The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-05-08

IVI light The proud lady was
giving a small dance to cell
ebrate her only sons homecoming from
college; and Teddy why he was the
happiest young fellow in the world!
And why not? Had he not Just
emerged from the university with fly
Ing colors, and was he not about to
ask the girl Of his heart to gladden.
his heartstone for life?
His mother had said to him duv,nc
the day: Don't be too sanguina.
Teddy for Helen has been accepting
attentions from Mr.. Hawtrey during
the last few months, and he is rich and
world-weary, and just the sort OF man
to fascinate a young girl fond Of Gat-
terry and position"
Helen loves me, I'm sure" replied
confident Ted land, besides, she would
not sell herself"
Well my dear, I hope you are not to
be disappointed, but the ways Of the
girl-of-the-period are beyond me. You
remember Mabel Coulter?"
"Oh, Mabel was a firt" broke in
Ted, land it was not to be expected
that she would marry the man she had
led on; but Helen-I only want her
word that she'll wait until I've made
my future sure. She's true bluer
As for the young lady herself, she
felt sure that Teddy Armstrong would
propose that night; and, though she
confessed that her heart was in a state
Of commOtiOn when she thought Of
him, still it would be awful nice to
be Mrs. Bruce HawTey and live in the
big mansion, have all sorts Of luxuries
and travel in Europe.
And Mr. Hawtrey. He was wild
over, old enough to be Helen's father,
and was voted to be something OF a
cad. 1.-THE little Vernon FLY" he had
remarked, "has lots OF go, and a young
wife would be a novel plaything. now
that my clubs and life in general are
getting to be somewhat Of bore"
The guests had all arrived and every
thing was all jolly. Helen Vernon,
Mr.. Hawtrey and Ted were covertIy
watched By ALL as gossip had it that
both men were dead set on winning
the pretty belle of NJ.
One rotuDd dowage. leaned towards
her neighbor and remarked: Teddy
is so young and HawTey so old that
it seems a race between the cradle and
the grave" accompanying her words
with a mirthless laugh chat made tie
sentimental young maTon whom she
addressed and who hoped that young
Armstrong would be victor, nervous.
HaWtrey, who, to do him justice,
was not so near the grave as the old
gossip implied, took more Of Helen's
dances than good form allows, and
also assumed an air Of proprietorship
that made the younger man wild. He
forgot everything, and resolved inn
petuOusly to have it out with Hawtrey,
quite improperly forgetting that the
blase gentleman was his mothers guest
and entitled TO every courtesy. After
his riy-afs second dance with Helen.
Teddy approached him and said with
a sort of challenge in his voice:
"Come upstairs, Hawtrey. I have
some capital cognac in my rooms. Ia
like your opinion of it,"
Done, my boy" replied the older
nan suavely.
Scarcely had they reached his rooms
when Teddy began hotly:
tNow see here, MI Hawtrey-"
But he got DO farther Hawtrcy
placed one hand on the fiery boy S
shoulder and Observed coolly:
Il know what you would say; but
let US not be impOlite or nasty. She's
mine if she win or she's yours if she
will. Go in and win her, if you can
Remember, I'll show you no quarter
'alls fair in owe"
'But she loves me, she's only dazzled
by your money asserted Ted, with
amazing frankucss.
4 DON'T care whom she loves; it is
whom she VIII marry that interests
me-" answered the older man, with a
cool stare
by heavens, would you marry sir
that Only
q would marry any girl to whom
tocl a notion. if the mood pleased me
Love IS an old fashioned commodity
As., Ey,an, 3ir Armstrong when yor
eee q chance; mean 10, during thi
l."7 dance
Focf Teddy YES s,Uncad his ideal