The Chilhowee echo. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1899-19??, 1900-04-21

turn. At last he concluded to &C up tc
DR.. Plumpsett's and see if the Doctors
wife knew when he would be back. She
informed him that Roscoe had gone tc
see a pupil who was sick; that he would
not be back until night; that he was en-.
gagged to Capt. Prewett the next even.
ing, and was going hunting with him
Monday morning. This news sealed Mr..
Hardison's lips about the intended invi.
tation, and he merely asked which side
OF the river they would hunt on. She
did not know, but he reflected that
Capt. Prewett usually hunted across
the river by the Big Burn. "I'll be
careful to keep on this side," he resolv-
ed.
Just then the Doctor rode up and
pressed him to stay for dinner, which
he agreed to do if the Doctor would 90
home with him and play euchre that
evening, which was finally arranged.
Meanwhile Jimmy Sanders rode into
the village, and hearing that Mr.. Har-
olson was at DR.. Plumpsett's, rode up
to the house and took dinner with them:
and about 3 O'Clock they all rode over
toward Mr.. Hardison's house. What
had Charley Moore been doing all this
while? He had sauntered about the
house for an hour or two after break
fast, and then begged Mrs. Hardison to
give him something to do. She laugh
ingly set him to work fixing the sewing
machine, which did not behave to suit
her, and with screw-driver, a rag and
some oil, he performed wonders in a
short time. After dinner Clara and he
sat in the parlor and chatted sociably.
Now Charley Moore had long been in
love with the SUNNY little maiden, and
his parents suspected and approved his
preference; but though he was brave as
a lion in the presence of actual danger,
he had never been able to summon up
enough courage in her presence to tell,
or hint, or even look, his love. Occas-
ions when they were entirely alone to-
gether had been very brief and rare,
and he determined, if he saw any
chance to introduce the subject. he
would speak to-day; so, while they talk
ed, look of serious resolution began to
steal over his face, which she soon no.
Iced.
"What's the matter, Charley?" she
said. 'You look as though you were
a robbery"
81 believe I am," he said, smiling
'aintly.
'It's no use," she laughed: "I've
ocked up all the silver"
81 want something more precious
han silver or gold either" he blunder-
I'd.
Claw! then Id better lock my jewel
y box. BY the way, there's something
n it I'm going to show you," and she
vas off like a bird. She soon returned
With tinted photograph of Constance
md a letter. He looked at it attentive
y.
isn't she beautiful" she exclaimed.
I've got such a nice, sweet note from
ler; I'd like to read it to you, but |
mustn't. Here's just the primmest let
er from Miss johnson, though. I'll
cad that to you;;" and without further
she read:
MY DEAREST PUPIL: Since writing
ny last letter but little has occurred
worthy of mention, and I only write to
edeem my promise. Our dear Miss
1ardison does not 60 out quite so often
S she did, though she is perfectly well.
at first attributed it to Maj. Carney's
ttentions, which are becoming daily
nore assiduous, and believed they were
but I was mistaken. VEN
ured to hint to her the other day that
er engagement was no reason why she
hould deny herself the pleasures of So
iety, and she answered that she WAS
ot engaged to any one, and more than
hat, would not contract an engagement
nth any one during the present win
er. She spoke so plainly and decidedly
hat | saw she meant that her deter
should be no secret. Indeed,
he said it in the presence of Sophy,
7hich was equivalent to publishing it
n the Picayune, or any other paper. 1
m beginning to suspect that, perhaps
ncouraged by my example, she is
empted to preserve her own individ-
ality through life, by refusing to allow
to be obliterated by the act of matri-
lony. She is wealthy, intelligent and
igh-spirited, and, if she should choose
nus wisely, will be notable example
the hundreds of silly girls who run
fter marriage as moth seeks the
anne. I hope you, too my dear Clara,
ill profit by such examples, and show
nat my teachings have been not in
ain. If anything occurs worthy of note
will write again. Present my regards
your respected parents. L am glad
hear such good account as you give
Mr.. Owen. I read your letter to
[iss Hardison, and she was so interest