The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-08-28

q AANHH tNAHtNl'H aNh hAN ANNHAa r
mot yet / don't expect 10 be hum
Gry before luncheon time"
Hester froze again at his impudence.
Whereat he laughed until the tears
came IN his eyes
81 b-beg your pardon" he STAN
mered. Whenever / choke that way
have to laugh" And he laughed again.
Then he Strengthened up About this
man Hill" he said. rs he 50 very
muchW
She shuddered at his slang.
"AIr Barclay Hi Is the legal adviser
Of the great house Of Barham & Col
die. lie is one Of the leading men in
his profession, a gentleman Of whom
all men speak highly. We are proud
70 acknowledge that such a man Is a
friend Of the family"
She said this with a whitening en-
ph0sis that should have had It's effect
on the improydont person before her.
But he only laughed again.
81 wasn't much impressed by his
looks" he said.
"He has n fine face said Hester
quickly. a strong face, and a beautl.
fully poised head
1T struck me that the poise slanted
his head little too sharply backward"
said this incorrigible.
Hester frowned.
ave will drop the subject" she said.
"Please don't" said the incorrigihe.
Il have never heard Barclay Hill dis
! cussed before. There is a delightful
novelty about it that of course may not
appeal to you. You know him SO
| well?
"He is an old friend" said Hester Sc
verely.
"He looks older than I supposed"
persisted the incorugible.
Il have no doubt that the business
burdens he carries have done much to
age him before his time" said Hester.
The incorrigible suddenly choked
again, but this time he controlled the
afIliction better.
IF l am not greatly mistaken" he
said, you would have me regard this
Hill as a model upon which to pattern
my own conducts"
you couldn't find better" she said.
Once more he showed signs of chok-
ing again, but happily warded it off.
I'm afraid" he said, chat you are
asking NE to aspire a little too high"
Il don't expect so much Of you" said
Hester, "but really feel that it is not
too late for you to strive to improve
to drop your foolish scheming and to
cultivate a higher degree of-of fnGn-
cial responsibility"
VERY well put" he said, "and /
thank you. II l understand you Alright
you are afraid that l mean to borrow
money from your father. Come, I'll
promise not to ask him for a cent"
Thank you" said Hester. But if
he forces money on you"
"TI make him take it back" He
promised him this seriously. but his
eyes merrily twinkled.
Il begin to have some confidence in
YOU" said Hester. She hesitated.
IF you really are in want 1 would be
glad to aid you myself" She produced
a little purse. But don't ask father"
He put up his hand quietly.
Don't tempt me, f" he cried. Then his
tone suddenly changed. by jove, he
said, here comes your father!' and he
pointed to the window.
Sure enough the head of the house
hold was ascending the steps.
HE must have caught an early car
said Hester as she turned toward Tie
, door
"Well, WELL said Richard Palmer,
: pausing in the doorway, Il scarcely
hoped to find you two together. Arc
5 you really acquainted?
f "Not formally" said the young man
and his twinkling eyes rested OIL
, Hester.
j, Hester dear said her father, "let
] me present our very good friend, Mr.
. Barclay Hill. Mr.. Hill, Miss Palmer
1 Hester felt the blood leap in hel
S cheeks. Her lips trembled She die
1 not dare to look up She wanted t.
. drop through the floor. Fortunately
her father failed to notice her agita
@ ticn.
4 And now where is the impecuniou'
e guest?" he cried rs he looked around
/ Surely he came:"
S He's in the study, father"
How strangely her voice sounded.
r I'm see him in there"
As the door closed behind her fathe,
g the young man quickly stepped toward
n Hester
mot a word, he softly said. "Onl!
Z. remember that you owe me an explain
{ alton, and that it is my right to collec