The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-07-24

great deal TO be able 20 delay his visit
Twenty times did she wish yainly that
she had sent a different answer, even
n Il had resulted IN the loss Of both
her friends. VIII Haywood as q deyot-
ed friend and admirer had been every
thing that was pleasant, but now n
came nearer the idea OF VIII Haywood
as q prospective husband--oh, that was
a different AFFAIR altogether! For she
lew that that was what she had
Ant her message 20 imply. and he
would be quick so 10 understand a..
Then as last the doorbel raag, and
LettiCe heard footsteps crossing the
hall Tho drawing room door opened
and shut again, but her heart was beat
ing so loudly that she did not hear the
narn that had been announced, and
she advanced 10 meet her visitor with
out raising her eyes from the ground.
The next moment she felt herself
caught in a strong pair Of arms, and
kisses were beng rained upon her
face.
My sweetheart-my sweetheart" q
mans voice whispered passionately
again and again. as If IL would never
tire of that delightful repetition.
But what-what was this? The
room whirled round. her eyes closed,
and for a moment she could make no
effort to release herself. For this man
who held her 50 masterfully who was
showering his kisses on her face, and
whispering passionate endearments in
her ear, was not the Will Haywood
she had expected but Humphrey
Forde! Humphrey the grave, the quiet,
whom she had imagined to be afraid of
her! Why was she here? And why,
why had she not known before what
those kisses all at once had made clear
to her-that this was the man she
loved after ALL and had loved all
/ along?
Then suddenly It flashed across her
what had happened. In her haste she
had doubtless inclosed the notes in
the wrong envelopes, and he mad re-
ceived the one meant for Will Hey
wood! But he must know the truth!
To the girls delicate sense of honor
no other course was possible; even
If 1t meant the loss of his love she
would not keep it by acting lie.
"Oh, you mustn't, you mustn't! I've
made a dreadful mistake!" she gasped
almost incoherently, finding voice at
last, and striving frantically to olsen
gage herself.
Humphreys arms suddenly loosened
and he held her away from him to
look into her face.
"A mistaken" he repeated slowly, in
credulously. WAS that what you real
ly said, Lettuce? Do you mean, then,
that you do not love me after alp
The color flushed over the fair little
face from brow to chin, and she hung
her head in silence. No, she could not
say that!
Speak, Lettice!" he said, his voice
grave and almost stern. Il insist on
your telling me this. You knew when
you wrote it what your letter must
imply. Do you mean you were mis-
taken in thinking that you loved me?'
mo, no, not that" she whispered, as
if the truth were being forced from
her
Humphrey could feel how the slight
form trembled. He placed her gently
, in a low chair, and drew another be-
side her.
Come, let me understand" he sale
, more kindly. You say you love me-
is it so? Very good; very good. Their
where lies the mistake? Now tell me
l mean to know and at once"
81 wrote wrote two letters" Let
tice stammered in desperation, and hiC
her face in her hands.
Only four words, but they flashed thu
> truth upon Humphrey Forde
i 81 underestimate last" he said, and
though he spoke quietly, the cir
q shrank as if she had received a blow
: You wrote two letters-at the sam
1 time, I suppose-anG, somehow, b,
S mistake, you sent to me the messag
u intended for another man-for Hey
/ wood? Is that your meaning?"
= 1T must have been so. Oh, can yO
ever forgive me?" she cried miserably
g Humphrey rose from his seat with
out word, and paced up and down tn
room, his brows knit, his face dar
, and stern. The silence grew unbear
IS able to Lettuce. If he would onl
z. speak, even to cover her with re
It proaches! Anything would be bette
than this.
= He turned at last, and came an
je stood before her.
e "Yon told me Just now that 70