Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-08-02
By WILL T. AMEs


ping her naughty manner and holding
out her arms pleadingly, "you know
how love you. my only boy, and this
thing will kill me. 1t will grieve me
to death-you know my heart is bad
and my whole life is wrapped up In
you. I lie awake at night dreaming
about you and planning your future"
Philip WINGED and q cloud passed
over his clean open face as ne rose
and put his arm about his mother.
There, there, MOmsy, don't get 80
worked up."
A maid tapped at the door and pre-
sented card.
Heavens! Mrs. Mangston's down.
stairs. 90 and talk to her, Phil. I'll
come In minute"
Grateful for the escape, the young
man greeted the caller warmly.
"How's 1t going7" the lady asked
with motherly concern.
"Worse than ever. She's just made
dreadful scene and feel like q
murderer
"Sh-h-h-h, here she comes"
my dear Mrs. MangstOn, what
Measure this isl" said the hostess
cordially.
With a bow Philip excused himself
and soon the two were deep In con-
versation.
Eyes" said Mrs. Gunter bitterly,
"the boys determined to marry this
little stenographer In Brockton and as
surely as he does 1t I'll cut him on
without q farthing."
Her voice shook Us she spoke and
the heavy diamond brooch sparkled
and glittered with the rise and fall OF
her breast.
"Even If you do cut him off that
won't prevent his marrying her. What
you seem to want to do Is to prevent
the match" said Mrs Mangston
thoughtfully.
"But how?" asked the other des-
perately.
Another girl is usually the best
cure, TeIuuThcu tHC SuiiSA'
"But he says he's sick Of girls In
his set. He calls them artificial and
empty-headed and won't look Mt them
ally more"
"Of course not; It'll take some new
girl that'n sweep him off his feet"
"But where can we find such crea-
turef"
LET me think" Mrs. Mangston
puckered her brow as she stared alb
sently ut the floor. "Now, I have
sister who has Just moved here" she
went on after moment, "and 1t seems
to me that she said that she was go
Ing to have a little girl visiting her
next week. might get up dinner
in her honor and invite you and Phil"
"That would be wonderful II you
could" said Mrs. Gunter, enthusiast
cally.
"Goodl This girls coming Monday;
let's make the dinner Wednesday,"
you're really too kind smiled Mrs.
Gunter as they parted.
"Not In the least I'm simply so
devoted to Phil that would do any
thing In the world to help him out"
Anxiously Mrs. Gunter waited for
the appointed time, and after much
coaxing, persuaded her son to accom-
pany her.
"Dinners are always bore, and
I know more girls than I want to
know" he grumbled as he jerked on
his dinner Jacket.
They arrived punctually and with
covered eagerness Mrs. Gunter
watched the meeting between her son
and the girl and was gratifed to note
a elint of admiration in Phil's eyes as
be took Randolph Parkers hand.
Later, she decided that she had never
seen him 50 brilliant and entertaining
US he was at dinner that night.
"It's working beautifully" she whis-
pered to her hostess
"But she's such lovely girl, who
could help being gone over herr re-
piled Mrs. Mangston.
"Who, indeedf Now. why couldn't
be have fallen for a girl like that In
the first placei How longs she go
Ing to staST
Two weeks
"Better than nothing"
As they took their leave the mother
rejoiced to hear her son say:
"Have you any engagement for to-
morrow afternoon, or may I take you
out in the car and show you some OF
our points Of interest3"
II shall be glad to 60" said Ran
dolph, as she extended her hand.
isn't she the most fascinating thing
you ever saw2 And what beautiful
hair and eyes she hasl" raved Mrs
Gunter on the way home.
"She,s all right" answered the man
carelessly.
"Tm going to give a reception ana
dance for her Friday night" MS
mother babbled on. 1--WE must show
her q good time-let her see how nos
pitable our city Is to strangers"
As the days passed Mrs. Gunter
went into ecstasies to learn that prac'
tically every day her son took Han'
dolph out, although he never men
toned 1t to his mother.
II think they're simply crazy aDou'
each other" Mrs. Mangston told MRS
Gunter toward the end Of the visit
If we could only make matcn o!
IL before he gets bis mind on his oio
flame again"
ut isn't wise to show eagerness'
admonished the other woman.
" know it. but how can you neip
jit when your hearts set Oh tninsf
don't know a girl I'd rather Phil woulo
I,marry."
Randolph was persuaded to e1tene
her visit another week, but at last tht
| day arrived when she had TO leave
lMrs. Gunter upbraided herself for nav
ing foolishly hoped to hear OF theil
lapsag gamAnt -.