The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-01-23
A Temporary Substitutes Permanent Place.


~ had a fortnights leave, which
5utv required him to spend with his
nalden aunt IN the country, while in-
1ination strongly urged him to go up
3 town in order TO see the girl ne
owed But on this occasion duty had
! be- considered, for Miss Drury, the |
aunt in question, was a wealthy ola !
lady, and he was practically Deepen
lent upon her.
All things considered, however, Fate
had not been so very unllind to FellA'
eft an orphan at an early age, ne
had been adopted by his mothers eli
der sister who had done her duty
poblv by him. Now at the age OF TWEEN
ty.hve he found himself a supallerh
IN one of the line regiments, with
handsome allowance from his aunt
and every prospect of becoming her
heir. But-there is always a put III
most peoples lives-although MISS
Drury had been more than hberal 70
her nephew and forebore to exercise
any but a very nominal restraint over
his actions, yet she had given MN %
understand that she meant to exert
her authority in one important mat
ter. namely, the question OF his mar
Rage. .oa
In due course Of time she intended
Felix to become master OF Woou-
lands. her beautiful old house, anu
since his wife would occupy her place
as mistress, Miss Drury meant to Inn
it. if not direct, her nephew's cholce
Of a bride.
She did not approve Of the modern
woman, the up-to-date girl, with neI
cigarette and her slang, her talk Of
golf and bridge, her contempt Ioi
needlework, and all things pertaining
70 domesticity. Felix could see IN MS
minds eye the wife his aunt destined
for him-a meek and modest youns
woman of ultra-refned speech and up
vuyafance. and always with a piece 0
fancy work between her fingers-an'
he shuddered at the picture. Ihen ~
thought with a sudden Tightening Q
his heart, of Kitty Bellairs, as ne MAJ
seen her last summer at the nous
of a brother oficer-beautlful, mis-
cbievous, high-spirited a keen TENN
Dlaver. a brilliant horseWoman, III
of life and laughter. She had charme
the young mans heart out OF hlm' al
though Felix tried desperately har
to Danish her from his memory, a
eence in this case, had certain
made the heart grow fonder.
q darent tell Aunt Minnie abo'
Kitty" thought the young man DISCO
solateiy. "Of course if she knew NJ
as I do she couldn't help but love n
although she isn't quite h
style, but I don't see how ever th'
are to meet, since my little DARN
knows no one in this neighborhoo
and Aunt Min never will come up
town"
IN the depths Of his heart Felix W
genuinely fond Of the old lady, W
had SO generously mothered him
his life and he was therefore Tath
disconnected to find when he reach
Woodlands that Miss Drury was We
much perturbed and upset abe
something. Generally his aunt was
very dainty looking little old lady,
0uisitely dressed, and the perfect
Of hostess. But on this particu
afternoon she greeted her nephew
an absentminded fashion, her
slightly awry, her cheeks flushed,
her beautiful old hands trembling.
"Why, Aunt Minnie" said
young man anxiously, whatever
the matter?"
ooh. my dear Felix" replied
old lady. looking into his handso
face with troubled blue eyes, Il h
had such dreadful upset. Two of
bousemaids are down with induel
and now Parzins, who is quite inv
\able, has declared she can hold up
onger, and has gone to bed serio'
iNnI fear"
Aw gave a whistle Of dismay
kin9 Vas cook-houselleeper at W.
IandS 4nd the pivot upon which
rest On Ae household turned She
an exceptionally good cook, and
knew that his aunt prided herself
her dinners were unsurpassed in
neighborhood.
4 would not have minded had
been alone" continued Miss Dr
but the house is full of people,
I have a large dinner party to
row"
what a catastrophe" exclaimed
nephew, alphabetically, who }
how yexed was Miss Drury's or,