sort of breaks the
monotony. Sorry l can't help you.
She's a woman. and the Lord only
knows why women cry. And some
times l reckon even he must be a lit
tie puzzled. Now. my wife
81 think I'll ask her." conf1ded Mr..
Magee in a hoarse whisper.
"Oh, wouldn't" advised the man
behind the bars. Its best to let 'em
alone. They stop quicker If they amt
noticed"
"Rut she's In trouble" argued Billy
Magee.
"And SOIL you be most likely" re-
sponded the cynic. If you interfere.
NJ. stree. Take my advice. Shoot
old Asquewan's rapids in a barrel II
you want to. but keep away from cry
ing women"
Mr.. Magee. approaching. thought
himself again In the college yard at
dusk. with the great elms signing over
head and TIE fresh young voices OF
the glee club ringing out from the steps
NJ Il century old building. What were
he words they sang 50 many times?
Weep no more. my lady.
On. weep no more today!
He regretted that he could not make
use of them. But troubadours, he
.:ncw. went out Of fashion long before
railway stations came In. So bis re-
mark to the young woman was not at
ull melOdious:
"Can | do anythingT
A portion Of the handkerchief was
removed and an eye which. Mr.. Magee
noted. was Of an admirable blue. peep
ID out at him. To the gaze Of even
A solitary eye Mr.. Magee's aspect was
decidedly pleasing. Mr. Magee thought
he read approval in the lone eye OF
blue. When the lady spoke, however.
he hastily revised his opinion.
YES" she said. "you can do some
thing. You can 60 away-far. far
away"
Mr.. Magee stiffened. Thus chivalry
Jared in Upper Asquewan Falls In the
year 1911.
81 beg your pardon" he remarked.
You seemed to be in trouble, and l
thought l might possibly be of some
assistance"
The girl removed the entire handker'
chief. The other eye proved to be the
same admirable blue-a blue halfway
between the shade Of her corduroy suit
and that Of the jacky's costume IN the
"See the World-Join the Navy" poster
that served as background to her woe.
II don't mean to be rude" she ex-
planned more gently, "but-l'm crying,
you see. and a girl simply can't look
attractive when she cries"
IF I had only been regularly intro
duced to you and all that" responded
Mr.. Magee. II could make very
tlattering reply" And true one, ne
added to himself. for even In the faint
flickering light of the station he found
ample reason for rejoicing that the bit
of cambric was no longer agonizingly
pressed. As yet he had scarcely look
ed away from her eyes, but he was
dimly aware that up above wisps or
golden hair peeped impudently from
beneath saucy black hat
my grief" said the girl, us utterly
silly and-womanish. think 1t would
be best to leave me alone with It
Thank you for your interest And
would you mind asking the gentleman
who is pressing his face SO feverishly
against the bars to kindly close his
Window"
Certainly" replied Mr.. ,Magee. &c
turned away. As he did 80 he coliided
with a rather excessive lady. She
gave the impression Of solidity and
bulk. Her mouth was hard and know
ing. Mr.. Magee felt that she wanted
to vote and that she would say as
BsS fsferhR e@ Ps sys t. s%s sRs put Ths JAZZ ~
time honored use and Axed Mr.. Magee
i v,,tkh -