The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1904-08-31
He, She
And Charles
Augustus .,rs.
WRIGHT
COPYRIGHT, 1905, BY
I. C. Mctlure


tive cat. Then Higgins had brought
Miss Purvis letter, and with it some
thing had entered into, Charles Angus
tins 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 1t, made
Miss Puryis' face go all pink and beau
tifuI, 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 1t 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 1t be in those scrawly
black marks to make people cry2 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 I'M
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 a 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 OF 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 go
ing bedward, he came once more across
this peculiar thing which he could not
understand, for Miss Purvis was
strangely silent, only answering a 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 a 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 We're be
tween them
face toward him.
You do love me, don't you?" he
said. And you will wait for me until
am bigf" .--. ~-.
She kissed him and told him YES"
She would always be his sweetheart
But I'm afraid, dear, I'll have to go
away. Will you mind?'
Charles Augustus minded very much
and said so. and the thought kept him
bed. Through the door he could see
Miss Purvis and the fire. Then he saw
her of a sudden bend forward, her
face in her arms, and hear her Sob
Though he wanted to comfort her,
something told Charles Augustus that
Miss Purvis wanted to be let alone
At last she raised her tear stained face.
mo, 1t must not bey' Charles Au-
gustus heard her say. They would
think it was for his money. 1t is bet
ter as it is-better for him. / must
leave here as soon as / can, and, oh,
don't want TOP
Then Miss Purvis took the letter,
kissed 1t and put 1t In a box on her
dressing table, box with curious pat
terms in mother of pearl on it, and
with a queer lock that only she and
Charles Augustus knew how to open.
Charles Augustus mind started to
work this thing out. This letter was
the cause of Miss Purvis' feeling bad
1t must be taken away-that was all
about 1t.
The room was quiet; the fire died to
a little glow Of winking embers; Miss
Purvis was asleep. Charles Augustus
got up and got the letter Then he hid
1t under the mattress and went to
sleep with a lighter heart. Now Miss
Purvis would be happy again. and she
would not go away. ss.t
But the next day Miss Purvis was
not happy. True, she did not cry, nor
did she read the letter which Charles
Augustus had craftily tucked inside
his blouse, but yet she was not the
Miss Purvis of aforetime, who laughed
and sang and rOmped on the lawn with
him. 1t was not the mere possession
of the letter then. What was 1t?
HE must not come" II must leave
here" Charles Augustus remembered
those words. Some one was coming
then; some one who would carry Miss
Purvis, the beloved. away Charles
Augustus thought of giants and gypsies
and grew horribly alive to the exigen-
cies of the occasion. His father and
mother We're away, so he could not go
to them for advice.
There was only one man in Charles
Augustus confidence. and he was very
big and strong and knew everything
Next to the goat, who was manifestly
inadequate under the circumstances,
Charles Augustus adOred this man.
He lived in q house hu hipsolf lo,.e
long way OF beyond the most distant
trees.
Charles Augustus saw the man that
afternoon. He had come to call, but
Miss Purvis had excused herself. She
had a headache. she said. Now, the
man, whose name was Mr.. Houghton,
was going down the drive with great
strides, and so intent on his own
thoughts that he did not hear Charles
Augustus call to him. 1t took him
long time to catch up with the man.
Indeed 1t did not happen until the lat
ter had turned off into the woods and
Charles Augustus hat had been lost
on the road and his legs much scratch
ed with briers. Then Charles Angus
tus told his story-about the letter and
how she had kissed 1t and yet cried