Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-12-01

his tender care and the advantages he
could bestow upon her make her forget
the question of age? Besides, he was
almost sure that she cared for him.
The captain was man of prompt
action. In the field he had been dis
unguished for his decisiveness and en-.
ergy. He would see her and plead his
cause again in person. Age! What
was It to come between him and the
one he loved!
In two hours he stood ready. In light
marching order. for his greatest bat
tie. He took the train for the old
southern town In Tennessee where she
lved.
Theodore Deming was on the steps
uf the handsome. porticoed old man
sion enjoying the summer twilight
when tn, captain entered the gate and
came up the gravelcd walk. She met
him with smile that was free from
embarrassment AS the captain stood
On the step below her the difference In
their ages did not appear so great He
was tall and straight and clear eyed
and Drowned; she was in the bloom Of
lovely womanhood.
II wasn't expecting you" said The
odora. "but now that you've come you
may sit on the step. Didn't you get
my letter."
II did" said the captain, land that's
why came. say. now. Theo. recon-
slider your answer. won't your"
Theodore smiled softly upon him
he carried his years we'll. She was
really fond of his strength. his whole
some looks. his manliness. Perhaps
IT,
mo. no." she said. shaking her head
positively; Its out Of the question. !
like you a whole lot. but marrying
won't do. My age and yours are-but
don't make me say 1t again. told you
In my letter"
The captain flushed little through
the bronze on his face. He was 81
lent for awhile. gazing sadly into the
twilight Beyond line Of woods that
We could see was field where the boys
In blue had once bivouacked on their
march toward the sea. How long ago
II seemed now! Truly. fate and Fa-
ther Time had tricked him sorely.
Just a few years interposed between
himself and happiness.
Theodora's hand crept down and
rested In the clasp Of bis nrm brown
one. She felt at least that sentiment
that is akin to love.
Don't take 1t so hard, please" she
said gently. "It's ali for the best I've
reasoned 1t out very wisely all by my
self. Some day you'll be glad didn't
marry you. II would be very nice and
lovely for awhile-but, just think! In
only few short years whit different
tastes we would huve! One Of us would
want to sit by the Preside and read.
and maybe nurse neuralgia or rheuma-
tism of evenings. while the other would
he crazy for balls and theaters and
late suppers. No. my dear friend.
While 1t Isn't exactly January and
May. It's a clear case Of October and
pretty early In June"
I'D always do what you wunted me
to do. Theo. II you wanted to-
mo. you wouldn't. You think now
that you would. but you wouldn't.
Please don't ask ME any more"
The captain had lost his buttle. But
he was gallant warrior. and when he
rose to make his final adieu his mouth
was grimly set and his shoulders were
squared.
He took the train for the north that
night. On the next evening he was
back In his room. where his sword was
hanging against the wall. He was
dressing for dinner, tying his white tie
into a very careful bow. And at the
same time he was INDUCING In pen.
sive soliloquy.
"'Pon my honor, I believe Theo was
right after all. Nobody can deny that
she's peach, but she must be twenty
eight, at the very kindest calculation"
For you see. the captain was only
and his sword had never been
drawn except on the parade ground at
Chattanooga. which wRs as near as
he ever got to the Spanish-American
wal.
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