Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-12-28

car She should select for New Years
day was approaching, and she was an.
ticipating her promised reward.
Now, there was great risk in Ovens
consulting the only man who was like
ly to make her break her resolution
upon the character Of the prize she
was to win by keeping It. Underwood
seemed to be ObliviOus to her having
any other intention than what appear
ed on the surface. 1t Is not to be as
serted that Gwen did have any other
intention. It Is quite likely that II she
had she would not admit It to herself.
This was In November, and but six
or seven weeks remained for Gwen to
keep her resolution and win the car.
Therefore It Is not surprising that she
should be thinking about what kind Of
car she would ask her father to buy
for her. Underwood gave her the
points pro and con Of different cars
and recommended q make that be used
himself as one very easily handled
Would she like to try his car! She
thought she would, but feared for her
resolution. However, the time was 80
nearly up that she concluded to ven
ture.
The afternoon appointed for the drive
Indian summer weather prevailed, and
there was a genial languor In the air.
Gwen had been good" for ten months.
With 80 Indifferent q person she did
not think it dangerous to put out a
feeler. For the first time she received
q response. She tried hard to stop.
but the ruling passion was too strong
for her. She went further and was
met halfway. Presently Mr.. Under
wood, not waiting for new advance.
plunged into violent lovemaking. fol-
lowed by a declaration.
New Years morning came round.
and Mr.. Caruthers said to his daugh-
ter, "Well. Gwen, can you assure me
that you have done nothing during the
past year to draw any man into a pro-
posalr'
Gwen looked first at the ceiling. then
at the floor. then out Of the window.
but made no reply.
"You don't mean, sweetheart" con-
tinued the parent, shat you have lost
your carr
II don't know"
III you have I'm very sorry. have
put aside 5000 for the purpose"
Five thousandr'
"Yes."
Gwen was silent for awhile. then
said, "I'm afraid, papu. that In order
to win I'll have to get married"
Don't do that unless you can give
the man you marry your heart"
I'm not quite certain about that"
Whom have you drawn into your
netT
George UnderwOod-only fancy be
drew me into his net"
George Is a splendid fellow"
"And the car he uses Is splendid
car"
"What do you mean by thatT'
"Why. you see. papa. when the end
Of my probation was coming and !
was thinking what kind Of car
should have I asked Mr.. Underwood
the kind he would recommend. He rec
commended one he used himself and
offered to take me out in 1t. just
thought I would try him little teeny
weeny lit. Giving him an inch. he
took an ell"
The father burst into q laugh and.
taking his daughter in his arms. hug
ged her.
"Well. sweetheart" he said. what
are you going to dor
Il can't possibly give up the auto"
"How about marrying George?"
"Oh. I suppose I'll have to swallow
him"
Good! When you make up your
mind tell him 30 and I'll order the
car"
1--WE told him already"
There was another kiss, ind the par
ent went away to telephone his con-
ordinations to Underwood. Desiring
the young man for a son-in-iaw and
having been asked by him for permits
sion to pay his addresses to Gwen.
Underwood had been apprised Of the
situation and enabled to take advan-
tage Of 1t.
And now an excellent husband and
a numerous progeny have removed all
temptation from Mrs. Underwood to
dirt, and she Is narrowly watching her
Oldest daughter. fearing that she may
inherit her mothers delinquency.