Smyrna times., 1904-07-13
He, She
And Charles
Augustus ,x
By F. B.
WRIGHT
CopWlght, 1901, by
T. c. Mcclure
1sOSOsOeOsOsOOsOsOsOs

well enough DuI Hiu clOuueu over soon
after he had started on his lessons
about the dog and the rat and the ac-
tive cat. Then Higgins had brought
Miss Purvis letter. and with it some
thing had entered into Charles Angus
tus life that he could by no means un-
derstand.
You see, Charles Augustus loved his
governess greatly. She came next to
his father and mother and way above
the goat. Charles Augustus had quite
decided to marry Miss PurviS when he
grew up and had even talked over the
details with the young lady herself
The letter, when she read it, made
Miss Purvis' face 80 all pink and beau
tiful. and then pale and her eyes fill
with tears. Then she put the letter
away in the bosom of her gown, and
Charles Augustus thought that was
the end of it. But it was not, for as
often as he looked up from his book or
slate he saw Miss Purvis reading the
letter, and each time he saw tears in
her eyes.
What could it be in those scrawly
black marks to make people cry? He
cried when he was spanked or shut up
in a closet or had to do something he
did not want tO-but this wasn't like
that. Charles Augustus could not un-
derstand this silent crying. When he
cried he wanted to let the whole world
knOw-and usually succeeded.
Later, when lessons were over, he
saw Miss Purvis, through the window,
writing letter, and she was crying
over that. Plainly there was some
thing in this writing business which
was decidedly unpleasant. Charles Au-
gustus decided then and there that he
would never write Then when she
had finished she went off to the village
and would not let Charles Augustus
go with her.
In that half hour of easy time which
came when Charles Augustus had
shifted from his day things into the
ample lengths of his flannel pyjamas
and, cuddled down into the. big chair
with Miss Purvis. toasted his pink
toes before the fire preparatory to 60
ing bedward. he came once more across
this peculiar thing which he could not
understand, for Miss Purvis was
strangely silent, only answering list
less yes or no to his observations on
life and the curious ways of people
and the idiOsyncrasies of the goat. She
did not take much interest even when
he touched upon the many things he
would give her when he became a
man and they were married-the rings
like mammals and an express wagon
and q jar of ginger. Though her arm
drew him close when he told her how
much he loved her, yet Charles Angus
tus was not satisfied. He felt as
though something invisible were be
tween them.
He put up a hand and turned hel
face toward him.
You do love me, don't you?" hC
said And you will wait for me unit
l am big?"
She kissed him and told him Yes
She would always be his sweetheart
But I'm afraid. dear, I'll have TO g
away Will you mind?"
Charles Augustus minded very mucl
and said so, and the thought kept hin
awake long after he had got into hi
bed. Through the door he could sc
Miss Purvis and the fire. Then he say
her Of a sudden bend forward, he
face in her arms, and hear her sob.
Though he wanted to comfort hel
something told Charles Augustus tina
Miss Purvis wanted to be let alone
At last she raised her tear stained face
NO, it must not be-! Charles Al
gustus heard her say. 'They woul
think it was for his money. 1t is be
ter as it is-better for him. l mus
leave here as soon as l can. and, oh,
don't want to"
Then Miss Purvis took the lette
kissed it and put it in a box on h'
dressing table. q box with curious pa
terms in mother of pearl on it, al
with a queer lock that only she al
Charles Augustus knew how to open.
Charles Augustus mind started
work this thing out. This letter WI
the cause of Miss Purvis' feeling ba
1t must be taken away-that was
about it,
The room was quiet; the fire died
little glow. of winking embers; Mi
Purvis was asleep. Charles August
got up and got the letter. Then he h
it under the mattress and went
sleep with lighter heart. Now MI
Purvis would be happy again. and
would not go away.
But the next day Miss Purvis W
not happy. True, she did not cry, n
did she read the letter which Charl
Augustus had craftily tucked insl
his blouse, but yet she was not [
Miss Purvis of aforetime, who laugh
and sang and romped on the lawn WI
him. 1t was not the mere possessl
Of the letter then. What was 1t?
''He must not come" II must lea
here" Charles Augustus remember
those words Some one was comi
then; some one who would carry Nj
Purvis, the beloved, away. Char