The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-12-04

certain bonds and household property.
Of which we viii speak more explicitly
II you consent 70 regard fnvorably my
proposition. In this event I should
also desire 10 adopt you legally as my
daughter-that you should assume my
name, with all its privileges, and the
assurance again repeated that l am
acting upon matured reflection and a
sincere motive Of mutual benefit.
Truly yours.
SAMUEL WINDOW"
Miss Lynde felt extremely perplexed
as she refolded her letter. What
should she do? Would she be hurting
Roger WINDOWS interest In accepting
his uncle's proposals, or. rather. would
she not be rendering him a service in
securing him against others who might
be more self-interested than she?
Altogether 1t was Irresistible. The
thought Of relgning in the house where
Roger had nved-perhaps to have him
come back some day to find her there
awaiting him.
A little later, then. and Janet Lynde
beheld herself transformed into an Inn
portant parsonage, with all the lux
urious surroundings and costly Access
sorles that bedtted a rich mans daugh-
ter.
Mr.. Window was kindness itself in
his stately, old-fashioned manner, and
yet Janet was not altogether content
The coming home to which she had
looked forward so hopefully had not
come to pass, and upon the subject Of
hts truant nephew Samuel Window
spoke never a word.
"And so, Uncle Samuel. you have
brought me back all this way to tell me
you have found me a wife? But it is
out Of the question. There is only one
woman in the world you could induce
me to marry, and she will not marry
me-"
wait until you have seen my daugh-
ter" said his uncle, with a benign
smile.
1T is scarcely worth while to quar-
rel at our first meeting" thought
Roger, as he came slowly down stairs
as the dinner bell sounded.
Then he opened the door and entered
the room. Standing before the fire.
with her back to him, he saw a slender
female figure, with soft brown hair
braided smoothly into q crown upon a
well-shaped head, and her trailing silk
robe Of pale hue hanging in statuesque
folds about her.
She turned slowly and brought him
face to face with Janet Lynde
"Janet, you here?" he cried eagerly,
his whole handsome face lighting up
with a delighted smile. II suppose, ;"
slowly, as the smile faded, but with her
hand still tightly clasped in his, "that
you are married"
''No, not married." Janet answered.
"At least" be said, drinking in the
beauty Of her face with hungry eyes
''at least you are more prosperous"
with a chick glance at her heavily
jeweled hands and the richness of her
ivory-tinted gown.
eyes; I have been greatly blessed"
she answered quietly.
"And l suppose that you are here
visiting this paragon my uncle raves
about? Janet, do you know my uncle
sent me a beautiful letter full of the
idea of mutual forgiveness and recon
citation, and when 1 arrive, full of
penitence for my own shortcomings,
behold, it was to marry me to his new
daughter that he wanted me"'
And Roger Window looked infinitely
| disguised at the bare idea.
ut would be a most desirable mar
riage for YOU" said Janet, demurely
looking down.
"Do not be unkind," said the young
man, with q beseeching accent of en-,
treaty. "For your sake 1 went willing.
ly into exile Already have been for.
turate enough to lay the foundation
of future independence. Once !
have gained a secure foothold, promise
me, my Janet, that I may come home
to claim you for my very own. VIII
you promise, my darling"
The eager voice had assumed a dan
gerous tenderness as the words poured
forth, but the girl only answered:
you have forgotten, Mr. Window
that the obstacles that existed still re
main, Go they not? Believe me, thu
marriage your uncle has planned is il
every way suitable, and from the bot
tom Of my heart 1 hope that you vii
marry your uncle's choice"
And Janet was evidently in earnest
"Then I am sorry 1 must disappoin
you both" said the young man, pas
sionately. Unfortunately, / was borl