The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-08-05

NIX XX 10 pay uer All inc lHOuSiAu
&A{SSS2kaSaS and one little attentions
which a man pays the
woman whom he thinks a merciful and
enlightened Providence has sent into
the world to become his wife-and
the wife of no other man!
She refused him angrily the first time
he proposed. Her anger amused him,
but did not count for much in his eyes.
When next he repeated the question
it was at big Christmas ball given
at the house of mutual friend, and he
had found a piece of mistletoe which
answered his requirements-she took
him lightly, in semi-comic vein;
mentioned something about feline
laughter and fiddlesticks-as if the two
had anything to do with each other,
And he went away the second time
with new light in his eyes and a
smile on his lips.
She said to herself that he bored her;
she yaWned when he left-he was al
ways telling her the same old story
that he loved her-and he looked so
confident all the time so sure of sue
cess. He had even ventured to remark
that when she got tired of her own
company she might remember that
there were other lives open to her than
that Of an old maid!
''For what do you take me. Ber-
tram?" she asked. just before he
sought another partner. II know my
own mind, thank Heaven, which Pm
sure you men don't sometimes. Half
of you are signing for what the other
half have got-and no one is satisfied.
It's the old, old story-let's have some
thing neww
And he meant that she should!
She had danced her feet off that
night afterwards, but not with him.
She had more than one proposal too,
for Alison LeStrange was beautiful,
with a fascination which attracts the
other sex as a candle does moth. Her
eyes were large and velvety; her skin
was clear, and the tint Of an early sum-
mer rose. Her hair was naturally
wavy and formed fitting frame for
her lovely face. 1t was no wonder
that Bertram Leigh worshiped her,
and would not be content to take
"No." For such a face and figure men
: have sold even honor! But he had not
done that yet.
Alison herself was a STANCE mixture
of sensations. She liked Leigh, whom
she had known from childhood. more
than any other man she had met He
did not often fall into the mistake of
paying her compliments, as other men
did; he merely surrounded her with his
friendship, proposed to her at intervals,
and refused to believe she meant no.
She was only twenty, after ALL and
perhaps the accusation she had applied
to his sex might apply equally to her
she did not know her own mind either
Mrs. Lestrange was an invalid, and
rarely went out anywhere, so it came
to pass that Alison was dependent
upon the kind offices of her brothers
wife, goodnatured little woman, who
loved the girl, but thought her odd.
why don't you accept him, Alison?'
she asked her sister-in-law, as they
sat over their bedroom fire when they
returned from the ball. I'm sure
you'll never get anyone else to be as
fond of you as Bertram Leigh is. ant
you're getting on, now, you knoww
Alison laughed merrily. as twenty
old?' she asked. well, never mind
Mary, you've done your duty by MT
nobly, l know, and l dare say tht
Prince Charming will turn up ant
relieve you ere the season comes to al
end"
''He has turned up, and that's what
complain Of" put in the little woNan
with a sigh. "Only you're so blind
Il can't see him from your point O
view, remember" answered Alison, a
she rose. II don't know why, blu
BERTHE bores me. He must marry som
one else, that's ALL"
II don't think you would like that
either" put in Mrs. Lestrange with
sigh, which closed the discussion
Hammering ones head against a ston
wall is not a cheerful occupation. S
she retired from the contest with
kiss and rather reproachful good
night"
Not many weeks afterward Also
heard something which startled hel
Bertram Leigh was engaged to be maj
ried, and the wedding was to com
off shortly.
Mrs. Lestrange brought her the new!
with an invitation to bis receptio
and dance given in honor of som
Indian princess.
MlNhn iS tho 1ri1.l y, sho nSl-nd MI