The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-11-11

Clarence Smith"
He started, in his turn, ana gazed
scrutinizingly into her face.
Il thought it was familiar to mel"
he exclaimed, land now know it.
Violet! who would have thought of
meeting you here?"
Violet Brown trembled like an aspen
leaf, but she strove to control herself
"The world is full of just chance
meetings, Clarence"
She had half turned away but the
gentleman had put down his valise,
and was evidently inclined not to part
with her So readily.
stop Violet-do not go away. My
loyel I have so longed to see you, all
these years. Tell me that you have
not entirely forgotten the past--that
you have still word of tenderness for
the hayward lover who flung away his
brightest chances of happiness long
ago! Violet, you were my first love
be my last?"
"Do you love me still. Clarense?
she asked, the blue-gray eyes soften
ing to strangely tender brightness.
do / breathe and exist still? l
tell you, Violet, my heart is like the
century plant, which only blossoms
once-and its poisoning is in the
sunshine of your love alone"
She was silent-lovelier than ever,
Clarence thought, in the momentary
indecision, the shy hesitation OF her
manner, as she stood under the old
trees, a gold-tinted leaf drifting
down here and there around her, and
her tremulous hands clasped to hide
their f1utter as far as might be.
"Violet, darling! tell me that you
love me-"
II love you, Clarence!"
There is Garden of Eden created
anew for every happy pair of lovers
and Clarence and Violet stood in
Paradise now!
But, Clarence" resumed Violet,
when the first all-absorbed words and
glances of their new happiness had
been exchanged; 81 don't comprehend
this at all. How did you come here?
and how did you know where to find
me?"
II did not know where to find you,
Violet, Chance has been my friend
here; and as for my opportune ap-
pearance on. the scene, it is very cas-
lily accounted for l have been called
to take charge of the parish of Mill
hamburg"
Clarence, you are not the new min
ister?"
But l am the new minister"
His name is John Smith"
Il beg your pardon, my darling-it
is John Clarence Smith"
And Violet's surprise was sufficient
ly amusing to the reverend gentlemen
at her side.
Old Mrs. Bezabel Marsh and her
two elderly hard-favored daughters,
had made the parsonage all ready, ev-
en- to lighting the evening lamps on
the study table, and poking the clear
anthracite fire that burned in the din
ing-room CRATE.
Mehetable had turned the tumbler
of crimson currant jelly into its cut
glass dish, and disposed the green
sprigs of parsley to the most striking
effect round the thinly-cut slices OF
boiled tongue, while Mrs. Sarah made
a Leaning Tower or Pisa of the but
termilk biscuits, and whisked the
flies away from the sugar basin, in
readiness for the expected guest, and
like the hero of song, "still he came
mott"
"The kittles boilin', and the teas
all STEPPED" said Mrs. Marsh, as she
sat in the big rocking chair in front
of the fire. It'll be spilled if he don't
come pretty soon.'
Hell be here presently now,' said
Miss Mehetable, loosening her curls
from their combining papers. "Oh, ma!
l wonder if he'll be pleased with what
we've done!"
"He can't help it." said Mrs Marsh
mentally congratulating herself or
her double chances of being the min
ister's mother-in-law. But the word:
were not yet on her lips, and the tri
umphant reflections yet in her mind
when a knock came softly at the door
and Miriam entered, rosy with he
long walk through the frosty autumn
twilight.
Have you heard the news?" asked
Miriam. 81 thought I'd come over ant
tell you. The new minister ha
come"
"sakes alive!" calculated Mrs
Marsh.
81 don't believe it," said Miss Me
hetable.
ooh, but he has. for I've seen him
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