Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-01-09

"What are you going to dor I asked.
81 am going to see Herbert"
"Do you wish me to 60 with your
mo, grandma"
This was the first indication Of
strength I saw in her, and 1t was some
relief. She left me, and later ! heard
her pony phaeton on the gravel walk.
waited anxiously for her return.
When she came saw by the express
sion on her face that she had not sue
ceeded in her object
"WellY' said interogatveiy.
"I went to Herbert's house." she
said. "called him out and we had q
conference on the veranda. told him
I had heard that he and Elliot had had
an alteration. inferred that he had
seen Elliot kiss me and me resent the
act. begged that he would not con-
stitute himself my defender. he re-
piled that he had not done so, but ad-
mitted that he and Elliot had got into
a quarrel from words that had passed
between them relative to Elliot's act.
I then admitted that had encouraged
Elliot to kiss me.
HE looked very much surprised and
NAMED at this. I knew that his con-
tempt had passed from Elliot to me.
I told him that since I had exonerated
Elliot I should expect him to apologize
to Elliot for anything he might have
said under misunderstanding. After
some thought he told me that any wo-
man in such case, to prevent trouble
between two Of her men friends, would
assume the blame. There was no sin
In my doing so. The affair had gone
too far to be smoothed over. l argued
with him for some time, but could get
nothing out Of him. Then 1 came
away"
"You must see Elliot. The one who
has given the challenge is the one to
offer the olive branch"
II have seen Elliot. The challenge
had come from Herbert, Elliot having
struck him. Elliot apologized to me
humbly for having kissed me. He ad.
mitted that the scene in the billiard
room had been concocted to keep my
name out Of the quarrel. He would
gladly on my account put stop to It
but could not refuse challenge with
out being disgraced."
"And as the matter stands the two
men will meet tomorrow morningT
II suppose So"
The case was a knotty one. The
only way could see out OF 1t was fof
Marian to choose between the two men
She might tell Herbert that she loved
Elliot, but doubted If this would pre-
vent a meeting that had become pub
lie matter and with which she was not
known to be connected 1t would
probably save Elliot from injury, but
this would not be fair to Herbert
"The only hope see to prevent this
meeting, Marian" 1 said, putting my
arms about her, rs to tell them both
that you love Elliot That would,
think, dispose Of the matter. Herbert
would withdraw his challenge"
I could feel her shiver in my arms
at this alternative, but she said moth.
ing, though later she told me that Ell
liot had made her no proposal.
The day was now ended, and moth
ing had been accomplished. / deter
mined to leave Marian free to act for
herself till the last minute; then If she
did not act would endeavor to force
her to do so. We remained In the
same room through the night without
disrobing. Aster II o'clock I fell asleep
on a lounge. I was aroused at dawn
by Marian.
"Come," she said.
Without asking her where We were
to 20 went with her. I knew. She
knew where the meeting would take
place, and we proceeded there. Since
Elliot had not proposed to her I could
not see what she would do. We wait
ed an hour a short distance from the
field and finally saw one party come
on to it, then the other. The seconds
were engaged at the preliminaries
when Marian advanced, I following
her.
what will stop this AFFAIR." she
asked.
There was no reply from either
Marian asked all to withdraw except
the principals.
II can think Of only one way to
stop It," she said. II love one Of you
gentleman. VIII you both agree to
shake hands If name the one I lover
At this they were all attention. Then
Herbert nodded an assent and Elliot
followed.
1.-The one who kissed me-" said
Marian and covered her face with hel
hands.
Elliot started for her, but I was toe
quick for him and carried her away.
The duel did not take place. There
Is q sequel to this story, but 1t Is
long one. Elliot was q long while ir
gaining Marian's consent to marry him
That kiss kept him from another fol
mora than a wear,