The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-06-17


| TO explain her errand,
"A remarkably fine day" cried Mr..
Roper, with a cough.
'Mrs.-Mrs. Boldero saw you pass
our window" Lucy faltered.
Il have not the-er--pleasure of Mrs.
Boldero's acquaintance, believe"
STILL" said Lucy, becoming more
nervous every instant, "she knows you
well by sight"
Mr.. Roper Strengthened his back; he
had been somewhat of a buck in his
day-major in line regiment, retired
on half-pay some years ago. His only
son had come to a melancholy end,
and, having left numerous debts Of
honor undischarged, Major Roper had
felt it incumbent to take them on him
self. In order to raise Immediately
the necessary sum of money, he had
sequestered bulk of his pension, re-
tanning, in fact, sufficient only to sup
port the barest existence. He then re-
tired to this sedate country town, drop
ping the Major" rather than bring, as
he conceived, discredit on his pro-
fession. Another year and the debt
would be wiped out; then, Major Ro
per told himself, he would again be
able to hold up his head.
Mrs. Boldero presents her compli-
ments," said Lucy, drawing on her in
vention, land she-she has sent you
tn this"
"And what is this?" he demanded,
fixing his single eyeglass and leaning
forward to peer into the uncovered
basket.
"A rumpsteak pudding"
He stood glaringly at Lucy's rosy
face while he feRociously twirled his
mustache. re-
Il am Major Roper!" he said.
Mrs. Boldero thought"
She evidently though she could in
suit me with impunity."
Il am very sorry" faltered Lucy.
His annoyance was the greater, II
possible, on observing that the pudding
was not even whole, yet, anonymously
enough, the sight of 1t tickled his pal
ate. Formerly man of extravagant
habits, economy had never become
easy to him, and, although he made
practice of counting out his money into
small sums, and wrapping these in sep
arate scraps OF paper SO that he might,
at the worst, retain sufficient for rent
and food until his next pension became
due, he would extract sixpence from
one pocket, a shilling from another,
thus leaving the last weeks barely pro-
vlded for, In a manner he was still
gourmand. Every Saturday. after pay
Ing his small rent, he would purchase
siXpennyworth of jam tarts. patroni2-
ing a shop where seven were sold for
sixpence and thus insuring one for each
day in the week. Today his meal had
begun and ended with tart, whereas
Mrs. Boldero employed an excellent
cook. SILL, Major Roper found his ap-
petite easier to control than his pride
which had never been more aggressive
than now, when he looked forward
shortly to leave Burrowfeld and to live
again within reach of London club.
You will kindly present my compli-
ments to Mrs.--er-" II
"Boldero," faltered Lucy
ITO Mrs. Boldero, and tell her that
am very much-very much Obliged"
She will be rather hurt" said Lucy.
"And l." said Major Roper, ''am rath-
er hurt"
II do wish you would let me leave
it," cried Lucy, holding out her arm
,uit ha no IN 10Pt o1o
to his face.
Il have told you that am Major Ro-
perl" he answered, stepping backward.
Mrs. Boldero will be immensely an
cry" murmured Lucy, gazing from the
basket into his face.
"Angry-with you, do you mean?"
81 am afraid she will" said Lucy
with deprecatory smile.
Major Roper began to cough
You will kindly present my complf-
ments to Mrs.-er-Boldero and say
that l am greatly obliged, and accept
her-her gift in the spirit in which, no
doubt, it is offered"
ooh, thank you!" exclaimed Lucy,
and, with an air of extreme relief, she |
saw Major Roper take the basket
You will wait moment for the
for the basin?" he suggested, as she |
would have tnrned away.
81 can come tomorrow"
There is no necessity to give you
the trouble" he insisted, eff you will !
pardon my closing the door" He did |
not wish her to follow his movements,
so, leaving Lucy standing on the top
step and the street door ajar, the Ma