The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1897-03-19


Young mans tone.
"To play with? No, no Jack, you're
too old for play now. It's quite time
you settled and Two boon think
ing"
"Yos2" as he paused impressivoly,
for the Major felt that at last the time
had come for him 30 speak.
THAT Miss Bloxhnm is tho very girl
for you. In fact, that you're just cut
out for each other"
HIN !" said Jack.
II wasn't much OF q remark, per.
haps, but the Major found 10 distinctly
disoonoortiug.
"Well, why not2" he asked testify.
"Why not? No reason, perhaps.
But then again-whyY
because she's pretty, and good
form, and very good company; a
thorough lady, and q charming wo.
mani Can't you trust my judgment
in q matter OF this kind"
The Major spoke with the assurance
OF ono whom long experience entitled
to speak with authority, and Jack
smiled. Unfortunately, his uncle saw
the smile and il irritated him.
"She's miles aud away too good for
you, you young dog, II that's what
you mean I" he broke out angrily.
"That's exactly what / do mean. If
she's all the admirable things you say
she is, fail TO SEQ how we can be cut
out for each other, and shall feel
bound in common fairness TO let some
better fellow cut me out. I'm not half
good enough for her-if she's all you
say she is"
The Major burst out laughing.
eff that's all, come and have a look
at her." he said, "and then you can
Judge for yourself. She is sure to be
on the parade; they all are at this
hour.
"Oh, yes, I'll have q look at her, "
said Jack.
Jack was as good as his word.
He mad a look" at Mics Bloxham,
and he was introduced to her. They
talked together, the Major beaming
approval the while. He was intro
duced to her mother, a harmless, gar
rulous old lady, who always talked,
whether there was anybody to listen
or not, and always about nothing in
particular. Her talk was never allowed
to interfere with general conversation,
nor did she expect it TO do 80, which
was but reasonable under the circum-
stances.
When the Bloxhams left the parade
an hour or so later, the Major and
Jack walked with them as far as their
own door, and Jack walked with Miss
Bloxham.
"Well" said the Major, as they
turned away.
"Eh?" Jack was evidently not at
tending. A slight, pale-faced little
girl was passing at the moment, and
bowed to him with a shy smile.
"Who's that?" Major Macintosh
asked abruptly. 1t struck him that
Jack was looking ridiculously pleased
about something or other.
"The sister of man in my Office,
I've been down to his place once oil
twice lately"
"Ohl" The Major dismissed Tie
subject. "Well, what do you think o.
herr"
"Of-her?"
eyes; isn't sheall I said, and more p
ooh, Miss Bloxham! Yes, she seems
ell right"
"All right? I should think she i
all right. Pom my word, Jack, yot
take it coolly."
"Why, what would you have? She
has talked to me about lot of things
for an hour or so; but I really know
nothing about her, except she is goot
looking, and too good form to say tina
she is bored, whatever she may feel.
"Bored! Why should she be bored
Didn't you talk to her?"
eyes, and she'd much rather
hadn't. WASN'T the right man, uncle
that's all.
"Then, by Jove, I should like t.
know who is |" the Major said testify
Jack laughed, but he did not pursu
the subject further. After all, it wa
no affair OF his; and if his uncle like
to play a little game of cross pur
poses, he had no wish to interfere wit
him.
The next week passed away pleas
antly enough. Tia Major, taught b
experience, knew just the kind of lit
tie expedition that was best qualife
to throw young people together-pos
sibly not always the right young pee
ple-and he was constantly arranging
some nice little pleasure party or an
other. OF course, none of these wer
complete without the Bloxhams, an
quiet, shy girl, great friend G
Nellie's, in whom somewhat to hi
surprise-the Major recognized Jack
little acquaintance. Mile Lee wen
everywhere with her friend; and a
she was always sweet tempered on
bannv the Major YrasanfIv cravv unit