Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-11-14
MRS. KIRKE DISCOVERS HAzEL's Sc
CRET

| MRS. KIRKE DISCON ERS HAZEL'S Sc
CRET.
"What an impostor YOU are, Mr..
| Green" said Dolly Dutton in low
tone of voice, as that gentleman
dropped into a chair by her side, when
they entered the sitting-room after
dinner.
"No doubt" replied Pittacus calmly,
ave all are. How have | exceeded
my fellows in imposture just now ?"
"You promised to free my cousin
from the bargain with the squire.
When are you going to begin p
"The very next time ] meet old
Rod. Ee was here Just before dinner,
but no one introduced me, so i could
not saya word. Never mind; If there's
timid bone in his body, I'll make
him come to terms, or I'll die bach
elor, just rs sure as you're the prettiest
girl that ever blessed my eyes!"
"La, Mr.. Green, you are too full OF
sweet words, I'm thinking"
Dear me, Miss Dolly, if my words
were only as sweet as your face, I'd
put them on the market and burst up
the sugar trade-but, seriously, you
must help me-"
"How z" asked Dolly.
@You must tell her mother that
Rodney is not the man whom Hazel
loves"
ed never dare do that!v replied
Dolly.
"What would you desert me upon
the verge of great SUGGEST No; cour-
age-speak, and your cousin will be
blessed. All, here she comes, and
now is your time" said the eccentric
being, as he saw Mrs. Kirke enter the
sitting-room.
Pittacus hurriedly left his seat, and,
taking his hat from the table, said:
Madam, you will permit me?"
He then crossed over to the door,
and, as he was about to leave the room,
he remarked:
"Madam, in the words OF the i'm
mortal bard OF Avon-1f all the world
were in the right, you and | would
never be in the wrong.
With graceful bow to the ladies,
he left the room.
@Dolly, didn't you say his name was
Pity Green ?"
"Yes, aunt"
"Pitty Green-an odd name; and he
seems queer bit here" said Mrs.
Kirke, pointing to her forehead.
"Thats all right, aunt, so long as he's
sound here" replied Dolly, pointing to
her heart.
@Aye, that's true, Dolly, that's true"
"Well, Aunt Mercy 2"
"Yes, Dolly"
"Did ye mark the look in Hazels
face, LIST week, when her father told
her Mr.. Carringford had been here
long enough ?'
"What sort Of look, girl ?"
"A pale, frightened, suffer- g look,
aunt. She's in love with Mr.. Caring
ford, as sure us Pm living woma1W
Mrs. Kirke let the stocking which |
she was knitting fall out OF her hands.
She started from her chair and caught
Dolly by the arm, saying earnestly:
"My heart, child DO you really |
mean what you say?"
"Indeed DO, aunt; and / am not |
the only one who thinks so, for even |
poor Met told me this morning that
the Young missus loved Master Car
ringford hush here she comes |,
now" SAID Dolly as she saw her cousin
enter the room.
Mother, if Mr.. Kennedy brings our
mail and there's letter for Mr.. Car
ringford, please let me know, for he is
very anxious about his mother, and he |
told me that he expected to hear from
her to-day"
"Where are You going, child ?"
"Only down TO the mill to finish my |
drawing OF it. Mr.. Carringford prom
ised to touch it up for me, and I'd like |
to get it done to day, mother"
Dolly, you had better go and set
the table for tea."
"Ali right, aunt" said Dolly, as she
left the mother and daughter alone to-
gether.
"Hazel, you can wait a bit; i have n
word to say to you"
As soon as Mrs. Kirke founl her
self and daughter secure from intru-
sion, she laid her hand on Hazel's head
and said:
@Hazel, what ails you? Your eyes
are heavy and you look every other
minute as If you were going to cry.
What is it all about ?"
This was a long speech for Mercy
Kirke TO make. 1t made Hazel start
and blush like a guilty thin g.
Matter with me, mother Nothing.
What makes you think so?"
because it is my duty 10 think OF
YOU. Because there is nee d that some
one should take care OF yGu."
"Of me ?" said her daughter, IN III
ing to the temples. What h We
done, mother?"
Hazel, come here, my child" said
Mrs. Kirke, as she sat down in the
arm chair, signing heavily, @and kneel
at my feet"