The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1886-10-28

lTiSulcucu. - oOu huo" WuaI ~ oti
means. don't know what I ought to
do"
He hung the bride over an old stump,
and led Narcissa into the shadow of an
umbrel!a.!: Ike oak that grew near tie
stone fence.
''Tell me all about it." said lie.
1t was strange how each had settled
into his and her relative p"sition-Nar-
cissa clinging, trusting, hiding herself,
as it were, under the Ygis of his protec-
ton. Walter calmly superior in the
midst of his tender 81 lici;ude.
"Why, child" said he, "the old idiot
wants to-marry youw
Narci-sa crimsoned to the very roots
of her hair.
Il thought So" she whispered. 81
was almost certain of it. But-but what
am to dol"
He took both her little cold hands in
his.
Don't be frightened, Narcissa," said
he. You can't marry two people at
once, can you"
"No at least, suppose not"
"And you're engaged to me, aren't
your
"If you say so, Walter, hanging down
her head.
81 do say so, Narcissa! And now let
me take you home. Well see whether
old Silber is to have everything his own
way or not"
"But the horses, Walter2"
THEY'LL stay b re, contentedly enough,
until come back, pet-ncver fear. On,
by-the-way, Narcissa! little Dorette is in
the basket under the hedge. I haven't
given her to Alice Jeffreys yet"
ooh, Walter, do get her." whispered
Narcissa. The little, white, fully dar-
ling! Pve been thinking Of her ever
since-ever since You went away. And,
Walter nervolsly playing with the
button of his coat, Il told you horrid
story about the parrot. 1 couldn't en-
dure the screeching thing. and Billy
johnson took it away three days ago"
"Narcissa, you arc the dearest little
girl in the world" cried the enraptured
lover.
"No, am not" confessed the fair
penitent. II am a cross deceitful,
treacherous-"
But here the catalogue of sins was cut
short with absorbing kisses.
S uire Silber. rubicund and portly
gentleman, well on in the forties, sat on
the porch, tanning himself and waiting.
while Mr.. Hail pecred restlessly up and
down the road.
''Here she is now," said Hall, with
long sigh of relief, as his daughter came
up, with Mr.. Milliman carrying h:r pink
sunbonnet as rcverently as if were a
queens crown. ''Narcissa, here's Squire
Silber wanting to speak to YOU"
Miss Narcissa-" ingratiatingly com
menced the stout gentleman.
"It's of no use, said Narcissa, putting
both hands to her little, pink ears. 81
never, never will consentm
Yes; but won't you hear me, Miss
Mar"
"No, no, nom and Narcissa stamped
her foot with renewed emphasis.
"Hear reason, daughter gently urged
the farmer-''hear reason!"
But I don't want to hear reason"
said Narrissa, almost crying.
"IIc'd be just as good to the little
horse as you yourself would be, ," said the
farmer; ''and $500 is price that don't
often come our way. He's going to train
her TO. trotter, don't YOU see:"
$50 train who!" said Narcissa.
"What are you ia king about!"
about little Mamie, the bay mare"
explained her father. esquire Silber
wants to buy her He's taken fancyt to
her, but I told him she belongs to you,
and it is for you to decide the matter.
Say yes or say no-I won't interfere"
"Oh, he may have her in welcome!
cried Narcissa, uncertain whether to
laugh or cry. II thought supposed
i don't know what 1 did think!'
And she ran into the house and hid be-
hind the great Japanese screen in the
best parlor, followed straightway by
Walter 0Iilliman.
och, 60 away" she sobbed feel
as if 1 could sink through crack in the
floor, 1 am so dreadful!y, horribly
ashamed of myself. It's all mistake"
"No, it is not" said AIiiliman, reas-
suringly. "About our being engaged,
dearest-that's not mistake2"
$40, that isn't a mistake; but"
"Then l don't care straw about any
thing else,' said Walter, rapturous:y.
And it is a consolation. too, isn't it. to-
think that after all old Silbcr is not such
a fool as we took him for?"
YES" said Narcissa in low voice,
II think it is. s."-Hltn ForYes; GraOe5.