Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-01-06


full. she enjoyed all the dances e1-
cept the six with him.
At last the beautiful ball was over
and Mrs. Stevens gathered her charges
into the carriage.
"There is one thing ! regret. Jean"
said May, when they were again In
Mrs. Stevens room; II wish you had
met Billy instead of Phil-although
Phil Is in love-"
"Never mind, dears," said Mrs. Stew
ems, 1--WE all had delightful time. Ke-
member, we take the early train"
Next morning the same old ricksty
carriage was waiting to take then to
the station. May was late, as ustal,
and Mrs. Stevens was hnrrying them
along. Each carried heavy suitcase.
The darky piled the bags on the seat
beside him. They climbed in. When
he closed the door the glass broke In q
thousand pieces. He only grinned.
"Hurry!" exclaimed Mrs. Stevens.
eve must get our train"
There had been sleet the night be-
fore and the street was very slippery.
The crazy vehicle slid from side to
side, while its occupants were con-
vulsed with laughte.. They enjoyed
the primitive way Of living. Then
bang went something, and the girls.
with showers of broken glass, were
precipitated on poor Mrs. Stevens.
When they could separate them.
selves they saw the horses running
down the street, with the darky pull
ing on the reins. The three suitcases
were sliding after them. The tongue
of the carriage had gone with the
horses.
The shock of the fall had jammed
the lock tight and they were unable
to open the door. They could hear the
whistle of the train. They must take
II.
May called to man in uniform who
was hurrying down the street. He
looked at them and laughed. Then
went to their assistance.
Jean recognized him as Billy West
erman Of the night before. Mrs. Stew
ems explained their predicament. The
young man could not unfasten the
lock so he kicked It in with his foot.
Each woman grabbed bag and ran
for the train, the young knight help
ing first one and then another, but
helping Jean the most. He asked her:
Didn't I see you at the hop last
night7"
Gaspingly, she answered: Eyes, I
saw you, too"
BY this time they were half.block
from the station and could see the
conductor with his hand on the bell
rope, ready to pull it.
Billy gave shrill whistle. The man
hesitated and saw the frantic and ex-
hausted women running, their faces
contorted with merriment. Even Billy
was painting.
Thanks" they mumbied to the con-
ductor.
The women climbed on and stood
immovable on the platform while the
porter threw the bags on their feet.
Billy jumped after them.
Frantic shouts arrested their atten-
ton. They saw their driver running
after the train.
"Pay you tomorrow" shrieked Billy.
The darky's face broke into salts
fed grin.
81 must eXtricate you again" Billy
removed the luggage from six tired
feet and found seats for their owners
"Permit me TO introduce myself" he
smiled, and handed his card to Mrs.
Stevens. She read, "Midshipman Will
liam Westerman. Naval Academy, An.
napolis, Maryland"
Mrs. Stevens presented him to May
and Jean.
"Oh," said May. then you know
Roy Bloomer. ] have heard all about
you"
They laughed ard chatted on the
way to Washington. Billy learned
that they were all going again for the
hop In February.
"May claim my dances now?" he
asked. II won't trcspaSs too much on
Roy's preserves" said he, as he took
three dances from May; the same
from Mrs. Stevens, and while the others
were looking at tlie scenery he claimed
eight from Jean.