The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-04-15
Ole Lovers Victory.
By Helen Forest Graves.

vet grass which sloped down to the
silver ridges of sand along the sea-
shore; the curling fringes of snow
white foam broke with soft muir
murous sound on the beach, and Pen
ME Wingate, sitting with her book on
her lap, under the shadow of low
branched cedar tree, could just detect,
\ through the sweet medley of dreamy
summer sound firm, rapid footstep
on the rocky ledge beyond, footstep
whose echo brought the color to her
cheek and the dewy sparkles to her
eye.
Penelope Wingate was very pretty;
just eighteen, with large, dark-blue
eyes; brown, shining hair, and skin
soft and translucent as mother-of-
pearl. She was slightly above the me-
a dunn size, with that graceful sway
y ing motion of every limb that must
necessarily be born with one, for art
never can initiate it's supple ease.
Yes, she was very pretty, and so
Hugh Barton thought, as he ap-
preached and saw her, an unconscious
tableau in herself
He himself was fit. mate for her,
In his tall vigorous manhood, dark and
brilliant, with certain Castilllan
style of beauty. No wonder that PEN
ME Wingate had learned to love him
with all the earnestness of her noble,
womanly nature.
Alone, Pennie?" he said, pausing,
as his shadow fell across the pages of
her book. 81 did not anticipate SO
good an opportunity to ask you to go
with me to the beach picnic tomorrow.
Will you allow me the pleasure OF be-
coming your escort?"
The question, asked with playful
4 formality, was answered at once:
"Of course | will, Hugh. Maj. True
fit asked me two hours ago, and | said
I was engaged; for, of course" she
added, with that pretty, royal way of
taking things for granted that belongs
of right to beauty, Il knew you would
want me to go with you"
That's a good little Pennie. Then |
will have the boat ready at ten pre-
cisely."
"Are we going in boats?" she asked.
ITO be sure. The distance by car
riage is altogether too great; the boats
will take us there in half the time"
"But are you a good oarsman"
"Capital. You shall have an oppor-
tunity tomorrow Of judging" he an
swered, gravely.
'But, Hugh"
She hesitated.
Nov, then, what is coming?"
laughed he. "You look as solemn as a
Judge"
80 will you when hear Uncle Percy
is going withem e."
Going with your"
Eyes; some odious nonsense or other
about studying the conchology Of the
beach, but know it's only to prevent
q tete-a-tete between you and me. For
you know he's determined shall mar
ry Charlie Allston."
Mr.. Barton bit his lip and contracted
his brows; the prospect of stout Uncle
Percy In the prov of his little boat
was by no means alluring.
Cant we give him the slip?" he
said, discontentedly.
I'm afraid not; he Is my legal guar
dian, you know" Pennie answered,
softly signing.
Hugh Barton whistled, under his
breath.
well, darling, what must be, must
be. l would prefer Uncle Percy in his
armchair at home, or in the dome of
st. Peters, or anywhere he pleases so
long as it is not with us; but, as
you say, he has right to accompany
you, and we must just make the best |
of it."
Pennie looked up in establishment. |
Hugh Barton was not in the general |
habit of submitting so resignedly to |
the DEGREES of fate. She scarcely knew |
what to make of it.
you'll be sure to be ready at ten
Uncle Percy and all?"
Eyes, we will be ready"
And Mr.. Barton and Miss Wingate |
strolled along homeward, in the level |
radiance of sunset, enjoying the fra
grant quiet and silence, broken only
by their own low voices, until they |
came in sight of the huge, barnlike, |
seaside hotel, where people cramped |
themselves up in seven-by-nine rooms
all day for the pleasure and privilege
of saltwater bathing and fashionable
society, during the meridian glow of
the summer months
Uncle Percy was on the qui vive for
tbem-a stout old gentleman, with
red face and shining bald head-and