The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1897-06-18

~. SlNss=5P sent. She has
tau%.N SS@%~ been so accus-
toned to see men at her feet-to have
them smile at her bidding and obey
her slightest whim, that there was a
singular fascination in knowing her
momentary caprices had no power to
sway the current of one mans will,
that what he thought right he held to,
even should it subject him to her dis
pleasure. His wooing had not been
very demonstrative. In a few simple,
straightforward words, he told her of
his love, and asked her to be his wife,
but when she had as quietly answered
him in silent wOnderment at her own
submission, he drew her to him and
pressed a single kiss upon her fore
head, and for one moment, as she lay
in his arms, a look came into his face
as of man who has won a grand race,
whose triumph all the world must
exult in. Women smiled when the en-
gagement was announced. A danger
Gus rival was removed from their path
way. Men frowned. Who was this
man who had outstripped them in the
ranks? They had not even recognized
him as a competitor, and lol he had
borne away the prize. But of all this
outward conjecture the lovers needed
little. Once Nelson said to her, as he
bade her goodnight after returning
from an evening Of dissipation at some
fashionable ball
81 shall be so glad Marion, when all
this is over, when society will be con-
tent to let us drop from its roll, and
retire into our own quiet home life. "
ooh, but Nelson" she answered,
"society is not going to give US up
simply because we are married. ex-
pect to make quite a sensation, I as
sure you, as Mrs Ellis"
"a sensation! My wife a sensation?
I trust not. Wives, Marion, have
other duties, which 1 hope the girl I
love will find greater pleasures than
any society can offer. am not a
jealous man, Marion--at least not CON
sciously so; but to see you as have
seen you tonight, giving your smiles,
your chances to other men, has shown
me how little / could tolerate in O
wife. But I will atone for all you
give up, dear, by devoting my life to
you, and making your happiness my
own"
1t was hours after he left her before
Marion fell asleep. She could have
yielded society with all its glare and
glitter without a pang, but what he had
said had grated ON her. He had asked
not as a something yielded for his
sake, but taken it as simple matter
of course. He seemed to ignore thai
it might to her be sacrifice to yiel6
that which had really given her keer
enjoyment Suppose the light in the
crowded bathrooms was artificial, i
was none the less pleasant to hen
young eyes; if the whispered nothingi
in her ears were subtle batteries, they
were so delicately yelled that they fel
softly and Jared not 1t had grown
part of her life, and simply because
her life was to be merged with hi
must she leave behind her all the pleas
ant follies of her youth?
When he next met her Nelson missed
something Her greeting had los
none of its warmth, her smile none o
its sweetness, but there was now anC
then an absent look in her eyes whicl
haunted him long after he had lef
her.
Tt was at this time that Allen Fan
came upon the scene. He and Mariol
hal been friends when children. II
hal carried with him oil these year
the pictured memory Of her face, an
when he returned to find its radian
beauty all undimmed, the first GLAD
ness was met with the absolute shoe