Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-03-23
MIRA Nevlns Gave On. AorrIfsd Gasp.

|
advice: Keep calm; act as though
nothing unusual were happening, but
watch him closely. II he develops
other eccentricities let me know"
Some hours later Mrs. Nevins
awaited Johns return from the Office.
Seated before the library fire, she was
comfortable In body but uncomfort-
able in mind. The latest fashion mag
azine failed to distract her thoughts
from Incidents Of the previous eve
ming, even though 1t exploited brand
new fashion detail at which Viola or
dinarily would have gasped with Joy.
Being the first to introduce new
style In her own home town had grown
to be more than q fad with Mrs. New
ins, 1t had become fixed principle.
The click Of the latchkey heralded the
approach Of the man Of the house. A
word Of greeting. a connubial kiss,
and John Nevins departed upward to
freshen for dinner as was his wont.
Nothing unusual about his manner
90 far" Viola reassured herself as
she awaited his returning footsteps.
They came tap-tap, on the polished
hardwood of the stairs. Viola felt
her fears justified. Hastily she re-
minded herself that the vain expostu-
lations and half hysterical pleadings
Of the evening before must not be re-
peated. DR.. Balfour's advice had been
to keep calm, and calm she kept as
John Nevins hobbled into the room,
his feet, unusually small for man of
his size. encased In exaggeratedly
high-heeled pumps, resplendently
buckled, He addressed his wife with
matter-of-fact seriousness.
IF I don't make faster progress
than this, learning to manage these
things, 1t will be days yet before I'll
have the confidence to wear them to
the Office"
At this development Of ultimate
purpose Mrs. Nevins gave one horri-
fed gasp. Then her attention was d.
verted to the imperative need Of
standing between John and the maid
as the latter appeared in the doorway
to announce dinner. When the girl
had departed kitchenward In search
Of soup, Viola offered her arm as an
aid In negotiating the perilous combi-
nation Of rugs and polished floors.
John scorned It.
Throughout the dinner, much to
viloa's relief, John kept his feet well
under the table-she had such hor-
ror of the servants talking! Also his
conversation was afrolutely sane.
Mrs. Nevins almost began to doubt
the evidence Of her own senses about
,e shoes. But no; 1t was all true;
or when the meal was over there
vas John, mincing his way slowly to
,he library door, upon those horrible
heels. Viola waited for him to dis
appear through 1t before she rang Tor
| the maid. Then, even as her hand
| found the bell, there came crash
| from the library-and silence
Instantly she realized what had
happened. Also that she must get
there first and get rid Of the ridicu-
lous footwear before the servants ar
rived. II the worst should transpire
there must be no gossip about queer
actions Of poor Mr.. Nevins" to 60 the
rounds. Viola hew-to ind her ap-
prehensions justified, and John lying
motionless on the library door.
When DR.. Balfour responded
promptly to Mrs. Nevins' distressed
phone can, the master Of the house
was stu unconscious. Blood flowed
from q cut on his head. The physi-
clan had the injury dressed N no
ttmsI waved the servants out OF the
naR ana I'D: ITS : RtalnG scalp