The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-10-21
A CASE
OF
KIDNAPPING.

V%~~%A-~
Dora pushed back her sunbonnet,
and looked up, with furtive admira-
tion, at the stalwart figure giving the
finishing touches to the huge load of
hay.
ETHEL had to help about dinner and
couldn't get away, but she made me
come. She said it was too bad for you
to have no company for the last lead. ;"
II am sorry you were compelled to
come" he replied, little stifily.
ooh, wanted to; l wouldn't have
missed it for anything. l was never
on load of hay. But mercy, how
shall | ever get up there?'
He glowed at her warmth, but with
a brief 'Tll help you up" he slid to
the ground, placed a short ladder
against the load, preceded her, and
reached for her hands.
With little shrieks of alarm, and dec
larations that she never could do 1t,
Dora at last gained the top of the
ladder and put her hands in his His
heart leaped fiercely, and he paled
little under his tan, but made no sign
of the tumult her touch aroused within
him.
But she was as we'll aware CT it as
he, and with malicious intent, chung
to him in affected fright, noting, with
pleasure, his suppressed agitation. 1t
was short ride from the field to the
hay barn; besides, he had the horses
to attend to, so there would be no
chance for him to go beyond the limit
she had set for him. and ask the
question she had been fencing for
weeks She was not sure that she was
ready to be bound; but she was GER
tain that she did not want to give him
a negative answer she wished to post
pone it; besides, there were Others"
and she being born coquette, was en-
joying herself and did not want def
mite change
With much skill she had played him
and evaded his efforts to obtain an OPP
portunity to bring matters to a crisis
She meant him no harm; she reasoned
that a little suspense would perhaps
do him good, and she loved the excite
ment of the game and reveled in the
narrow escapes she contrived to ex-
perience.
This is the last of the hay, now
there is nothing to prevent you join
ing our tennis party this afternoon"
she said, cuddling down in the hay at
his feet, while he stood easily and
firmly, guiding the team through the
gate into the road.
''If you will be my partner" he re-
piled, sitting down beside her, letting
the horses, nov they were through,
go their own ga,
"But I've promised Harry Payne;
and Jessie Carpenter plays much bet
ter than I-besides, she is always try
ing to get YOU" she insinuated, de-
murely.
Hang Harry Payne, and Jessie, toe,
for that matter! See here, Dora"
"Oh there's Ethel on the porch yav-
ing to u.s." she interrupted hurriedly.
Harvest home! Harvest home." she
shrieked as they passed the house,
scrambling to her feet, with one hand
on his shoulder. The wagon lurched,
and she dropped down again, flushed
and laughing, and began scattering hay
over him. He did not respond, but sat
with averted face.
'Crosspatch," she said, lightly. HE
wants his dinner, so he doesl Well, it
will not be long now. Dinner is to be
unusually early on account OF our
party; the men are going to the
house"
He was still silent, and she pouted.
Suddenly she shrieked again: why,
Nat Drummer! you've passed the gate
Its away back there! Didn't you see
it?"
81 didn't want to see it," he said,
shortly.
.eWhat do you mean?" she cried.
81 mean that you're not going to get
awav from me this time till I've had