The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1889-03-21
! the world. siphing for sympathy and

loVe-a wldower OF means, Allce!
"Llbby, you have done wrong, SAID
Alice, with gravity that impressed her
young companion more than she would
have been willing to confess.
"Well, I've done it, and there's an
end of the matterl" said Libby, with
rebellious shake Of the head. $50
no use in lccturing me. Uncle Tom
shall find out that Pm not entirely with
out resources! A hundred dollars Tor
the story besides all the fame 1t Will
bring me, ALICE, ten dollars from the
plum jam-and there, you see, is enough
to buy quite u neat little trousseau 1or
marrying the widower. People don't
launch out wi:h silk dresses and dozens
of underclothes as much as they did,
and" -,
"Libby,~ Urged Miss Markham, "are
you really in earnest"
Libbie broke out into little hysteri-
cal laugh.
"Alice," said she, "l've thought of
nothing else and dreamed of nothing
else for a week. And it's strange-so
strange that I never have received an
answer to any of the three communlca-
tions!"
Just then little Tommy, the youngest
hope of the house of Morse, came trot-
ting across the sere meadow.
"Oh, look here, Lib" said he. "The
storekeeper he's found lot O. letters as
got hid away under the meal bags, where
they was sortin' the mail on Thursday.
They calculate as Pete, the p1ppy, done
it-he's chuck full of mischief and
tricks; and thcstorekeeper he give me
lemon ball If I'd take these to you.
was lickin' the inside of the molasses
keg, with Johnny Piper and Sam Stokes,
under the counter"
Libby grasped' the letters, and even
by that imperfect light, Alice could see
the snow and crimson chasing each other
across her face.
They were already inside the little
gate, and Libby caught at her COM
panion's arm with nervous haste.
"Let us 90 up stairs to your room,
Alice" she whispered. "There is al
ways such swarm of children in the
keeping-room, cpd one never can have a
moment to oneself. Besides, there is
only that lamp in the house, and can't
read by candlc-light."
Side by side, in the schcol-teacher's
apartment, by the light of the flicker
ing, strong scented kerosene lamp, Libby
and Alice opened the letters.
The first, whose envelope bore the
stamp of the Titusfeld Literary
Clarion, was brief enough. The editor
regretted that Miss Morse's manuscript
had proved unsniAed to his columns, but
would return it to her address on the re-
ceipt of sufficient postage stamps to de-
fray the cost of transportation by mail
"There's an end of that" cried
Libby, passionately, tearing the letter
in two and flinging its fragments ON the
ground. $40.
The second was an elegantly-written
note, on scented and rhonogrammed
paper, from the Secretary of the
Woman's Barter Establishment, stating
that Miss Morses kind favor per the
Rackawaxen railroad Express, had
been sampled. and had unfortunately
proved to be below the standard which
the establishment had set up. The box
awaited her orders. and Mrs, Geraldus
Geoffreys remained "hers truly" etc.,
etc.
'IE's all nonsense!" cried breathless
Libby. "Standard of excellence, in
deed! It's all favoritism. There's a
r1ng-I know there isl The whole thing
ought to be exposed through the news
papers,"
-, The third letter was brief enough. 1t
was from q we'll ~ lawyer in. New
York, stating to af3iss Elizabeth Morse
that her communication, together with
numerous others, had been found among
the effects of notorious swiniler, who
had fled from justice about week
previously. 1t was returned to her,
with a well-meant warning TO avoid
such traps in the future. Most of his
dunes, it was stated, had inclosed money,
rings and photographs to him, but she
was fortunately among the exceptions.
Poor Libby she burst into angry
tears, with her head on Alice's shoulder.
"Oh, Alice" she cried, "whst fool 1
have been"
And Miss Markham was endeavoring
to console her, when Tommy came clat-
tering up stairs to shout at the keyhole
that Hsupper was ready, aud marm had
been frying fapjacks, and there was
some real maple nolasses on the table,
better than that on the inside of the keg
at Billingses' store!" =.
Alice went down. She knew that 1t
would give mortal offense to Mrs. Morse's
housewifely pride to neglect this sum-
mons; but Libby flung hood over her
head, and rushed ont into the cold night
air.
~ couldn't speak to any one just
now," she pleaded. "You'll keep my
secret, Alice-wor't you"
Just there at the gate stood job Lind
lev, a black shadow against the star
light.
"Libbym
It was all that he said, but the one
word was 80 full of devotion, allegiance,
tender appreciation, that Libby stopped
involuntarily. & -.
Itwas healing balm to her hurt spirit
and wounded pride.
'I was coming to ask you to 60 to
Swope's Corners with me tonight, " said
he. "There's to be concert there, and
But is anyth ng the matter, Libby"
he asked, checking himself in index
PLANTATION. .,
eyes, Job, I should like to CO." said
Libby. "It's very good OF you to ask
me-"
"But you're in some sort of trouble,
Libbyw exclaimed Job. "You've been
crying2 Has your uncle been cross to
you2 Because, Libby, you needn't stay
Under his roof unless you choose. If