Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-11-28
NUMBER 48

were 10 keen on seeing that aeroplane
I 1ust had to help you along"
Madge studied her escort with inter
est He had evidently started ous
upou this chase az unexpectedly -
she, for be was both hatless and coat
less. She put up her hand to smooth
her disheveled locks, flushing with
embarrassment that her sudden inter-
est in aeroplanes should have led her
into this peculiar position.
"Never mind" the young man SAID
kindly. "Give me permission and
will see you safely home. The stress
will be filed with tho returning crowd
at this time"
As Madge fingered iresolutely
heavy rumbling overhead caused both
to look up in apprehension; then with
out further warning down came .
heavy shower. Great sheets OF rain
swept the garden; It blew In their
faces; 1t soaked their rumpled hair;
It lay in little pools across the drive
way. The man caught her hand, draw.
ing her compellingly toward the house
In the background.
"Place seems to have been vacated
for the summer" he said Al they
found shelter beneath q veranda root,
otherwise you might ask for protec.
tion inside. The best thing under the
circumstances for you to do 70 70 wait
here while 60 for an umbrella"
Madge looked up at him Indignantly.
"Do you think would be as selfish
rs that" she said. "Why, you would
be drenched before you could reach the
gate"
The man smiled.
"Then we both had better stay
where we are for the present This
shower cannot last long,"
She flashed q glance at him as he
dropped easily into seat at her side;
then, as their eyes met, her Laughter
rippled merrily.
"Do you know" she said, 81 think
that in some unaccountable way !
have slipped back to my childhood
days. Surely 1t Is an unusual pro-
ceeding for a grownup to 90 racing
about chasing a big balloon With
"a big boy" the man finished laugh
ingly. He bent over her. Let US
keep up the game for awhile" he said
impulsively. "One Is not often priv.
ileged to return to the happy hours OF
childhood. Now, when I was a kid
we became acquainted by simply ask.
Ing two Questions-'What Is your
name, and where do you liver"
Every WELL" Madge agreed demure.
ly. what is your name little boy. and
where do you liver"
my name," the young man answered
gravely, "is Thomas Westinghouse
Chalmers, generally known as Tommy.
and live OH Beechwood avenue"
The girls eyes widened. why. %
do Iw she exclaimed.
"Your NUMBER Tommy asked ca.
gerly.
1.-TWO hundred forty.four. And
yoursT
I'VE are neighbors-near neighbors,"
the young man answered delightedly.
Mother and moved recently into the
house directly across from yours"
"Reallyr said Madge. "How very
strange that we should meet In this
er-informal manner"
isn't It" said Thomas Westinghouse
Chalmers. His eager eyes sought hers
1T will not be our last meeting II !
can help it." he added fervently.
The sun had removed all trace Of the
shower when he finally stood at the
entrance Of Madge's home bidding her
reluctant goodby. Then as he reach
ed the gateway he slowly retraced his
steps.
II have a confession to make" be
began 'diffidently. please pardon q
poor, lonely sinner. You see, I knew
that you lived In this house all along.
Fact Is spend most Of my time just
looking over here-and-and It was my
overwhelming desire to know you
which prompted me to deliberately fol.
low you this afternoon"
Madge looked up at him, gently &C.
cusing. Then her lips curved into an
inscrutable little smile. II knew that
you followed me-" she replied. u
hoped you would when I started"
And when her family returned later.
damp and weary after tiresome walt,
because Of overcrowded cars, they
found that young lady calm and serene
rocking to and fro on the veranda.
"You were wise to remain at home,
my DEAR" her mother said, "for gazing
at airships Is but foolish pastime."
Madge's eyes shone dreamily. II
think it's lovely one," she said.
How Madge made the acquaintance
Of the young man who had moved into
the house opposite none Of her family
could find out. The rest Of It was plain
enough. He called, he sent her flowers,
he took her out to ride In his car, he
proposed to her and was accepted, but
until Madge, as his wife, entered the
place and took possession no one knew
how she had angled 1t and caught II
on her hook when the rest Of them
were gazing skyward.