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

right had ne 10 appear so careless and
Indifferent? She pointed 90 a chair and
he seated himself She took q chair on
the opposite side Of the room. She
must not neglect the little sermon she
had mentally promised him.
MY father has spoken OF you" she
said.
Indeed. Agreoably, / hope|
Hester hesltated
"N0t entirely"
His eyes opened q little wider.
II am sorry for that And he has al
ways seemed so very kind"
He Is too kind" said Hester quick
~. "And too easily imposed upon"
That's the penalty of having a SYM
pathetic heart" said the young man.
How indifferently he spoke Of this.
How tOughened he must be-
you are not so old as 1 supposed
you to be" said Hester
81 am older than look, l fancy" he
said. Il feel at times that I don't look
old enough. It's really a drawback
WIN most people.
you have been in your present bust
ness for some time, she said.
NEARLY ten years" he answered. 81
went at It pretty young"
You like it?'
"Oh, yes. It's second nature to me
now"
you do not find it distasteful?
NO.
He looked at her curlously. a rather
/ singular girl she seemed to him-and
singularly attractive, too.
Il know something about your mis-
sion here" she said in freezing tones.
DO you:'
eyes, and do not approve Of it."
you do not approve of it? May
ask why?"
1T does not appeal to me. have told
my father So"
May ask what he saidT
you know his kind heart"
Perhaps nobody knows It better"
We'll, he declined to take my adj
vice"
(Which means"
THAT you are to wait"
The young man looked thoughtful.
DO you object to the schene?"
Il object to all such schemes"
But there seems to be a lot OF money
in it,"
Il believe" said Hester, sarcastically.
that that is a popularity of all your
schemes"
The visitor slightly flushed.
Il will admit" he said, that l have
been reasonably fortunate"
Hester stared at him. That flush
upon his cheek was actually a blush OF
pride.
And yet I beg OF you, she said
mot to work upon his feelings again
1t disuesses him to think Of saying nc
to you, and yet there must be a stoT
to this"
The visitor slightly Strengthened up
Il wonder what your father could hay,
said concerning meT he said II
seems to have greatly preiudiced you
Before Hester could speak again &
sudden interruption drove the reparte,
from her lips. There was a sharl
crash as of some solid body falling
from 4 height and striking on an equal
" solid object. Hester sprang up ant
turned toward the door of the inne
apartment.
WAS it here?" Queried the visitor
as he hurried forward and faced til,
study door. "And may 1 have you
| permission?" And without waiting 70
an answer he quickly opened the door
1t was a small room and its content
were taken in at a glance. The chic
of these was the venerable stranger
He was stretched back in the cas-,
chair with his feet on another chain
sound asleep. And from his half-opeI
mouth came a prolonged mutterina
He had eaten his biscuits and emptie
his tea cup. 1t was the fall Of thi
cup from the table to the floor that ha
aroused Hester and the young mar
But it did not arouse the sleeper.
For moment the two stared into tn
room, and then Hester drew back an
motioned to the young man to close tn
door. He latched it softly and turne
to Hester. There was a question in hi
glance.
"A friend Of the family said Heste
stinly.
His face seems familiar" the youn
man remarked. I'm sure have see
; him before"
VERY likely" said Hester drill!
VERY likely. He has the reputation {
= being generous"
: The young man looked at her queerl.
If I remember right" he said, ''h
generosity had nothing to do with til