Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-12-05

my prince!" she said. 30 softly
that the words barely reached his
ears. 1--WE have proved that Love is
the king. He rules us all. He laughs
at locksmiths-and fathers-but he
does not laugh at sweethearts. Come.
"Mme. CASTOR returns long ago.
He handed her into the cab q mo-
ment later and drew the long. deep
breath Of one who goes down into
deep water. Then he followed after
her. The attendant closed the door.
Hobbs was a dependable fellow. He
drove far out Of the way. passing the
Inn Of the Stars twice at a lively
clip. and might have gone on forever
in his shuttlecock enterprise had not
the excited voice Of woman hailed
him from the sidewalk.
"Stop! Attendez! You! Mani"
He pulled up with a jerk. The drip
ping figure Of Marie ran up from be-
hind.
my mistress? Where is she!"
painted the girl.
"In heaven" said Hobbs promptly.
whereupon Marie pounded on the
glass window Of the cab.
Robin quickly opened the door.
"Wha-what Is it,"
Eyes, Marie," came in mufled tones
from the depths Of the cab.
"Mme. Castor returns long ago.
She is beside herself. She Is like q
maniac. She-has lost you; she cannot
explain toto mademoiselle's father.
Mon dieu. when he met her unex-
pectedly in the hall he shouts, Where
is my daughter!' And poor madame
she has but to shiver and stammef
and-run away! Oui She dash out
into the rain! It Is terrible. She
Bedelia broke In upon this jumbled
recitation. "Where have we been.
Robin? Where are we now?"
"Where are we. Hobbs?"
1--WE are just getting back to the
Inn Of the Stars, sir-descending. you
might say, sir" said Hobbs.
~Drive on. confound you"
The door slammed, and the final
block was covered in 30 short time
that Robins final kiss was still warm
ON Bedelia's lips when the gallant
cab rolled up to the portals Of the
Inn Of the Stars.
Mr.. Blithers had had q trying day
Of It. Besides other annoyances. his
wife raked him over the Goals for
what she was pleased to call hia
sanseless persistence In the face OF
what she regarded as unalterable op-
position on the part Of the cabinet
and house Of mobiles.
And 80 1t was that Mr.. Blithers.
feeling In need Of cheer. arranged q
little dinner for that evening at the
Inn Of the Stars. He invited hts prin-
cipal London lawyer and his wife.
also his secondary London lawyer.
his French lawyer and two attractive
young women who 1t appears were
related to the latter. although at
quite a distance. and then concluded
that 1t was best to speak to his own
wife about the little affair. She said
she couldn't even think Of going.
Maud might arrive that very night.
and she certainly was not going out
Of the hotel with such an event as
that in prospect.
"But Simpsons wife Is coming"
protested Mr.. Blithers. "and PERT.
cault's cousins. Certainly you must
come. Jolly little affair to iven us
up q BIT. Now. Lou
VI am quite positive that Lady
Simpson will change her mind when
she hears that Pericault's cousins
are going" said Mrs. Blithers scidly.
he thought for moment. Tf thatt
the case, Lou, you'll have to come. II
only to save my reputation" he said.
II didn't think It Of Pericault."
Mrs. Blithers relented. She went to
the dinner. and so did Lady Simpson.
despite Pericau1t's cousins, and the
only ones in the party who appeared
10 be uneasy were the cousins them
selves.
The millicnaire's table was placed
In the very center Of the dining room
and plates were laid for eight At
the last minute Mr.. Blithers ordered
the number increased to nine.
"My daughter may put in an ap-
pearance," he explained to Lady
Simpson. T have left word at the
hotel for her to come up II BY any
chance she happens to arrive on tho
evening train"
"Haven't you heard from her, Mr..
Blithers?" inquired the austere lady.
regarding the top Of his head with
IN lily directed lorgnon.
I'VE have," said he. "but not den-
nttely."
Two hours later Mr.. Blithers look
Cd at his watch again. The party
was quite gay; at least 80 per cent
dtsorderly.
"That train has been In for an
hour" said the host. II guess Maud
didn't come. left word for the hotel
to call me up II she arrived"
n also told 'em to send up any tale
gram that might come." he informed
his wife, who merely lifted her eye
brows. They had been lowered per-
csptibly in consequence OF the ebul-
Hence Of Pericault's cousinA
The vivacious young women were
attracting q great deal Of attention
to their table. Smart diners In the
immediate neighborhood appeared to
Be q tride shocked. Three digni6sd
looking gentlemen seated near the
door got up and left the room.
I'VE really must be going" said
Mrs. Blithers nervously.
sAll right" said Mr.. Blithers "Cali
the cars up, waiter"
Out In the wide, brilliantly lighted
foyer q few late stayers were walt
ing for their conveyances to be an
nouncsd. As the four departing mem
bers Of the Blithers party grouped
themselves near the big doors, impa-
tisnt to be Oh; . brass buttoned boy
came up and delivered . telegram 70
the host.
He wss on the point Of tearing open
the envelope when his eyes fsll upon
two people who had Just entered tho
hall from without, man ana woman
clad In raiucoats. At the same M
slant the former saw Mr.. Blithers.