Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-06-01

,, II have no doubt" she said In con-
clusion, "that you win nnd one much
more worthy Of you and one who Will
make you far happier than l."
81 shall find no one with either OF
these elements" I replied. But
shall bear my loss without adding to
your embarrassment"
A month has passed since parted
with Anita. She came to New York
yesterday and wrote me a note desir'
ing me to call upon her. ! went to
see her and found her In an uncomfort-
able state of mind. She did not tell
me at once what troubled her, but be-
gan to ask me lot Of questions.
glow did you become acquainted
with Mr.. Chichester?
my friend Chesborough wrote me
from Rome concerning him"
ibid you take pains to learn whether
or no be was what he purported to
beY'
mo; I took Chesborough's word for
It. I did not and do not now doubt
that he is the second son Of m earl.
the heir to the title having one foot In
the grave"
IT have learned that the title is an
empty one, the earl being without
enough income for himself. without
granting one to a younger son. Where
do you suppose Mr.. Chichester obtiin-
ed the money on which to move IN
our setY
I was on the horns of q dilemma.
The one horn was lie; the other was
the position Of one who had done
rival O favor and had taken advantage
Of the act with the lady in question. ]
avoided falling on either Of these horns
In this wise:
THAT question:" said. II DO not
feel called upon to answer. ! am not
Mr.. Chichesters financial secretary.
you introduced him to me. And
now when am in doubt about him
you decline to help me In a matter
involving the most important step
woman can take"
81 introduced Mr.. Chichester without
any expectation that you would be-
come engaged to him"
"You mean without expecting that he
would supplant you"
To this l made no reply.
why is it" abe continued. that you
men always hang together? l have
no woman friend who would treat
rival es you have treated Mr.. Chiches-
ter"
ut Is necessary for US men to stand
BY one another. We are 30 faulty that
at any failure to do SO We would fall
Ike a stack Of card houses"
Nonsense. But to return to this
question Of where Mr.. Chichester got
| the money be has been spending so
| lavishly. Do you mean to tell me that
you do not know?"
Again l was cornered. | made no
reply.
"You men IRE queer creatures. she
continued. If pressed too hard you
will lie for one another. will not
push you too far for fear you will do
80 now. 1t Is you who furnished Mr..
Chichester the means TO pose ns my
fance."
There was NO need to deny the state
ment, for she would not have innde II
unless positive Of 1t.
How did you learn that:' asked.
"a cousin Of mine Is employed IN q
bank through which check Of yours
payable to Mr.. Chichester passed he
saw 1t and gave me the information"
It was evident that Mr. Chichesters
hope Of marrying fortune In Miss DIG
Roode was gone. My heart beat fast
but l maintained my outward eQua
nimity. looked at the ceiling.
"Have you seen Mr.. Chichester late
ly?" Anita asked.
"Not for several days."
"He has gone to England. You have
lost your advances to him."
II can afford 1t. fortunately"
This money was for the support OF
my fance until after our marriage.
Will you permit me to return itY'
Certainly not"
an what way can show my ap-
probation Of your generosity. your
magnanimity?
Her voice trembled rs she spoke the
words and she bent her eyes to the
ground. These spoke far more plainly
to me than her words.
took her In my arms.