Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-03-19

morse. and connded in Max her 49, -
of seeing the MANNED Logger iass
las Summer had come. The chestnut
.-ses along the ChampsE lysees mao
long ago biossomed and now stooo ~
all their wealth Of green; up ana DOW
t =. l Seine steamed the crowded moucns
and hirondelies, through the hue ~
RivolI thronged happy tourists ~
great shopping expeditions, the Eoos,o
foo overlooked with eager-eyed stu
dents, art lovers and pesamisnc a.
no,sseurs Even the Avenue oe
popera eroaned with creahng CAP
wheels, moving pedestrians, sisntseers
ond the insistent stream Of street ven
doris. The titled. the rich, those ioI
their health and those without neal.n
had all left Paris-still MAX ana Se.'
worked, played. lived and loved on,
IN this CAV little Bohemia Of their own
making. and at home, their nttie
MARYLAND home, fabulous checks IRON
those children" kept the small house
hold together.
II was now June, throbbing fragrant
green June-only Paris has 1t, only .
dreamer can feel the delight OF 1t.
Max's invalid stood at the vine.
covered balcony looking out towalu
the Isle de La CITE, just a glimpse mere
of Notre Danes trim spires, q nasa
there of the new Hotel Dieu-e break
between some house unfolded tne
bright colors Of the flower Market
such a glowing Paris, beaudmi' tof
bulent, lovable.
He had grown used now 20 nS.en
for Belts hurried step on the ian"ns'
and listening, often smiled as nef
laugh rang through the house. ne
knew Just where two early STRANDS ..
hair ought to lay on Belts forehead
az abe shook her head Like q child 70
brush them back. he often wondered
at Belts Inconsistencies Of herself
her childish ways, and vague cnaim'
he felt, he knew and envied MAX ms
fair little companion.
Then, It all faded from his eyes
the spires, the red house tops tne
slender trees, as he heard Belts voice
long before she came in the open door.
"Isn't It too bad, mon ami, Max has
gone away for the day, but he told me
to come up and stay the whole ume
with you. Aren't you gladf Think OF
II. I am to amuse you, read to YOU
and II you're good perhaps I'll TAX
a little-well don't look 30 serious
Don't you think Max was lovely TO
snare me when I had just lots Of WORK
to do for him-so Bett talked on.
hardly seeing the strange look on his
face. For long time she $1,000
watching some children in the street
playing. Then she picked up some
blossoms to throw across the room to
tease him, but he had fallen asleep. It
was only q pretended sleep to hide
from her curious young eyes, the palm
the keenest pleasure he felt just to
watch her roaming over the ROOM
looking at his pictures, touching a
book here and there, with that queer
little raising of her eyebrows when
she seemed surprised+it all meant to
him what wounded his honor, weak
ened his self-respect to acknowledge
be was in love with Max's wife.
What was it Bett was saying as she
turned from the window-he hadn't
been listening-she was talking o.
Maryland, her mother and father. the
war, her little sister at school and Max
(of course he thought)-great, brave.
strong Max, whom she loved with all
her heart who had come across the
ocean to put his talents to better use
to return sometime, somewhat richer
to keep the little Maryland home. Her
brother7 Could she have said thatI
She and her brotherhood, how had he
mistaken all this time; why hadn't he
asked-what made him imagine them
to be husband and wife, neither Of
them ever said sol
Bett was standing again by the win
dow, leaning her head on two hands
high on the sash. Tired of staying in
doors she was Wishing Max would
come back. Looking out over the city,
looking, but seeing nothing. She
turned YEARLY to find her invalid
standing beside her, his honest grey
eyes looking straight into her soul,
and as she looked back her eyes fell
fop she knew