The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-04-08

I happened. Every one here had known
that Bob Marsden had loved Jeanne,
and it was generally thought that she
had refused him. They should never
know her punishment for foolish mo-
ment; never know that he had for
saken her and that her heart was
breaking in it's intense longing for her
old playmate.
And Bob? Well, he had come back
because of the desire to see his mother,
and besides there had come such a
food of memories of Jeanne; her
bright and happy face; the fitting of
the color u her cheeks. He could not
remain away and had come backbone
back to find her enjoying herself, and
the curate still in attendance. He had
better not have come, and yet how glad
he was and how his heart beat to see
her sweet face again.
The evening proved a weary one for
both, and they were glad when 1t came
time to go home. The crowd of young
people parted from Jeanne at the door
of the rectory with noisy good
night" Bob did not touch her hand
or speak as he raised his hat and start
ed down Fifth Avenue, with the rest.
Jeanne sobbed herself to sleep in re-
morseful sorrow, and came down ia
the morning with pale cheeks and
heavy eyes,
Her father, quick to notice the tone
of her voice as she wished him good
morning" said gently
Are you we'll, dear?"
eyes, father, quite"
But the doctor, still doubtful, said
Perhaps you had better not 60 into
the church this morning."
ooh, yes, l must. You know l have
solo to sing for you. shall be all
right"
But she wondered, as she YEARLY
took her place in the choir, If she
would be able to sing with such an
aching head and heavy heart.
AS Jeanne stood up her eyes wan
dered from her music to the crowded
church below. Yes, there he was in his
old seat, and for just one second his
eyes looked straight into hers.
There was no doubt about her sing
ing now. Love, pride, something thrill
ed through the young girl. Il know
that my Redeemer liveth" came in
sweet burst of song from her lips. New
er once did she falter; never had she
sung so sweetly before. Even her faith
ID NIT ~
his face which settled itself in a rapt
expression of alteration of the Christ
as her voice rang out the words OF
peace and comfort.
After the service was over she was
slipping out of the vestry door to reach
the quiet of home, only few steps dis
tant, when she heard some one follow
ing her. Her heart gave quick jump,
but it was only Dannie.
miss Jeanne, be you goin' home?
Won't you write letter for me, Miss
Jeanne, please?"
1t was most trying to have this re-
quest come, just when she felt so ner-
vous and longed to be by herself. But
she could not see her way clear to re-
fusing the boy who could not read or
write himself.
"Well, come on, Dannie, and / will
write it." Upon entering the house she
went to her fathers study table. Sit
ting down she said, Now tell me what
| must write for you, Dannie."
''Well, you see, Miss Jeanne, 1t is this
way. Mr.. Marsden gave a
start-"has just come back. Last win
ter" continued Dannie, ''he gave me a
letter to mail. had an old jacket on
and the letter slipped down between
the lining and the outside. thought /
had lost it. He went away the next
day, SO I could not tell him. After
wards I accidentally found the letter,
but thought / had better keep it until |
| seen him again. But now | am afraid |
to tell him, Miss Jeanne, and l want |
you to write to Mr.. Marsden and ex-
plain it out I'd him. Mother says he |
won't mind then. Do you think he'll |
be awful mad, Miss Jeanne?" The boy |
looked anxiously in her face.