The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-01-22

4 kAduy years Udch, hdd Sic SCuCuSQ the
guitar. but tonight she was irresist-
IDLY impelled to take 1t out and handle
it once more. Poor thing! A sad
looking object 1t was! The pearl set
tings loosened, a long crack across it's
face AS she lifted it tenderly from
its case, her hands accidentally swept
across the tuneless strings and brought
forth wall that made Miss Triffet
SILVER.
Nothing but the ghost of lost happi-
ness could have evoked such a wall
as that" she said, half aloud, while a
sharp, sobbing sigh caught her throat
Reyerently she stopped and kissed the
poor old thing, and then seating ner-
self, laid it softly across her lap. With
her handkerchief she delicately wiped
the dust away and then mechanically
began to tune the strings. The spell
was on her, and in moment she had
struck into the old Spanish ditty, so
dear in the past. Over and over
again she sang the little song, her
voice gaining confidence at each repe-
tition, until it swelled forth with al
/
So absorbed was she that the person
ON the other eide of the door was
obliged to knock loudly three times
before the sound was carried to Miss
Triffets inner consciousness.
please, Miss Triffet," said the land
lady, when she finally gained a hear
| ing, "the gentleman on the floor above
l. prin fol- hoe
asked mo VINO it was singing down
| here. told him didn't know, but as
| it's you, miss, l thought maybe you
wouldn't mind coming up and singing
for him, just ONCE
"Oh, Mrs. Mulligan!" exclaimed
Miss Triffet, II couldn't; I never sing
for anybody. | haven't sang for
years." She flushed painfully at the
idea
Indeed, miss, l wouldn't ask you. but
being a cripple, an ALL and he seems
awful low, like, this evening Indeed,
miss she added in a whisper, Il be-
lieve on my heart, he's been crying"
Miss Triffet's tender heart was
touched. What did it matter? A sac
manity! Why not this kind as we'll
as another? So flushed and trembling
with excitement, she assembled the
stairs to the auditor.
I'm sorry, but | only know a few
little things" she began, as she en-
tered. "Only little song or two; but
If they give you pleasure l shall be
very glad"
AS her auditor turned his face to the
light Ellice Triffet beheld-John Gray.
ooh, Ellice! Ellice!" ne cried. "For-
give me for sending for you. My heart
cried out for you so, | could not help
it, dear, l could not help it, 1t has
been so hard all these years.. but l
would not come into your bright young
life, I wretched cripple, dependent
upon the bounty of my friends. For
give me, dear, forgive mel l knew
you thought | was dead, and it was
better so-but, oh, my darling! how
hungry my heart has been for YOU"
During these impetuous words Miss
Triffet had stood as if frozen to the
floor.
ooh, John!" she walled, as with
swift motion she went to the bed and
knelt by his side. oh, my love! my
love! how could you, how could you,
all these years?'
Sweetheart, did not tell you | was
dependent upon the bounty Of my
friends? How could | marry you? 1t
was best that you should be left to
forget me-"
''You are no longer dependent upon
the bounty Of your friends, John, dear.
Your wife, DEAR" she replied to his
questioning look, flushing till she
looked almost as young as she had
done ten years before, under the wood
bine, your wife will take care Of you.
Nay! No protests. You cannot help
yourself l shall marry you in spite OF
yourself. See, dear, this is leap year,
and intend to press my rights. Dear"
she added tenderly, do not break my
heart by refusing to accept this from
me. Would you not have done it for
me? Life will seem an Eden, if we
can be together. Think what you are
doing for me by just simply living and
being your own true self"
A loving smile gave assent.
When am l to be married?" asked
he with mock meekness
Ellice Triffet laughed.
'In st. Johns, in June" she an
swerej softly, but firmly, as one who
has made arrangements that were not
to be gainsaid--Waverley Magazine.
Women Know How to Laugh.
A critic IF mankind ohsarvac that