Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-10-24

all because l am 30 accustomed tc
having my own way"
"In that case 1t Is all very easy tc
understand" said he, "for I have al
ways longed to be in position where
I could have my own way. am sure
that II I could have it I would be q
most overbearing. selfish person"
we must inquire at the Office fol
the letter, dear, before
1T may have dropped behind the
chair" said the girl
Right" cried R. Schmidt, dragging
the chair away and pointing In tri
umph at the missing letter. He stoop
ed to recover the missive, but she was
quick to forestau him. With q little
gasp she pounced upon 1t and. like q
child. proceeded to hold 1t behind her
back. He stiffened. remember that
you said 1t was from your father"
i She hesitated an instant and then
held It forth for his inspection, rather
adroitly concealing the postmark with
her thumb. It was addressed to Miss
B. Guile, 8. 8. Jupiter. New York City,
N. T." and typewriter.
1T Is only fair that we should be
quits In every particular" she said.
with frank smile.
He bowed. "A letter Of introduo
tion." he said. I'm the strictest sense
Of the word. You have already had
my card thrust upon you. 80 every.
thing is quite regular. And now 1t is
only right and proper that I should
see what has become Of your chairs.
Permit me-
Really, Miss Guile" interposed her
companion, this Is quite irregular.
may say it Is unusual. Pray allow me
to suggest
'T think 1t Is only right that Mr..
Schmidt should return good for evil,
interrupted the girl gayly. "Please In
quire, Mr.. Schmidt. No doubt the deck
steward will know"
Again the prince bowed. but this
time there was amusement instead Of
uncertainty In his eyes. It was the
first time that any one had ever
urged him. even by inference, to
"fetch and carry" Moreover, she was
extremely cool about 1t. as one who
exacts much Of young men in serge
suits and outing caps. He found him
self wondering what she would say II
he were to suddenly announce that he
was the Prince Of Graustark. The
thought tickled his fancy, account
ing. no doubt, for the even deeper
bow that he gave her.
"They can't be very far away" he
observed quite meekly. "Oh, say,
steward! One moment, here" A deck
steward approached with alacrity.
"What has become Of Miss Guile'a
chair?"
The young man touched his cap
and beamed joyously upon the fair
young lady.
zach! See how I have forgot! It is
here! The best place on the deck-on
any deck. See! Two-side by side
above the door, away from the draft
see, in the corner. ha, ha! Yes!
Two by side. The very best. Miss
Guile complains of the draft from the
door. I exchanged the chairs. Seel
But forgot to speak. Yes! See!"
And, sure enough. there were the
chairs of Miss Guile and her compan-
ion snugly slowed away in the cor
ner, standing at right angles to the
long row that lined the deck. the foot
rests pointed directly at the chair R.
Schmidt had just vacated. not more
than q yard and half away.
"How stupid" exclaimed Miss
Guile. This is much better. So sorry,
Mr.. Schmidt, to have disturbed you.
I abhor drafts. don't your"
"Not to the extent that shall move
out of this one," he replied gallantly.
"now that I've got an undisputed
claim to 1t. Are you not going to sit
down, now that we've captured the
disappearing chairf"
mo-" she said. and he fancied he
saw regret in her eyes. II am going
| to my room-if I can find 1t. No doubt
it also is lost. This seems to be a day
for misplacing things"
AT any rate, permit me to thank
you for discovering me, Miss Guile"
"Oh. I daresay ! shall misplace you.
too. Mr.. Schmidt" She said 1t 80 in
solently that he flushed as he drew
himself up and stepped aside to allow
her to pass. For an instant their eyes
met, and the sign Of the humble was
not to be found In the expression OF
either.
"Even that will be something for
me to look forward to, Miss Guile"
said he. Far from being vexed, she
favored him with q faint smile Of
was 1t wonder or admiration?
Then she moved away. followed BY
the uneasy lady-who was old enough
| to be her mother and wasn't.
Robin remained standing for a mo-
ment, looking after her, and some
how he felt that his dream was not
yet ended. She turned the corner OF
the deck building and was lost to
sight. He sat down, only to arise al
most instantly, moved by q lvelier
curiosity than he ever had felt be-
fore. Conscious of certain feeling
Of stealth, he scrutinized the cards In
the backs Of the two chairs. The
steward was collecting the discarded
steamer rugs farther down the deck.
and the few passengers who occupied
chairs appeared to be snoozing-all OF
which he took in with his first ap-
praising glance. "Miss Guile" and
"Mrs. CASTOR" were the names he
read.
"Americans," he mused. "Young
lady and chaperon. that's 1t. 4 real
American beauty! And Blithers loud
ly boasts that his daughter Is the
prettiest girl In America! Shades OF
Venus! Can there be such thing on
earth as q prettier girl than this
onei Can nature have performed the
impossible? Is America 30 fuu OF
lovely girls that this one must take
second place to q daughter OF Blith-
ersf I wonder II she knows the Inn
perial Maud. I'll make It q point to
inquire"
Moved by q sudden restlesmess. he
decided that he was in need OF exer-
ciae. After completely circling the