Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-10-03

TITS rather uncertain, Mr.. Blither1,"
Baid she and no more.
MI. Blithers famed himself In pa
tience for q moment or two. Then he
looked at his watch.
Getting along toward dinner time
up our way" he ventured. Everybody
seemed rather intent on the game,
which was extremely one sided
"Good work." shouted King as Fan
ME FELTON, managed to return an easy
service.
Lieutenant Dank applauded vigor-
ously. "Splendidp' he cried out "Cap-
italy placed"
"They speak remarkably good Eng
lish, don't theyT' said Mr.. Blithers in
an audible aside to Mrs. King.
She smiled. "Ofacers In the Grau-
stark army are required to speak Eng
lish, French and German, Mr.. Blithers."
'Its a good idea," said he. MAUD
speaks French and Italian like a ma
tive. She was educated in Paris and
Rome, you know. Fact is, she's lived
abroad great deal"
'Is she at home now, Mr.. Blithers"
Depends on what you'd call home,
Mrs. King. We've got so many don't
know just which is the real one. II
you mean Blitherwood, yes, she's
there. Course there's our town house
in Madison avenue, the place at New
port, one at Nice and one at Pasadena,
Cal, you know, and little shack in
London. By the way, my wife says
you live quite near our place in New
York"
1--WE live in Madison avenue, but it's
rather long street, Mr.. Blithers. Just
where is your houseY she inquired
rather spitefully.
He looked astonished. "You surely
must know where the Blithers house
is at
"Gamew shrieked Fannie FELTON,,
tossing her racket in the air, victor.
They're through" said Mr.. Blithers
in q tone Of relief. He shifted his legs
and put his hands on his knees, sug-
gesting q readiness to arise on an in
stants notice.
"shall we try another setT called
out the prince.
make it Doubtless" put in Lieutenant
Dank, and turned to Nellie. "Shall We
take them onT'
eAnd doubles it was, much to the dis
gust Of Mr.. Blithers. He sat through
the nine games, manifesting an inter
est he was far from feeling.
To his utter amazement at the con-
clusion of the game the four players
made q dash for the house without
even so much as a glance In his direc-
ton. It was the prince who shouted
something that sounded like now for
a shower! as he raced up the terrace,
followed by the other participants.
Mr.. Blithers said something violent
under his breath, but resolutely re-
tanned his seat. 1t was King who
glanced shyly at his watch this time
and subsequently shot a questioning
look at his wife. She was frowning In
considerable perplexity and biting her
firm, red lips. Count Quinnox coolly
arose and excused himself with the re-
mark that he was of to dress for din
ner. He also looked at his watch,
which certainly was an act that one
would hardly have expected Of diplo-
mat.
"Well, WELL" said Mr.. Bnthers pro-
foundly. Then he looked at his own
watch-and settled back In his chair,
q somewhat dogged compression about
his jaws. He was not the man to be
thwarted. "You certainly have a cozy
little place here, King" he remarked
after q moment or two.
1--WE like it." said King, twiddling
his fingers behind his back. Humble,
but homelike."
Mrs. Blithers has been planning to
come over for some time, Mrs. King.
told her she oughtn't to put 1t on
be neighborly, don't you know. That's
me. I'm for being neighborly with my
neighbors. But women, they-well,
you know how it Is, Mrs. King. Al
ways something turning up to keep
'em from doing the things they want
to do most. And Mrs. Blithers has so
many sociable obi I beg, pardon"
II was Just wondering If you would
stay and have dinner with us, Mr..
Blithers," said she, utterly helpless.
She couldn't look her husband In the
eye-and 1t was quite fortunate that
she was unable to do so, for it would
have resulted in laughing duet that
could never have been explained.
"Why," said Mr.. Bnthers, arising
and looking at his watch again, "bless
my SOUL it is past dinner time, isn't
It? Ihad no idea 1t was so late. Pom
my soul, it's good of you, Mrs. King!
You see, we have dinner at z up at
Blitherwood, and-I declare, it's half
past now! I don't see where the ti4e
has gone. Thanks! will stay If you
really mean to be kind to a poor old
beggar. Don't do anything extra on
my account, though-just your regular
dinner, you know. No frills, If you
please" He looked himself over II
some uncertainty. "Will this rag OF
mine dor
"Pray do not think Of it!" she cried
1.-THE men change, Of course, after
they've been playing tennis, but We
we-well, you see, you haven't beer
playing" she concluded quite breath
lessly.
At that instant the sprightly Feltons
dashed pellmell down the steps and
across. the lawn homeward, shriekinl
something unintelngible to Mrs. King
as they passed.
"They are dears," said Mrs. King.
"The-er-prince attracted by eithel
one Of 'emT he queried.