The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1899-02-11

should care to do we're in your place,
and wouldn'task it if i didn't thinkit
might do good for all and do harm to-
none. You heard of her sudden pros
tration the other night?'
"Yes-but-" -.
"Do you know-have you any idea of
the cause?"
mot the faintest-No! can't say
that. She got a telegram, heard"
"She did, and an answer was demand
ed and l had to read it and reply that
she was Frustrated and couldn't an
swer herself, perhaps for days. have
no right to tell you, what was in the
message, but she seems to need to see
you. She says tomorrow say to-
night"
For a moment no answer came. At
last, with evident effort, Merriam spoke.
81 had promised myself never to see
her alone. 1t is due to my wife, if not
to me. You know the relations that eX-
listed. Now Mrs. Merriam does not
like your guest"
Neither do l." interrupted Grafton,
stout!y. land I've an idea she'll go after
she's got what-informatio you can
give her."
And now Merriam's face began to lose
its dark look and to grow suddenly
pale. do you mean that this telegram
has made-has anything to do with her
wish to see me?"
Everything. Merriam. according to
my belief. and if I could tell you what
it said l think you would not refuse
her."
Intently Merriam eyed the captains
face as though burning with eagerness
to read his full meaning.
Every well, will come right after re.
treat. Surely five minutes ought to be
enough" he said at length, and Their
went thoughtfully homeward.
But retreat parade came within sc
short time after Grafton's return to
his quarters that his message to Mrs
McLane covered that lady with con
sternation. What! Meet Randy Mer
riam when she had less than 80 min
utes in which to dress! 1t couldn',
be thought Of! When Merriam called
Mrs. Grafton futtered down, with
| flushing cheeks and indignant eyes
SIN so sorry. Mr.. Merriam, but really
Mrs. McLane says she is SO far from wei
again this evening tibet she cannot SEE
anyone. She has gone back to bed, but
begs that you will come in at noon to
morrow. How is dear Florence?
should have been to see her, but an
tied hands and feet"
And Randy went angering back te
Floy's mutely inquiring eyes. "Wha
can do to cheer you tonight, my dar
lingo" he whispered. as he bent ovel
to kiss her. as Mrs. Hayne coming
back?"
Florence was lying on the sofa in he
pretty room aloft, and Merriam knel
at her side, taking her passive hand il
his and stroking gently the curls tina
shimmered about her white temples
The smile with which she greeted hin
was very wan and fitting.
"She said she would, after little.
told her you'd be in right after pa
rade, but" and the "but" had mourn
full tone to it.
II had to stop moment on the way
dear. A matter 1 promised to attent
to-" and again he bent and laid his lip
upon her brow, then pressed them t.
hers. Time was, and only few day
gone by, when she used to meet tina
fond caress with kiss as fond, as lin
gering rs his own. Now she lay Their
patient, unresponsive. Somethin!
prompted him to pass his arm under
meath her neck and to draw her head t
4 his breast, and she let herself go, un
| resisting, but her cheek did not nestl
happily, confidently, as was its way
Her big, pathetic. eyes were down
cast, even averted.
81 wish knew some way to gladdel
you bit. my Brownie" he murmured
using for almost the first time her ia
theirs own fond pet name for her, an
he was startled beyond measure 1T tn
result. One instant her face light
ed as with sudden radiant Joy, the
quivered all over with pent-up emo
ton. Then the pretty mouth bega
to twitch and the lips 10 tremble, an
then, despite every effort, she turne
back to her pillow and burst into pas
sion of tears, great sobs shaking he
slender frame from head to foot.
II "Florence! Florence!" he cried, /
utter dismay and trouble. what is i
sweetheart? What is it, my pet, m
precious? All, don't turn from me Xix
that. You are not well, my own, or yo
would not break my heart by shrinkin
from me. What can l have said to S
distress your" And now he would tax
no denial, but had clasped his arm
about her and drawn her to his breas
again, and began kissing away her teal
and striving to check her sobbing.
was useless.
ooh, let me cry-let me cry!" sh
pleaded-"it's what need"
And so in pain and bewilderment h
yielded to her wish and strove to col
tent himself with murmuring sof
: soothing words and holding her clos
to his heart, and at Last the storm {
tears seemed drifting away and sh
could speak in answer to his pleadin,
! and presently she looked one instar
: into his eyes and began: