Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-03-05

and clear. James Pearson, standing by
the window Of his rooms at the board.
Ing house, looking out at the snow GOV.
cred roofs sparkling in the sun, was
miserable. When he retired the night
before it was with solemn oath to
forget Caroline Warren altogether; to
f! put her and her father and the young
cad, her brother, utterly from his mind,
never to be thought Of again.
Why-why had he been so weak as
to yield to Captain Elisha's advice7
Why had he not acted like a sensible,
self respecting man. done what he
knew was right and persisted In his
refusal to visit the Warrens? Whyi
Because he was an idiot, Of course-a
hopeless idiot, who had got exactly
what he deservedl Which bit Of phi.
losophy did not help make his reflec.
tions less bitter.
After breakfast he went to his room,
seated himself at his desk and took the
manuscript Of his novel from the
drawer.
He was still sitting there, twirling
an Idle pencil between his fingers,
when he heard steps outside his door,
Some one knocked.
"Well, what Is it?" he asked
His landlady answered.
"Mr. Pearson" she said, "may I see
your
He threw down the pencil and, ris.
ing, walked to the door and opened It.
Mrs. Hepton was waiting In the hall.
.. She seemed excited.
"Mr. Pearson" she said, "will you
step downstairs with me for a mo.
ment? I have surprise for you"
"a surprise? What sort of a sur.
priseT
"Oh, q pleasant one-at least think
It is going to be pleasant one for all
Of US. But I'm not going to tell you
what 1t is. You must come down and
see for yourself"
On the second floor Mrs. Hepton
stopped and pointed.
"It's in there" she said, pointing.
There" was the room formerly oc
cupied by Mr.. Saks, the long haired
artist. Since his departure 1t had been
vacant. Mrs. Hepton took Pearson by
the arm and, leading him to the door
threw the latter open.
"Here he is" she said.
"Hello, Jiml" hailed Captain Elisha
Warren cheerfully. "Ship ahoyl Glad
to see you"
he was standing In the middle Of the
room, his hat on the table and bis
hands in his pockets.
Pearson was surprised-there was nc
doubt Of that-not so much at the sight
Of his friend-he had expected to see
or hear from the captain before the
day was over-as at seeing him In that
room. He could not understand what
he was doing there.
Captain Elisha noted his bewildered
expression and chuckled.
"Come aboard, Jimr he commanded
"Come In and inspect. I'll see you
later, Mrs. Hepton," he added, "and
give you my final word. I want to
hold Offices council with MI. Pearson
here fust."
Pearson began to get a clew to the
situation.
Captain Warren" he demanded
'fhave you-do you mean to say you've
taken this room to live inr
mo, amt said all that yet. want
ed to talk with you little afore I sale
It. But that was my idea If you and
agreed on sartin matters"
you've come here to livel You've
left your-your niece's house~
"Ya-as, I've left-that Is, I left thu
way the Irishman left the stable where
they kept the mule. He said there wal
all outdoors in front Of him and only
two feet behind. That's about the wa!
twas with me-"
"Have your nephew and niece
"Um-hm! They hinted that my room
was better than my company, and
take it by and large, guess they wal
right, for the present anyhow. I Sc
up till 8 o'clock thinhn' 1t over, ant
then decided to get out afore break
fast this .nornin'. I didn't wait TO
any goodbys. They'd been said, or al
Ii cared to hear"-Captain Elishai
smile disappeared for an instant-"las
eyenin'. The dose was sort Of bitter
but it had the necessary effect A
any rate, I didn't banker for anothe
one. remembered what your land
lady told me when l was here afore
about this stateroom bein' vacated, ant
I come down to look at 1t. It suits m
well enough. Seems like decen
moorin's for an old salt water derehc
like me. The price is reasonable, ant
| / guess likely I'll take 1t. guess
will"
"why do you guess3 By George,
hope you willl"
"Do you? I'm much obliged.
didn't know but after last night afte
the scrspe got you into, you Nigh
feel-well, sort Of as II you'd seel
enough of me-"
The young man smiled bitterly. II
wasn't your fault" he said. ut wa
mine entirely. I'm quite old enougl
| to decide matters for myself, and
should have decided as my reason AM
not my inclinations told me. Yo1
weren't to blame"
"Yes, / was. II you're old enoug
I'm too old. carlate. But did thin
however, there's no use goin' owe
that don't want you to think tha
I've hove overheard that responsible
| ty' was so easy and fresh about tai
in on my shoulders. It's there ye
and I'll see you squared with Carolin
afore this v'yage Is over II I I've"
His friend frowned.
"You needn't mind" he said. II pr
fer that you drop the whole miserabl
business"
"Well, maybe. But. Jim, you've tai
en- hold Of these electric batteries tha
doctors have sometimesf It's awfr
easy to grab the handles Of one Q
those contraptions, but when you war
to drop 'em you can't They don
drop aaH, I tq0k hQld q The Aan0|1