Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-09-05

You consummate actress" ne e1-
claimed.
The girl turned from him quietly.
'Well," she asked, "what are You go
Ing to do about it7'
Through the silent house came the
long and imperative summons Of a
bell Jack swung about impatiently.
you'll have to come with me-" be
said. "Its the front door"
Deliberately Miss Celia Celtone set
tied herself in great chair, her hands
firmly grasping its sides II won't 60
a STEP" she affirmed.
Every well" Jack answered shortly.
and advanced to the open window. II
am here" he called. mo. this way;
round to the right That's It Now.
who Is thereT'
messenger" answered q concise
voice from below. "Come down and
sign for package"
Jack muttered an imprecation as bis
sleeve caught upon q nail "You Will
have to come with me now" he stern
ly told his prisoner; but as he released
his sleeve and turned about, no rebel
lious young woman awaited in the
great chair. The room was empty.
Headlong he rushed down the stair.
The street door stood open. (which
wayT he wildly inquired Of the mes
senger, but as that person was just
rounding the path Information could
not be gained from that source.
Mechanically Jack signed the book
held out to him, fuming silently that
this mocking, reckless maid should
have SO outwitted him. Still absorbed.
he drew the wrappings from the bum
die delivered at so late an hour. fall
ing 20 notice in his abstraction that
the name of the address was not his
own. A woman's dainty. purse pre-
sented itself to his view, while from
its violet interior he brought forth a
note. The handwriting was unmis-
takably his sisters. He read perplex.
edly:
Dearest Celia-we art rushing on to-
ward Buffalo. and from there I will for.
ward your purse with its valuables and
very necessaries. I have scandalized the
passengers by laughing continually. since
our hasty parting at the station. cant
forget the panic-stricken expression OF
YOUR face as my train moved on 30 un'
expectedly-you reaching after your de-
parting purse, I waving It frantcally IN
YOUR direction. declare ! should have
thrown It at you had It not been for your
watch inside. Why, oh, why. dear GIRL
could you not have been satisfied with my
assurance that had dropped the house
key into your purse, without handing !!
through the car window that might
show you Just where had placed 1T
can only hope that you. poor. penniIese
child in an unknown town. Will at ieas'
have the courage to wait upon my door
step until the messenger brings TINS 10 to
you. Remember I shall not rest until
you telegraph tomorrow. Lovingly.
CYNTHIA
Helplessly big Jack Hayden col.
lapsed into a chair. Remorse and
shame and regret settled deeply upon
him. And he had held this plucky, re-
sourceful little woman at the muzzle
Of a six shooter, had sneered at heE
unfortunately truthful tale, had driven
her from her only possible shelter
alone into the night. Her little white
blouse was very thin, he remembered,
and her jacket still clung to the porch
palings where she had relieved herself
of II. Ye gods and little fishes, but
he had been an ass and several kinds
of fool! Where could she 60 at this
hour of the night?
Desperately Jack wandered among
the flowers Of the garden. Something
moving at its farther end attracted bis
attention, but It was only the ham.
mock swayed by a breeze Closer in
spection revealed white object in the
depth Of the hammock and-yes-tt
was she, the little outcast girl. a
Persian kitten cuddled drowsily against
her cheek. With sudden, overwhelm.
ing wave Of tenderness Jack bent and
picked the girl up in his arms. No
word he spoke until he had placed her
safely inside the house.
"Good night" said Jack. "I'n be
back tomorrow"
Just one week later Miss Cynthia,
receiving no response to her insistent
ringing of the front door bell, passed
inquiringly round to the rear. A
swaying hammock here gave the only
evidence Of life about the place. A
mans broad and strangely familiar
shoulders showed above the back OF
the hammock, and against one Of these
shoulders rested woman's fair head.
"Jack," cried Miss Cynthia aghast,
land Celia Celtonei I didn't know you
had met. Who could have introduced
your"
"No one could" Jack answered
pleasantly, $50 we waited for you. Our
meeting was-er-rather unexpected"