Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-02-13
CHAPTER VII.
Drama Of the War Mule.

Carruthers, my friend, your friend and
everybody his friends"
"And now what have you to say to
me, boy, the oldest friend you've got
In America who hasn't seen you for
days that have been too long?" said
that Madam Whitworth. who was seat
ed at my side. and as she spoke she
turned one lovely bare shoulder In the
direction Of my uncle, the General Rob-
ert, and the beautiful Nile. Sue and
also Buzz, as II to shut them away
from her and me In a little space Of
world just for two people.
II can say with truth, madam, that
your loveliness tonight Is but the flow
ering Of my suspicious Of 1t that morn.
ing upon the railroad train." answer
ed her in words that were a very nice
translation Of what that fine young
Cossack had once said to me at the
Chateau de Grez Of my own Towering
into rose chiffon after an afternoons
hunting with him In corduroys. And
In truth spoke no falsehood to that
Madam Whitworth, for she was Of a
very great beauty Of body, very much
Of which was In view from a scanti-
ness of bodice that ! had never seen
excelled In any ballroom In France.
II knew you for a poet from that
adorable black mop which I see you
have very nicely plastered In an exact
imitation Of Buzz Clendenning's red
one" she answered me, with q laugh.
Follow me from the ballroom Just
after supper at midnight for q half
hours chat alone in a place I know,
and don't let either the general or the
governor see you," she then said in an
undertone as the Gouverneur Faulkner
bent forward and began a laughing
conversation with her.
II WILL" I answered her under my
breath, and I leaned back In my chair
80 that the Gouverneur Faulkner could
more conveniently converse with her.
And to that end he placed his arm
across the back Of my chair, and thus
I sat In his embrace with my shoulder
pressed into his.
AT midnight" I whispered, while l
bent for q second to kiss the hand Of
the beautiful Madam Whitworth as
she left the room. As I raised my head
from the salutation I encountered the
eyes Of the Gouverneur Faulkner,
which looked into mine with an express
sion Of calm question. And for mo
ment I let the woman rise superior to
the raven attire. and looked back into
those eyes, In which saw the mys.
tery Of the dawn star, as would have
gazed Roberta, marquise Of Gree and
Bye, had she been attired in the white
tulle and lace abandoned In that New
York. Then I beat her back down into
my heart and gave him the smile OF
fealty that was, his due from Robert
Carruthers, his friend.
The hours that followed my entry
into the ballroom in the mansion OF
the exalted Gouverneur Faulkner were
like minutes Of time that dropped from
q golden clock Of Joy. I danced on
feet that were strong wings to glide
over q floor that was many colored
cloud from the reflection Of the soft
lights and the silken skirts which ruff
fed over n. And, what was most en-
joyable to me in this case, ! glided In
whatever direction pleased me and
took with me the armful OF cloud.
which was the girl with whom was
dancing, on long swoops Of my own
will instead Of being led In my lights
BY another, as had always before been
the case with my dancing. 1t was the
most of a Joy that I had ever expert.
enced, and as l 80 enjoyed that free
dom did not know how it was that
I should have such a feeling Of dissat'
tsfaction when beheld that beautiful
Madam Whitworth dancing within the
arms of the Gouverneur Williamson
Faulkner. I blushed that should be
10 unworthy. with such an unreason'
able fury In my heart, and looked
away so that seemed not to zee the
smile that he sent to me over the head
Of the very sweet Belle girl In blue
rufies and silver slippers ! was guio'
ing past him In the trot Of fox.
It Is with burning Of countenanee
that arises from hot shame. which
do not even to this moment exactly
understand, that ! recall to my mind
that half hour which Mr.. Robert Car
ruthes Of Gree and Bye spent with
the beautiful Madam Patricia Whit
worth In one Of the deep windows that
looked from the private study OF bis
excellency Of the state Of Harpeth
over into the great hills that surround
the city. Things happened In this
wise: That Madam Whitworth made
the commencement Of our duel Of In
tsllisences BY assuming that I was
sfmple French infant before whom she
could dangle the very sweet bonoon OF
affection and take away from It Z
treasure that It held In the hollow Of
In hand a q sacred trust; that Mad
an Whitworth did not realize that In
stsad Of q very small young boy nom
ny Paris, whose eyes were closed IKE
thoss oe q very young cat shs was
dealing with the very wicked girl who
placed the word devil" behind the
word dare"
was that girl
n suppose Il = absurd for . staid
old matron IKE myself to b Jealous.
really jealoud, at seeing . child Hike
| you being consumed alive By : lce Of
sinperlng misses In pink and blue chif-
Ifon plnafores. who ought to b IN thsir
a.n.4 ess s.l11R ~ I n.ye -