The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-10-07

SlOIUlY WluJ6I = niEllJ4 AnSlC ndQ CNl-
IDENTIFY been some misunderstanding.
However, believed / could with suffi-
cient ease walk the mile or two--it was
a straight road to Eden Hall, | had
been told, and was just striding forth
into the darkness when Aunt Prickett's
shrill voice hailed me, and l saw her
rosy old face thrust out between the
curtains of substantial family ve-
hicle, driven by a gray-headed old ne
gro and drawn by pair of fat, white
horses.
young man, thought your friends
were goin' to meet your"
so l supposed, but as they are not
here, I am going TO walk to Eden
Hall"
ITO Eden HALL" chimed softer
voice. Impossible on such a night as
this! Why, it is full two miles from
here"
Jump in" cried Mrs. Prickett.
There's lots O. room at our house, and
you can go on tomorrow mornin'.
But" / hesitated, II am stranger,
and"
"Aunt Prickett does not regard you
as SUCH" said Helen; "and we really
cannot allow you to risk your life thus.
My coachman shall drive you to Eden
Hall tomorrow, if you will consent to
become our guest for the night
l dotted my cap and acknowledged
this ready and gracious hospitality
not at all averse to entering the snug
carriage, which speedily deposited us
at the door of a handsome, spacious
country house.
The gray-haired ccachman's counter.
part, turbaned mulatto woman, con-
Quoted me to a cosy chamber, where a
bright fire blazed, and pair of wax
candles lent additional light to the
apartment.
Superb be ready in Is minutes,
SIR" she said, after calling my atten-
ton to the ever of hot water, and the
well-aired towels, and disappeared.
In considerable less than Is minutes
I had descended into the wide, square
hall, where a wildly colored Turkey
carpet covered the floor, and an open
CRATE fire blazed cheerily on the hearth.
Mrs Prickett hurriedly entered through
another door as | advanced toward the
mantel.
'I've had turn" she calculated,
breathlessly, holding both hands over
her heart, and then, for the first time,
discovered how very pale she was.
Good Heaven, Mrs. Prickett! what
is the matter?"
ITS the very man I saw in my
dream-the slim, tall man; l recog-
nized the face the instant | saw him,
and it was al / could do to prevent
Helen from suspecting. What shall
do?" and she wrung her hands spas
medically. Helen must never marry
that man, there will evil come of it if
she does, and the weddin' day is to-
morrow"
my dear madam, surely you would
never allow mere dream"
''Its more than mere dream" she
interrupted with intense eagerness;
"it's warnin', and we must give heed
to it. Hush! they're commit"
The next moment the door opened,
and Miss Powers entered leaning on
the arm of her affianced husband!
Aunt Prickett has not yet told me
the name of her friend" she began,
gayly; "but-"
Charles Buckingham" calculated,
staring into the face that was strangely
familiar to me.
Harry Kuyvett!" he echoed, and
then bit his lip, as if vexed at himself
I'VE are no strangers" | said, feel
ing myself grow deadly pale and flush
again; but calling all my self-posses-
sion to my aid; ION the contrary,
have known Mr.. Buckingham all my
life, and not only himself, but his de-
serted and neglected wife, now living
not mile away from my native
place."
He ground his teeth savagely.
at is lie," he cried, "a foul fabri-
cation!"
"It is the truth, and l am prepared
to prove it to this young lady whose
future you had so nearly blighted."
Aunt Prickett uttered a cry as she
sprang to where Helen had fallen,
white and senseless, on the sofa.
Its my dream! l saw her just so in
my dream!" she cried Historically.
Buckingham glared at me like wild
beast.
"You shall account for this tomor-
row!" he Kissed, and darted out of the
room before | could reply.
But none of us ever saw Charles
again. His plots for en-
sharing the wealthy heiress had been