The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-01-18
WITHOUT Her HOST

But give me something-some assurance
that when l do return I'll find you waiting
for me. When that day arrives, trust me,
1T will be with something more to offer you
than empty hands and few worn acres of
stony land, something more worthy of you,
my princess
Worthy of me. You have given me your
heart, yourself! And you are worthy of any
woman Oh, l cannot let you go-I cannot
1 will go with you. l will work-anything,
only that l may not be parted from you
The princess" wrung her hands and
sobbed forlornly in way to quite break a
mans heart or bring him to her way Of
thinking at once. But in this case the latter
being quite impossible the man only looked
extremely miserable and essayed to reason
the matter out with her. II would take you
sweetheart, if such course were possible
but it is nOt-nOt to be thought of for
moment"
The girl sighed rolled her wet handker-
chief into tiny ball. Il know it is not
she acquiesced mournwully. II know it is
not and that makes it harder
But you will wait for me? You will be
true to me until do Gomez" The gray
eyes. cool and masterful. looked down into
the passionate brown ones insistently, COM
pellingly. Promise. Camille promise!''
Il promise, Dick. On the honor of the
Bellamys, l promise!''
A rush Of padded feet through the UNI
carpeted hail. the heavy tramp of booted
feet. and the lovers. with one last hasty
hand-clasp, one murmured, pleading word
and reiterated promise, stood hastily apart
as Camille's father entered, followed by a
company of dogs, large and small, that
swarmed at his heels and thrust their noses
between his heavily booted feet and into hls
hands.
Riding, Stanly?" he asked, his cool eyes
imperiously persuading. Stanly admitted
that he was. Then We will go together
And with no more time for vows, promises
or tender good-bys the lover was marched
off, the escort of CANNES shamblipx and
scuffing behind him.
Rather clever Of me that, rather clever"
Illuminated the old planter as he parted with
the young fellow at the crossroads a little
later. Interrupted the last vows, ETC. Ca
mile too good girl for such foolishness-
too fine girl" The observation was not
unmixed with good bit Of the old planters
unique profanity and many cuts of his riding
whip among the company Of dogs that trot-
ted patiently at his horses heels.
At home, her passionate black ewes dim
with weeping. Camille told herself that she
could never live through the five wears Of
waiting that must elapse before her lover
could come to claim her eager, positive
promise Of truth and faith.
The end of the second year was approach
ing and Camille was faithful still though
things began to go anything but we'll in her
plantation home. The buildinxc BEGAN to
wear dflapidated look for want Of the
small attention in time, the once fine shrub
berries remained untrimmed, dogs derener-
ated and increased, as did certain kind Of
caddie- colored darby, and Camille noted with
secret ana futile rage that her commands
were not obeyed SO strictly as formerly and
often entirely ignored by the tall neRress
who filled the post of housekeeper in the old
mansion. .s.e,-A. -..s~~
1t was at this time that Camille received
an invitation from former schoolmate tn
visit and assist her in entertaining some
guests of state. The invitation was thank
fully accepted and the poor girl started to
meet the turning point of her fate
Among the guests was one, a grave. silent
man. who struck with her dark, passionate
beauty, offered her his hand Though manv
years her senior he offered her sincere adj
mlration, which would soon deepen into a
true anection, high social position and
unlimited wealth. An offer. soupled with q
quiet, manly and dignifed bearing. attract
I've, indeed. to beautiful, ambitious and
unhappy woman. Six months had n.s.ad
six months OF utter silence on the part Of
Dick Stanly, and Camille. turning a deaf ear
to the .pleadings of her own heart. held ont
her hands to the sutton who fered her de-
liverance from an uncongenial home pinch
ing means and restricted actions. and after
short delay answered his suit favorably.
They were married on a quiet afternoon
in the big, dim, shabby drawing room of her
fathers mansion. The windows and doors.
filled with yellow and black faces. The in
sistent hum of myriads of bees and the
vacuous cheep Of the cicala making monot-
onous undercurrent for the drowsy hum Of
the preachers words.