Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-12-13

well-tressed man.
He brought handful of roses for
Mrs. Wilkes--a rare and beautiful Span
ish variety. His most cherished rose
tree, idolized and pampered through
out the winter, had been ruthlessly de-
spoiled to yield them.
"Lucy, dear said Wilkes to his wife,
"this is Mr.. Penroyd. Sit down, PEN
royd. Glad to see YOU"
You see, didn't wait for second
imitation, Wilkes and Mrs. Wilkes" he
said, smiling.
I'VE wanted to know you," said Mrs.
Wilkes, burying her pretty face in the
roses.
"Yes," said Ned. I'VE had caught a
glimpse OF you here and there--at the
pump, in fact-and there was some
thing about you that made us want to
speak"
Penroyd brought his open palm down
sharply on the wooden step, so sharply
that the sleepy kitten started up and
blinked at him inquiringly.
why, Wilkes, 1 must say that the
coincidence is remarkable. Now, the
first minute that clapped eyes on you
and your wife l wanted to talk with
you. Wilkes and Mrs. Wilkes, am go
ing to come down with the whole truth
at once and ask your opinion. 10
speak mildly, I'm in the dickens of a
mess"
Ned struggled to retain his gravity.
There's girl in it, suppose" he
said.
There is, Wilkes. That is why am
presuming enough to trouble you both
with my personal affairs. said to my.
self: Wilkes there and Mrs. Wilkes have
just successfully steered their vessel
into the sea of matrimony. They
probably found that it wasn't ali
smooth sailing to get there. Here is
Waltham Penroyd struggling in the
same direction, with every wind that
blows blowing in his teeth. Who knows
but they will let him benefit by their ex.
perience?
wilkes and Mrs. Wilkes" he said
IF you permit me, am going to tell
you about this thing from beginning to
end. Unfortunately for me, that's 0
very short distance"
Ned and his wife were most anxious
to hear.
You must have noticed" began
Penroyd, that there is young lad,
In twenty-six-a very handsome ant
extraordinary girl, Miss Chandler. She
has sister-a cripple. They moved
into twenty-six just one month yester
day.
Wilkes, you know what asses we
young fellows are when there's girl il
Me question. Well, heard, of course
that was to have young lady neigh
Dor. was sick almost from curiosity
They came in the evening, and hadn't
a glimpse in the dark even. The fol
lowing morning about seven o'clock
heard her easement open. Her shut
ter creaks just as mine does. sprana
to the window, wrapping myself in tht
curtains to be invisible. And I go
my first glimpse of Edith Chandler
That was the glimpse that laid me out
Wilkes and Mrs. Wilkes. / knew il
that moment that l could love no cir
but that girl. That / should love he,
for life and death If l never set eve.
on her again, knew as well as if
heard it from a burning bush. lef
the window with cold Precipitation OIL
my forehead. l recognized one O
those traps of fate in which man i.
weaker than hummingbird in cat'
claw.
1T was fully an hour before she lief
that window, but l didn't venture an
other look. / sat there in stupol
with that first image of her burning it
self in on my brain, the image of he
looking out over those orchis-pots, will
that unearthly sadness in her eyes ant
the new sunlight on her face"
Penroyd stopped speaking and strokec
the kittens forehead meditatively will
his thumb.
! Good heavens, mani" cried Ned
"Are you desparing of girl befor,
you have had an introduction?"
"Oh, / have been introduced, Wilkes
mean | introduced myself and w
have spoken together little over tn,
gate. In fact, the first day or two
almost began to hope. They were 81
kind-she and her sister-neighbor
fashion, you know. But two weeks di,
for that. l have found out that sh,
avoids me-"
How do you know, in heaven
name?" asked Ned.
"The hydrant unfolds the tale" salt
Penroyd, dreamily.
Wilkes brushed back the hair from
his eyes and looked at his visitor in as
constituent.
What has the court hydrant to d,
with your case, manT he demanded.
Penroyd broke into laugh. II for
got, he said. II was pretty obscure
wasn't 1? This is what l meant. A
first Miss Chandler used to come at 81,
o'clock to draw water for houschol,
purposes--and got into the habit o
drawing mine at six, too. In fact
Wilkes, to tell the truth, went Their
every morning to meet her and to carr,
her pals for her. At first she mus
have thought it coincidence. But sh
couldn't remain long in ignorance. An,
the moment that she got on to the ide
she stopped coming at six; came a
five instead. Now, leave it to you
Wilkes and Mrs. Wilkes, If that gin
comes out an hour earlier of a chill,
morning isn't it sign enough that sh