The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-12-09

not rose year courage, Tor you have
friends waiting to help you"
Heaven be thankedl" exclaimed
Alice. "But who are you? Are yoa
one Of my friends?"
"You shall know who am in good
time the maid rejoined. IF l ha,
not been your friend you would have
had a drink tonight that would have
sent you to sleep two hours ago. Have
you gained anything by being awaken"
"Everything!" said Alice. softly,
clasping in her own the little hands
offered her.
The next evening in accordance With
his plot Thane nderhill took up the
supper tray, carried it into Alice's
room, set it down on the round table,
and moved one cup of tea across to
her.
Just then draught Of air made
the light flare.
What does that mean?" he asked,
quickly.
Il broke the window today to get
breath of fresh air." she replied
YEARLY, beginning to stir the tea in
her cup; land | tried to fasten my
shawl up there tonight, to keep the
air out-but it won't stay, I'm cold
now!"
And she shivered slightly.
He got up to fasten the shawl for
her, and in the instant when his back
was turned she changed the cups.
"You shall walk in the garden to-
morrow" he said, quietly, coming
back to the table and sitting down
Il don't want your dear cheeks to grow
pale"
Il must have liberty at some price
soon, Thane Underhill, or l think /
shall die! l don't suppose you mean
to murder me with your unkindness,"
she said.
"My darling, how can you say such
dreadful things when you know how
love you-how little life would be
worth to me without you"
But Alice would not answer him.
She only slipped her tea and took a
small slice of cake. Then she drew
back from the table, and looked at
her tiny watch.
ut is half-past nine" she said, at
length, as he made no move to go, "and
am sleepy"
Just then there was a tap at the
door, and Ethelyn White beckoned TO
him.
THE minister is wanting you to
sign paper before-before the time"
she said, hesitating and blushing.
He went out, locking the door be-
hind him.
"See that you are ready at ten
o'clock You will be wanted as wit
ness" he said to her.
She waited and listened until she
heard him go down the stairs; then
hurrying round to the other door, she
unlocked it, and admitted six persons
Three of them were policemen, and
Ethelyn made them walk on tip-toes
across the room, where the other door,
opening, would de their immediate
presence. The next person who en-
tered was the old minister who had
baptized Alice Miles, and behind him
came Acton Lloyd!
For enc moment they were speech
less in each others arms; then the
minister, in low tones, began and con-
cluded the ceremony that made them
husband and wife, Acton having pro-
cured a special license.
Alice turned to speak to Ethelyn;
but the false hair had vanished, and
the old brown dress had been replaced
by pretty blue and white lawn-and
there was Unett Lloyd, her husbands
brave young sister, who had in some
way best known to herself, come there
as Miss Miles waiting-maid.
But there was no time for explana-
ton. The door was thrown suddenly
open, and Thane Underhil and his
friend stood in establishment on the
threshold.
Unett Lloyd made him a curtesy.
1--WE couldn't wait for such tardy
groom" she said, laughing, 'and so
Acton has taken your place" Just
then the clock struck ten.
The hour had come, but it was not
an hour of triumph for Underhill.-
New York News.
Japan the Cherry-Blossom Land.