The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-12-04

SEOlS impertlnentr
Miss Lynde drew her
slim figure 20 It's height and flashed In
dlgnant eyes upon the gentleman op-
posite.
"And So" said Roger Window. his
manner assuming sudden warmth,
you consider me impertinent because,
to my eyes. you are the lOveliest
woman in the world. and, therefore,
have asked you to marry me, whether
my uncle likes Il or not?"
The young man was thoroughly in
earnest now, and poured out his words
without reference to rhetoric or effect.
1T is precisely that to which 1 OBJ
ject," interrupted Miss Lynde. imperl-
ously. Listen to me. You come here
where I am employed as governess. os-
tensibly to visit the lady of the house
in reality to see me. You waylay me
on the street when so out to walk;
you annoy me. and astonish Miss Bur
dett by asking for a private interview;
and then you tell me, with your usual
assurance, that you would like to
marry me- although your uncle, upon
whom you are entirely dependent, has
emphatically refused his consent. You
leave my possible feelings altogether
out Of your consideration, Mr.. Window
You should remember that l have my
own dignity to uphold and that I am
not a scheming adventures trying to
thrust myself upon an unwilling fam
ily."
Miss Lynde stopped breathless,
though in her excitement her gray
eyes still flashed dangerously.
eat least, you have been very plain
spoken" said Roger Window, bitterly,
standing as he had listened with his
black brows contracted and arms fold
ed upon his breast. "And now, per-
haps, Miss Lynde, you will permit me
to answer you. have very little to
offer in defense, except that I have
been foolish enough to love you madly
from the moment that l saw you smile
and heard you speak. I have no eX-
cuse ready for my reprehensible con-
duct in waylaying you on the street
none for asking you to accept the de-
votion Of my life. Pardon me that in
dwelling on my own selfish hopes 1
have failed to consider the delicacy
of your position But 1 will not trou-
bic you farther, Miss Lynde; will
bid you good-by."
"Stay a moment" interrupted the
lady, with a OBTAINING gesture. "Mr.
Window, you have shamed me into an
apology for my ungracious words"
with a smile void Of cOquetry in its
perfect frankness. you do not know
what my life has BEEN" she added
gently. Gwen as a child knew what
unhappiness meant, for my poor
mother married, even as you wish me
to do, against the wishes of her hus-
bands family. In a year he was tired
of her-accused her of having spoiled
his career; finally, he deserted her.
Before my poor mother died she told
me the sad story. promised her then
that I would never marry as she had
done; and, so help me Heaven! l never
will" The beautiful eyes were full
of unshed tears as they were raised
to Roger WINDOWS face, and the girls
voice trembled as she went on. Il
thank you indeed for the honor you
have done me; will even acknowledge
that under different circumstances I
might have learned to love you. But,
as it is. it is better we should never
meet Do not come here any MORE
do not see me again, and you will soon
forget that such an insignificant person
exists as Janet Lynde."
AS she ceased speaking, Miss Lynde's
pale face was lit up with an April
smile, and the hand extended in token
of farewell was firmly clasped between
two larger palms.
Il shall not forget you" said the
young man, passionately, his brown
I eyes looking with a triumphant glad
ness into hers. "And I shall love you
until the hour Of my death. This
shall tell my uncle, and if he still per
sists in refusing to give his consent
without knowing you, or even so much
as hearing your name, then hencefortf
he and are strangers For, Janet
what you are not allowed to share
neither will 1 possess nor enjoy; an(
so. darling. for long time, good-by.'
Before Miss Lynde had quite recoy
cred herself Roger Window had kissed
the little hand so closely imprisoned II
his own and was gone.
For a long time she stood as he hat
left her, with hands hanging helpless
" at her side and head downcast. Sh
was not a beautiful woman, scarcel.
n noticeable one among a number, ant
vet there was something noble in tn