The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-01-24


scene greatly; the Mt Seymour Hotel
provided many of them. The girl was
young and pretty: the hand which
toyed with the letter before her was
studded with valuable rings, among
them a narrow one of gold. II was
evident that she was wife. There
was no husband to greet her, though
the car with her luggage from The mail
boat was standing at the door Al
phonse had had the pleasure OF hand
ing her the letter; It had been given
TO him by q handsome, dark-eyed man
only a few hours before.
Monsieur le Capitaine he say, GIVE
to de lady direct she come. Hem
do give"
The girl arose, her blue eyes dim
with tears the susceptible Alphonse
was overwhelmed.
Marie she said to her maid, Capt
Molyneux has been ordered up to Pre-
toria; he only left today Please see
TO the boxes.
She crossed the hall toward the ele-
vator and disappeared.
Many eyes had watched the little
drama; the Longing chairs in the hall
were all occupied; officers on SICK
leave, men convalescent and men on
their way up to the front or back to
old England. Women, too, some grass
widows, q few real widows. many more
with no special concern in the war at
all. But it was the war which had
drawn them to Cape TOwn-the war
or, rather, the soldiers who were fight
ing. Where else but to the Mt. Sey-
mour Hotel should they 60? Rank and
fashion, JOY and misery virtue and
vice rubbed shoulders in that fashion
able and exorbitant hostelry.
"Ah, a pretty woman" drawled
young Dennis of the -th Lancers.
'Who is she?" queried his compan-
ion.
John Beresford rose languidly from
his chair and satisfied his curiosity at
the porter's office
tits Bob Molyneux's wife," he said
TO his friend. Fancy One Of my old
est pals. was so sick at having missed
him this morning. He left just before
| got here. All! there is Mrs. de la
Fame; she's a pretty woman, if you
like. was introduced to her this
morning by old Vigors."
He sprang to his feet and offered his
chair to tall, graceful woman who
had entered the hall as he spoke.
She accepted 1t with a smile, and in
moment the little group attracted al
eyes. Mrs. de la Fame was one of the
leading spirits Of the hotel; the &C
knowledged beauty, whose wonderful
eyes drew every man into her tolls
Her husband was rolling in money
he was reported to be Johannesburg
millionaire; but the reports were ra
Their vague. It was sufficient for hel
admirers that he spent his money Xix,
water, gave the best dinners a MAJ
could wish to sit down to, and did no
scowl when other men smiled at hi
wife.
"What brings you down to Cap
Town, Capt. Beresford?" asked Mrs
de la Fame. Major Vigors tells nj
your regiment is in the thick of i
JLst now" She raised her great vic
let eyes to the young mans face al
she spoke.
The implication underlying the wor
stung him. He flushed, and tapped
side pocket in his coat.
I have got a little bag here" h
said with meaning-which contains
well, few papers of importance"
"Oh!" laughed Mrs. de la Fame
see. You are one of Kitchener's mes
senger boys. Rather a satisfactor
berth, isn't it, Captain? No risk, n
worry, no exertion."
John Beresford caught those violt
eyes again full in his own His heal
beat faster. He did not care to appe5
as one of no Importance in this won
ans eyes. His mission demanded s.
Crecy, yet for the moment his tongl
ran away with him.
''You are wrong, mrs. de la Fame
he smiled in reply. "The papers wou
be worth-well, lot to Kruger or B
tina"
A sudden CLEAN came into the wor
ans eyes. John Beresford saw it, b
thought nothing of it. The silken tot
were already about him.
Come and lunch with me, Cal
Beresford, and you, too. Mr.. Dennis
said Mrs. de la Fame
Two days passed away. Muriel NJ
lyneux felt inexpressibly lonely. tt
bustling, frivolous atmosphere of hot
Jared on her Tortured with ankle
for her husband, she hated the laug