Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-07-05

that he had made q blunder, and it
confused him more and more. He
took off his hat, and furiously mopped
his perspiring brow, and then said;
~ left omething at the church last
night and was going afterit."
Poor Gideonl He was so worked up
by this time that he could not think of
another word to say, and he pulled his
hat over his eyes, and abruptly walked
away. Philena did not speak her
thoughts aloud, If she had she would
have said: 81 guess he did leave some
thing, he left his S~ains II he's got any,
for he didn't have any this morning.
wonder If he expects me to offer myself
to him. If ! should, he'd get as red as
lobster and say: It's of no account
Please don't discommode yourself, Miss
Philena.'"
She cast look of scorn after him,
and then went about her work.
Gideon went on his way, angry with
himself for his blunder. ''Td kick my
self if l could. I'D left something at
the church. Wasn't that bright
speech? You're an idiot, Gideon Bright"
He turned about and walked back,
fully determined to go straight to
Philena. He walked slowly by the
house, but he did not see Philena. His
courage, as usual, left him at the last
moment, and he walked homeward;
and when he was once more in his little
shop. his face wore despairing look as
he said:
Gideon Bright, you've let the chance
of your life slip by. / don't believe
she'd have You now anyway"
Philena saw him when he came back,
and she really hoped that he would
come in, but she was disappointed, and
as he walked slowly by, she thought:
II don't believe he cares anything
for me. Pm glad l gave him the nit
ten last night before all the folks. I'll
see that he don't get the chance to pay
me-"
True to her resolution, she avoided
Gideon, merely speaking in civil way
when she passed him in the street, or
met him at friends house.
Year after year went swiftly by, and
still Philena did not marry. This was
her own choice, for several worthy men
had sought her hand. Try as she
would to put him out of her mind, the
face of Gideon Bright haunted her
dreams, and she would softly sigh:
'If he only had the least bit of
gumption."
Gideon still loved Philena with all
his heart, and fondly hoped some day
to win her. He lived in the rooms over
his barber shop, and took his meals at
Dame Cations, who lived next door.
Being so much alone, he got more in
the habit of talking to himself, and
Philena was generally the subject of
his conversation.
At the time my story opens, Gideon
was fortytwo years old, and Philena
was thirty-eight.
After Gideon had trimmed Deacon
Hemper's beard, he accompanied him
to the door, and as they stood there in
the sunshine talking in gossipy,
neighborly way, young Serene Hemper
came along. He was going to have a
picnic on the Fourth of July in their
grove, three miles from the village.
He wished Gideon to attend.
Gideon could talk we'll enough when
he was with the men, and he said
'rd like to go. I'd enjoy it rea, we'll.
It's long time since attended pic
mic. But thc.l-it's no use thinking
about it. I'd just be an odd one among
YOU"
ooh, don't talk that way. We're all
going in big wagon, and we mean to
have jolly time"
Gideon consented to go, and they
walked on and he returned to his little
shop. He longed to go and invite