The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1897-07-16

caresses, 10 give back something Of
the warmth Of his love, aud then, in
the privacy of her own room, wept
scaldng tears over her own faithless-
ness.
Mrs Raymond was often afraid that
she would yet miss the golden prize
she had partly won, and heartily sec
ondea VIII Ia his preparations for
speedy wedding. II was Mrs Ray
mond who went with him 10 open the
house that he had bought TO adorn for
his bride, who aided him in the selec-
ton Of carpets, curtains, furniture, and
gave him instructions regarding the
kitchen department, Of whosesneeds he
was as ignorant as most young bach
elors. IL was Mrs Raymond who re-
ceiyed an anonymous letter containing
aliberol sum, which she quietly APP
proprlutel for a uogsseau and a suita-
bic dress for the brides mother.
She was q woman Of rare tact. HAY
ing Won Helens consent 10 be Will
. Spencer's wife, she never bothered
| her by complaints about her listless in
| difference 10 her lover or her future
prospects. She simply made all the
arrangements for her, without once
admitting a possibility Of change. The
betrothal was spoken Of on all occa-
sions, the preparation Of the house,
the selection of the trousseau referred
10 in matter-of-foct words that made
Helen feel, as it was intended she
should, that she had walked into net
from which there was no escape.
And Will Spencer knew it all, and
writhed under the knowledge being a
frank, loyal man, whose impulses were
generous and honorable, and who
loved Helen with all the strength Of
his heart. Often he asked himself
how he could endure life, if he found
his wife a faithful slave, instead of the
happy companion he hoped to make
her.
, IF she never loves mel" he thought,
bitterly, IF all my love fails to win
, hers, what will my life be-"
He did her justice He knew that
/ if his love failed to win her heart, his
{ gold was powerless to make her happy.
He knew that if her mother died or
{ could not be benefited by her mar
I riage, she would rather beg her bread
D herself than be his wife.
| While matters stood in this unsatis-
r factory state, Mrs. Raymond made a
T. suggestion: Il want you to go away
S for a month" she said to him, land
e let Helen miss the constant devotion
/ that she has had ever since your be-
e trothal Let her feel that a void has
t come into her life, and how dull and
cherries it would be if she lost you.
s The wedding day is set for June 10,
$ and this is April. Stay away until the
8 9TH or 9th of June"
: 1t seemed to him good advice, and
he had business in the West that would
4 fill his time proftably. 1t gave him
t the first really happy moment of his
= engagement when Helen said, gently,
e yet with a shudder:
81 cannot bear to think of you on
J. railway trains, Will. Write often, that
i. l may know you are safe.
a Her lips met his in tender pres.
t sure, such as loving sister might be-
8 stow, but with far more affection than
j. she had ever before given him. Was
r he winning her? The hope made this
l. unexpected absence endurable, and
for two weeks life held more pleasure
n than it had done in all the days of his
h courtship.
e Then came a blow, sudden, sharp
Is overwhelming! He was in q large
If Western city, when, after night, re
J. turning to his hotel a man on crutchef
II asked for charity. The voice was
. familiar, and, in q shock of horror
Y the face struck him. One gasping CRY
t, escapedhim:
George Vanhorn!"
It The man would have hurried away
II but he followed easily
g. Let me go, Spencer' the crippl,
IS pleaded. II did not recognize you
Don't you know 1 am dead?"
Is 81 know you are coming in her
Il with me-, Will said, gently, substitut
s, ing his arm for one Of the crutches
at and entering the hotel where he had
IS room. STEADY, nowW and he lie,
W him, feeling how he trembled, unit
j, he had him seated in a great arm
ID chair in his room, and felt his hear
BY stirred with deep compassion at tn
Of havoc pain and poverty had made,
n, He would not let his guest spea
ID until he had ordered a supper an
~ made him comfortable. Then, turn
le ing to him, he saw that he was weeI
n ing.
er ''See what q woman you make {
er meP' the poor fellow said. "Yo
thought l Was dead?'
ke Eyes! All your friends think so. )"
so cit was a narrow escape, and
IS. wonder why l was spared Nine month