The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-11-02

"a year "a. day since jamie has left
her room ?" said Guy, soberly.
"And yet she doesn't look sick,
said puzzled Elsie.
"She isn't sickl' said Doctor Mat
ti.on. Come, Miss Elsie, cla!-
lenge you to a game OF chess"
"well," said Elsie. ''here Is the
board"
Let us sit by this window sad
the doctor, moving his chair.
"Why?"
"Bccause there's neighbo- oppo-
site-Mi.s Saiina Settlegate."
IL was about O week aftervard that
Jamie vas sitting iis.lessiy in hen room,
hearing merry voices below stairs,
and wondering why their owners did
not come up stairs 10 share her dreary
vigil, when a tap, soft aud low as The
tick Of French clock, sounded Oh
the door.
"Come i'm sighed jamie.
And Miss Saliua .et.!egaic rust.ed
| into the room.
Mrs Salina Settlcgate would haye
/ made very good realization Of Nj.
| Elmerding's fancied idea OF Cousin
I Elsie. She wore spectacles, although
they were not exactly blue; che was
! hard on the border-land OF the forties,
and she had long, pointed nose,
that looked as II it might have been
.harpenel by prying into o:Eer peo-
! pies business.
"Excnse my intrusion" said Miss
! SaIina; "bnt / have felt so sorry for
you"
JAMIE colby inclined her head. She
didn't like Miss Salina, and she could
no. imagine what excess OF imperti
hence had brought the woman.
yes" said Miss Salina, especial
~ since that bold ones come here
who Airts so uda- ciously with yoar-
ahem!--your young man."
'Flirts!' cried jamie, turning pink
and-white. like sweetpea blossom
Il make j! rule never to pry
into other folks affairs" said Mis-
Salina, ''but with your windows ex
actly opposite, l can't help seeing
what is going on. How can she be 81
treacherous, with her chess playing
and her 'Emblems of Flowers ant
her reading poetry out OF the sam'
books, and--I saw it with my Owl
eyes, my dear--his arm around he
waist?"
1T can't be possible." ciiel jamie
They're down stairs now, tete-a
tete!" said Miss Salina. "You cal
surprise 'em, if you've a mind to-
jamie grew pale. Real troubl
effectually banished fancied ailment
from her mind; springing lightly t
her feet, she hurried down stairs
with step that was wonderful
light and free for such o chronic in
valid.
Miss Salina shuffied down afte
her, aud noiselessly opened the door
"There!' said Miss Salina, "I toll
you so. Sparkin' on the sofy, side b
side"
! jamie, whose nerves were strung t
the highest possible tension, uttere
a. little, hysterical laugh. Cousi
, Elsie was sitting on the sofa. indeed
| with q gentleman beside her, but
was not Guy Elmerding.
doctor Mattison!" cried she.
I Exactly" said Doctor Mattisor
rising to his feet. $50 we have SUI
ceeded? Much obliged to you, Mis-
Settlegate.'
Amt it Ike tight young llan?" d.
l manded ;.:e spinster, rubbing he
long nose.
. ooh, yes-it's the right youn
q mani" said jamie, unable to repress
{ laugh, mortified as she was at he
n own foundationless jealousy. "Dei
Elsie, why didn't You tell me?"
a Because" Elsie made answe
radiant with smiles and bushes, ':v
$ have only been engaged for about Fl,
minutes!'
s "And Guy?'
"Guy knows nothing of it as yet
/. answered DR.. Madison, "but I sha
v suggest to him that his wedding tai
g place at the same time
At the same moment, Mr.. Elmerdir
r opened the door.
"Hello" said he. "Janier
d eyes, Janie!' and she came TO
o ward with both hands outstretche
o feeling that she owed him some repa
n alton for venturing to doubt hir
even in her heart. "Guy, I'm afra
:. tried you dreadfully; but-but b
lieve see the folly of my fanci
-, now"
% They were married just when Oct
Der fades into November.
% ut isn't every old bachelor doct
whom I should advise to attempt til
10 sort Of cure" said Doctor Mattiso
, "because every CO conspirator Isl
q an Elsie-and there's some danger
> PLAYING with edged toolsr'