The Somerset reporter., 1904-06-30
He, She
And Charles
Augustus By B.
By F. B.
WRIGHT
Copyright, 1901, by
~ NJ
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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 a letter. and with 1t 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 IurviS when he
grew up and had even talked over the
details with the young lady herself.
The letter. when she read it, made
Miss Purvis face 90 all pink and beau
tiful. and then pale and her eyes fill
with tears Then She put the letter
away III the bosom of her gown, and
Charles Augustus thought that WAS
the end of it. But it was not. for us
often as he looked up from his book or
slate he saw Miss purvis reading the
letter, and each time lie saw tears in
her eyes.
What could it be in those sCrawly
black marks to make people cry lie
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 tie 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 lie
would never write Then when she
had finished she went off 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 tie big CHAIR
with Miss Purvis. toasted his pink
toes before the fire preparatory 10 20
ing bedWard. lie came once more across
this peculiar thing which he could not
understand. for Miss purviS was
strangely silent, only answering list
less yes or no to his observations on
life and the curious WAYS of people
and the idios4 nerasics of the goat She
did not take much interest even when
lie Touched upon the many things he
WolEd give her when he became Il
nun and they We're marriel-the rings
like mammals and an express wagon
and 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 We're be.
tween them.
lie put up II hand aud turned her
face toward him
You do love me, don't youY' he
said. And you will wait for me until
| am big"
She kissed him and told him Yes
She would always be his sweetheart
"But I'm afraid. dear. I'll have to 60
away. VIII you mindf"
Charles Augustus minded very much
and said SO, and the thought kept linn
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 he let alone
At last she raised her tear stained face
NO, it must not be- 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 to-
Then Miss Purvis took the letter
kissed it and put it in IA box on her
dressing table, box with curious pat
terms in mother of pearl Oh it, and
with queer lock that only she and
Charles Augustus knew how to open.
Charles Augustus mind started to