The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-08-12
THE WAYWARDNESS OF LOVE.


could walk like her | noticed that
as lit cigar
Then began to think of Peter Mac
nulty. A little man, inclined to stout
ness, with merry laugh and bright
eyes; a good companion and a thor
ough sportsman We had faced tigor
together and Macnulty found his
shoulder just in time to prevent I'M
pleasant consequences for me.
But Macnulty shooting tigers was
just quiet, plucky little Englishman,
with a certain dry humor and forget
fitness of self that made him a capital
companion. There are Git is matter
for congratulations thousands like him
in this little island Of ours. But Mac
nulty at the picnic. Then you forgot
the plump little body, and the shock of
red hair. And when he had done with
you-when he had made you laugh and
cry, and love and hate, and stirred and
tickled your very soul with his music
then he was your master and you
could never think of him in quite the
same way again.
That he was the very best man to
suit the purpose of the duchess, had
no doubt. / decided that Then l fell
asleep felt | needed rest.
But it is the difficulty that is unfore-
seen that spoils the best laid plan;
the runner that leaps the highest hedge
trips over the hidden root. Next day
came a bolt from the blue.
Macnulty refused the, invitation of
the duchess. He was in town, and
gave no reason. But there was no
trace of indecision in his reply. He
would not come.
why not? What's the matter with
the MANI" said the duchess to me,
when she announced the news. Hes
been here before"
THAT could not be. l suppose"
81 fed him well. What more does a
man want?"
There was certainly truth in that.
"You must get him for me- 1t was
your plan"
81 shall have to go to town."
sighed
There's a train at tomorrow
morning. You shall be called at g."
] murmured my thanks.
BE back to dinner-but you shan't
have any unless you bring him with
you"
''The gallant knight will ride forth
on the quest" I exclaimed "He will
capture the recreant Or"
"He won't get any dinner" added
the duchess, who has no soul for the
romantic.
''You may rely on me-" said l.
''You were always fond of your
meals" she murmured
Next morning, to my indignation,
(the gallant knight being sleepy,
was awakened at an early hour, and
my hostess herself saw me driving off
to the station to catch the train she
had selected.
When arrived in London l went di-
rectly to Macnulty's chambers, and was
sufficiently fortunate to find him at
home. He greeted me warmly.
Il thought you were rusticating-
picking daisies and drinking milk, you
know" he said.
Il have been. Not milk, though"
answered. "I've been with the South
boroughs."
0I nod an Invitation -
"We'll go back together this even
ing"
but refused it. | think of run
ming over to Paris the end of the
week."
From the frying pan to the fire.
London's hot enough, but Paris-be-
sides, the duchess wants you at Ec-
cleston."
Its very f1atteringi"
You're charming young man when
you're nicely dressed She is very fond
of you"
Macnulty pondered.
Isis Lady Marion there?" he in
CURED presently.
thought a moment. There was a
meaning in that question that might
explain his mysterious refusal 1t had
not occurred to me before.
whats that got to do"
ooh, nothing-nothing! said Mac
nulty, jumping up from his seat.
Come out and lunch with me-"
With my dinner trembling in She
balance, thought the suggestion excel
lent
There is no doubt that good meal
undermines a mans moral character
He feels comfortable and peaceful. He
wants to know why he shouldn't do the
thing he ought not, and finds he has