Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-08-31


l. small hand and, exclaiming,
with simple honesty, why, l
don't want itw followed Fan
chon out into the sunshiny yard, where
they came to halt and surveyed each
other.
Penrod stared awkwardly at Fan
chon, no other occupation suggesting
itself to him, while Fanchon, with the
utmost cOolnesA made very thorough
visual examination Of Penrod, favoring
him with an estimating scrutiny which
lasted until lie literally wiggled. Final
ly she spoke.
Where do you buy your ties" she
asked.
What"
Where do you buy your neckties?
Papa gets his ut Skoone's. You ought
to get yours there. I'm sure the one
you're wearing isn't from Skoone's."
"Skoone's Penrod repeated
"Skoone'sT
"On Fifth avenue" said Fanchon.
"It's q very smart shop, the men say"
MEM echoed Penrod In a hazy
whisper. Men"
"Where do your people go In sum-
mer2" inquired the lady. I'VE go to
Long Shore, but 50 many middle class
people have begun coming there man.
ma thinks of leaving. The middle
classes are simply awful. don't you
think?"
"WhatY
They're 80 boorjaw. You speak
French, Of cOurse"
"MeT
1--WE ran over to Paris last year. It's
lovely, don't you think? Don't you
love the Rue de Ia PaixT
Penrod wandered In labyrinth.
This girl seemed to be talking, but her
words were dumfounding, and Of
course there was no way for him to
know that he was really listening to
her mother. 1t was his first meeting
with one Of those grownup little girls,
wonderful product Of the winter apart
ment and summer hotel, and Fanchon,
an only child, was a star of the brand.
He began to feel resentful.
~ suppose" she went on. "lll find
everything here fearfully western.
Some nice people called yesterday,
though. Do you know the Magsworth
Bittses? Auntie says they're charm
ing. Will Roddy be ut your partyT
81 guess he WILL" returned Penrod,
finding this Ineligible. THE mutt"
Really Fanchon exclaimed airily.
Aren't you great pals with him"
"What's 'pals'T'
Good heavens. Don't you know
what 1t means to say you're great
pals with any one? You are an odd
child"'
1t was too much.
"Oh, bugsw said Penrod.
This bit Of rutiianlsm had curious
effect. Fanchon looked upon him with
sudden favor.
81 like you, Penrod," she said In an
odd way, and whatever else there may
have been in her manner there certain
ly was no shyness.
"Oh, bugsw This repetition may
have lacked gallantry. but 1t was ut
tered in no very decided tone. Penrod
was shaken.
"Yes, do.' She stepped closer to
him. smiling. your hair Is ever so
pretty"
Sailors parrots swear like mariners,
they say, and gay mothers ought to re-
alize that all children are initiative, for
as the precocious Fanchon leaned to-
ward Penrod the manner In which she
looked into his eyes might have made
thoughtful observer wonder where
she had learned her pretty ways.
Penrud was even more confused
than he had been by her previous mys-
teries, but his confusion was OF dis
tinctly pleasant and alluring nature.
He wanted more Of It. Looking inten-
tionally into another persons eyes. Is
an act unknown to childhood, and Pen
rods discovery that 1t could be done
was sensational. He had never
thought Of looking into the eyes OF
Marjorie Jones.
Despite all anguish, contumely. tar
and Maurice Levy, he still secretly
thought Of Marjorie, with pathetic
constancy, as his beau though that
Is not how he would have spelled II.
Marjorie was beautiful; her curls were
long and the color Of amber; her nose
was straight, and her freckles were
honest; she was much prettier than
this accomplished visitor But beauty
Is not all.
81 dor breathed Fanchon softly.
She seemed to him fairy creature
from some roster world than this. So
humble is the human heart 1t glori-
fies and makes glamorous almost any
poor thing that says to 1t, Il like
you"
Penrod was enslaved. He swallow
ed, coughed, scratched the back OF his
neck and said disjointedly:
"Well-I don't care-if you want to.
I Just as soon"
We'll dance together" said Fan
chon, "at your party"
II guess 80. Just as soon."
Don't you want to, PenrodT
"Well, I'm willing to-"
mo. Say you want tor
"Welr'-
He used his toe as a gimlet, boring
into the ground, his wide open eyes
staring with intense vacancy at a but
ton on his sleeve. His mother appear
ed upon the porch in departure, call
ing farewells over her shoulder to Mrs.
Gelbraith, who stood in the doorway.
"Say itw whispered Fanchon.
"Well, just as soon"
She seemed satisfied.
[To BI CONTINUED
Winning q Pleasant Look.