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

I himself to his hostess, a well-prcserved
matron intent upon being agreeable TO
her rich guest.
THAT Is Miss Lyndc, my governess;
really q superior young person, and
the children are quite devoted to her"
explained the lady, with much gra-
clousness.
Janet, in a blue lawn dress and
broad-brlmmed garden hat was seated
upon a rustic bench, ostensibly reading.
but IN reality gazing out over the fair
green meadow that stretched before
her, while she pondered absently upon
the lnscrutable ways that had brought
Roger WINDOWS uncle under tho same
roof with her.
The winter was gone and summer
had come again since she and Roger
had parted In a despairlng letter OF
farewell she had learned that ne had
/ parted from his uncle in anger-had
gone out into the wide world to work
out his fortune. but not without the
hope, he added, that some day he
should come back to seek and claim
her.
Janets reverle was interrupted by
voices close by her. and, rising hastily
in her confusion, Miss Lynde was in
PRODUCED to Mr.. Window. The sun.
light and faint bushes met upon her
cheek, and made her positively beautl-
full for the time, as she stood talking
to the stately and ceremoniOus old
gentleman who had once held her hap.
piness in his hand, and had refused to
| give 1t to her.
Long ago Janet had confessed to her.
self that Roger WINDOWS love would
have crowned her life with happiness
indeed For life had been a colorless
affair for Janet until the advent of this
handsome and ardent lover, and now
that he was gone Miss Lynde discov-
cred that, after ALL she rad not been
impervious to the influence Of an abb
sorblng love. There was n singular
mixture Of reverence and repugnance
in the girls mind towards this proud
and self-opinionated old man, and Miss
Lynde's eyes and lips were very grave
as she answered Mr.. WINDOWS cour-
tier-like speeches, and walked beside
him down the trim garden path.
Evidently he was not aware that this
was the woman who had taken his
nephew away from him. Roger had
withheld the name, and the other had
not had the curiosity to inquire after
it. The fact was sufficient to the in
flexible old man. His nephew wished
to form a connection beneath his po-
sitlon in life. The woman had suf-
fclent shrewdness to see that his con-
sent was necessary to make her mar
rlage to his adopted heir a desirable
one. Mr.. Window congratulated him
self on his own astuteness when he alb.
solutely declined this compliance with
his hot-headed nephew's impassioned
and very impatient demands. So the
two equally fiery and obstinate natures
had met in wordy combat, and both
had been worsted, though each refused
to yield.
They had parted in anger, and Mr..
Samuel Window was trying the effect
Of change and variety in his now lonely
life; for, all unacknowledged to him
self, he felt his nephews detection
keenly, and but for his pride would
have begged him to come back again,
In the meantime, Mr.. Window found
himself becoming greatly interested in
this serious eyed Miss Lynde Quite
unaware, Janet had touched the vul.
nerable spot in Samuel WINDOWS ma
ture He fancled he saw in her a fair
resemblance to his dead wife, and she
had not dispelled the illusion by the
fashionable airs and affectation that
young ladies generally display. Sc
Mr.. WINDOWS visit at Mrs. Burdett'F
elegant country mansion was prolonged
from week to week, until that lady
confidently asserted to her husband
the belief that Mr.. Window intended
marrying their governess; and certain
ly the lady's theory was not withou
sufficient basis, for the gentleman''
old-fashioned and courtly attentions
were impressive enough TO even unob
servant eyes.
One morning as Miss Lynde wa'
leaving her room, she was rather
startled by Mr.. WINDOWS servan
handing her a letter, with that gentle
mans compliment.
could it be possible that he wa
really about to propose to her, as Mrs
Burdett had vaguely minated?
thought Janet, as she broke the sea
in some perturbation; and this is wha
she read:
"NIy Dear Young LADY, have con
: sidered whether l should speak to yoI