Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-09-14
Diana
She Started as ''the
Kid"
By EUNICE BLAKE

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Hackstaff was New York city man
who, when It became necessary FOR
him to choose. life occupation. not
fancying being cooped up between
walls, concluded to go in for ranching.
Having the wherewithal to set him.
self up as a ranchman, he purchased
q tract Of land In the far west, built
q spacious house on it and stocked It
Hackstaff had no intention Of bury
Ing himself alone In wilderness. BE
had plenty Of friends who he knew
would be glad to visit him, and on
planning his house he arranged for
their entertainment. The first thing
he did after getting things in order
was to issue invitations for party
Of ladies and gentlemen to come out
und spend a month with him This
was the month Of August, and when
September came the host arranged fol
q hunting party, inviting his guests to
put In another month In that way.
Some accepted and some declined.
Among those who declined was Ed
ward Darlington. man considerably
older than Hackstaff. whom the latter
had met abroad. but whose family he
had never seen.
When Darlington left the ranch prep.
arations were being made to start on
the hunt OH the 18th of September, the
party consisting Of six men and four
women. Soon after he reached home
he telegraphed to Hackstaff, "Can
transfer my invitation for the hunt to
a member Of my familyT' The reply
was Certainly" The next day anoth.
er telegram was received, Frank leaves
this evening at 6 o'clock"
Meanwhile one of the women who
were to compose the party received
word that she was needed at home.
This decided an intimate friend to
go with her The number Of women
was thus reduced to two. and these
two decided that the preponderance Of
men would be SO great that they had
better return with the women who
were going home. They were not urG-
ed to remain because the men, since
the number Of women Of the party had
been 80 greatly reduced. preferred not
to be encountered with any women at
all.
Frank Darlington arrived late at
night. The hunting party was to start
at 4 o'clock the next morning. Since
they must arise early all turned in
early, Hackstaff having first arranged
for the reception Of the new guest At
o'clock all were called, and Hack
staff. having dressed himself, went out
into the hall and raped at the door OF
the room that he had assigned to young
Darlington.
I'm a minute" was the reply.
Hackstaff opened his eyes. The voice
sounded distinctly feminine. What did
1t mean? There was no woman In the
house, not even cook.
"This Is very singular" muttered
Hackstaff. II wonder II Darlington
has sent a boy so young that his voice
hasn't changed. I hope not. We don't
wish to be encountered with kid"
Presently the door Of the newly ar.
rived guests room opened. and girl
stepped forth. She was about eighteen
years old, hearty looking and dressed
In hunting costume, the lower part
Of which consisted Of pair Of bloom.
ers. This apparel caused her to look
much younger than she was.
"For heavens sake" exclaimed Hack
staff. aghast. "Who are your"
"Why, I'm Frank Darlington. Didn't
papa arrange 1t all?'
Frank? Franks a male name"
''Oh. dear! That's just like papa; he
never remembers that My name Is
Frances. came out to join your hunt
ing party"
"That's too bad. The women have
all backed out"
"All backed out!"
Eyes"
"Why have they done that?"
I explained to her how 1t had hap
pened, but did not mention the fact
that the women had all left the camp.
She listened to me with a look of dis
appointment on her face till had fin
ished, then said:
"Well, l suppose l must stay here
with those who are left and miss the
hunt"
There are none left" said.
mot one?"
"Not one"
There was silence for few minutes,
while the girls features were working
convulsively; then a food of tears
gushed forth. This melted Hackstaff
at once.
Don't cry, little GIRL" he said. I'VE
will find some way out Of It"
"I'm not little girl; I'm a woman.
I'm eighteen"
"You don't mean It l thought you
were about twelve"
BY this time the members Of the
party began to emerge from their
rooms. At seeing Hackstaff talking
with a girl In tears whom they sup
posed to be a child they were all much
astonished.
Gentlemen" said Hackstaff, there
has been a serious mistake. This is
the Frank who was to join Us. She is
Miss Frances Darlington"
The men all bowed.
"She has come out here for a hunt,
supposing there were to be ladies in
the party" continued the host Zone
of two things must be done with her.
! must either send her right back home
q we must take her with us. winch
shall It beT'
There was silence for few mo-
meats; then one Of the guests said
family: Take her along. I don't be-
lieve she'll be much Of an encum-
brance. We can carry her Rart Of
the time. I'll do my share Of It"
This was echoed with evident reluc-
lance by the others.
"You Cont carry me-" snapped the
girl. wiping away her tears. tive done
a lot Of hunting. and don't ask any