Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-06-05
NUMBER 23.

With all my own faults, I am Ger
tainly conscientious. mean by this
II do wrong / don't attempt TO ex-
cuse myself. I deemed It my duty to
inform my hostess that she was bar.
boring a serpent In my Hancee. But
I found it very difficult to DO this II
involved my first informing Gwen that
I had seen her steal There was re-
mote possibility that she could explain
her act, but I could not see how she
could do so satisfactorily.
When dinner was announced dread
ed to go into the dining room Pulling
myself together, did 50. And that
there was something on my mind was
very apparent. There were others
present besides the two girls, ind all
were dampened by my saying nothing
and looking as If had received stab.
When the dinner was over Gwen led
me into the drawing room and, turning
to me, said:
Something troubles you. Tell me
what it is"
l stammered an account Of my being
In the drawing room alone In the
cleaning, Of her entry and, supposing
that she was unobserved, Of my seeing
her appropriate the statuette.
ut is WELL" she said. that you have
discovered q serious blemish In me be-
fore tying yourself up to me for Life.
My maternal grandmother was klep-
tomaniac. Had she not been a lady
she would have doubtless spent the
most Of her life in prison. Since she
was a lady she was followed by wo-
man employed to return what she stole
or pay the bills. I should have had
the strength to tell you that have In.
herited this mania, that you might cast
me Off. | can only say that had not
The moral strength to do So"
Here was failing which, being In.
herited. Gwen was not responsible for.
II she should become a confirmed In
valid. loving her as did would not
hesitate to marry her and devote my
life to her care. Should I cast her on
for this other physical defect, for
which she was no more accountable
than the other?
walked away from her to another
part Of the room. This matter was Of
too much importance for me to decide
on impulse. After pacing back and
forth few minutes I stopped before
Gwen. who had sunk upon sofa. and
said to her:
Seven, give me till tomorrow to de-
eide what course I shall take In this
matter"
She made no reply, but left the room.
Later Emily Tucker came In and said
to me:
"What has happened"
II can't tell you now. must have
till tomorrow morning"
She, too, retired, and again was
alone. Taking my hat and cane, left
the house that I might have the dome
Of heaven under which to think. I did
not return till near midnight. Seeing
a light In Ovens room, called to her
softly. The window was open, and she
heard me.
81 have decided" I said. "Come
down and will tell YOU"
She had not gone to bed and In
few minutes came down on to the
porch, where was, and, approaching.
stopped short distance from me.
II love you so well that can't give
you up," l said. I'm screening you
from the consequences Of your misfor'
tune shall be far happier than pass
ing lifetime without you"
supposed that she would stand
mute. I would approach her and take
her in my arms; her head would drop
on my breast in token that she accept
ed the sacrifice. What was my aston
ishment when she broke into a laugh.
And was still more surprised to hear
It echoed from an upper window. ]
recognized the echo as Emily's.
Stupid" Gwen said to me, "how
could you have been deceived by such
q shallow trick? My kleptomaniac
grandmother was minister's wife and
inherited nothing but goodness. When
I entered the drawing room this even.
Ing I knew you were there and took
the statuette on purpose that you
should see me. carried It to EN- and
told her that had given your romance
a severe test. am happy that you
have stood it valiantly."
For the next two hours We relapsed
into billing and cooling.
I am free to confess that Ovens
common sense and practicability have
counted for far more than my TO
nance. / have missed a certain COM
panionship Of appreciation In my wife.
but one may enjoy idealty alone.
while management Is necessary for all
parties concerned. Whenever I have
talked "in the clouds Gwen has taken
me by the coattail and pulled me down
to earth. When fits Of generosity that
we could not afford have seized upon
me Gwen has locked up the family
purse where could not get at It. Ev-
cry year that We have Hyed together
has found us In better condition than
the year before. Our prosperity Is en-.
tirely due to my wife's management