Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-08-26
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 26 1904
!; He, She
} And Charles
! Augustus By :. 3.
uMnR~
Copyright, 1901, by
T. c. Mcclure

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Charles Augustus had had a most
unpleasant day. 1t had commenced
well enough, but had clouded over soon
after he had started on his lessons
about the dog and the rat and the ac-
tive cat. Then Higgins had brought
Miss Purvis letter, and with It some
thing had entered into Charles Angus
tus' life that he could by no means I'M
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 Purvis' face go all pink and beau
tiful, and then pale and her eyes Ill
with tears. Then she put the letter
away In the bosom of her gown, and
Charles Augustus thought that was
often as he looked up from his book or
slate he saw Miss Purvls reading the
letter, and each time he saw tears in
her eyes.
What could II be In those scrawly
black marks to make people cry2 He
cried when he was spanked or shut up
In 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 Purvls, through the window,
writing 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 off to the village
and would not let Charles Augustus
60 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, cudded down into the big chair
with Miss puryls, toasted his pink
toes before the fire preparatory to go
ing bedward, he came once more across
this peculiar thing which he could moi
understand, for Miss Puryis was
strangely silent, only answering list
less yes or no to his observations on
life and the curious ways Of people
and the idiosyrfrasies of the goat. She
did not take much interest even when
he touched upon the many things lac
would give her when he became II
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. lie felt as
though something invisible were be
tween them.
He put up hand and turned her
face toward him.
you do love me, don't your he
said "And you will wait for me until
am bigT
She kissed him and told him "Yes."
She would always be his sweetheart.
But I'm afraid, dear, I'll have to go
away. win you mindT
Charles Augustus minded very much
and said 10, and the thought kept him
awake long after he had got Into his
bed Through the door he could see
Miss Purvis and the fire. Then he saw
her OF 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, II must not bev' Charles Au-
gustus heard her say. "rhey would
think 1t was for his money. It IL bet
ter ~ II IL better for him. | must
leave here AZ soon as | can, and, oh, |
don't want to"
Then Miss Purvis took the letter
kissed II and put II In box on her
dressing table, box with curious pat
terms In mother Of pearl on II, and
with 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
II must be taken away that was all
about II.
The room was quiet; the fire died to
little glow Of wlnking embers; Miss
Puryis was asleep. Charles Augustus
got up aud got the letter. Then he hid
II under the mattress and went 10
sleep with lighter heart. Now Miss
Purvls would be happy again. and she
would not 90 away
But the next day Miss Puryls 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. II was not the mere possession
OF the letter then. What was III
"He must not come" II must leave
here" Charles Augustus remembered
those words. Some one was coming
then: some one who would carry Miss
Puryis, the beloved, away. Charles
Augustus thought Of giants and gypsles
and grew horribly alive to tho exigen-
cies OF the occasion. His father aud
mother were away, 80 he could not 40
10 them for advice.
There was only one man In Charles
Augustus confidence, and ha was very
big and strong and knew everything.
Next 10 the goat, who was manlfestly
inadequate under the circumstances
Charles Augustus adorsd this man.
He lived in a house by himself. a long
long way or beyond the most distant
trees.
Charles Augustus saw the man thai
afternoon. He had come to call, bui
Miss Puryls had excused herself. sh,
had a headache, she said. Now, th,
man, whose name was Mr. Houghton
was going down the drive with great
strides, and 10 intent on his own
thoughts that lac did not hear Charles
Augustus call 10 him. II took him q
long time 10 catch up with the man
Indeed II did not happen until the lat
tor had turned on into tbe woods and
/ II. A - a