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


good taste in that direction"
Her Parthlan shot was successful.
"Of course she would be pretty" the
girl returned. quietly. IF you will
excuse me, Mary, will run up and ask
mother If l had better go out with
you this evening. AS matter of fact,
she hasn't been quite so well the past
few days, and l think 1 had better
stay with her."
ooh! do manage to come with me
tonight; George can't. and have no
one to go with. l have been out with
you so often, l think you might come
with me, just FOR once, when l am
badly in need OF youi company"
Alison ran upstairs, and was down
ere her sister-in-law had expected her.
Mrs. Lestrange was looking at photo
graph of Bertram Leigh which she
had picked up from table.
Alison went swiftly across the room,
and taking the picture from her, tore
it into little bits and dropped them into
the fire.
81 think that ought to be done now"
she said in hard voice; Ibis fiancee
might not like to see that if he brings
her to call on US at any time"
Mrs. Lestrange looked particularly
iubilant when she heard that her sis
ter-in-Iaw would accompany her to, the
receptions; and yet, Ct the face Of It.
it was a very small matter for rejoic-
ing.
Alison, left to herself, mentally re-
viewed the last three years of her life.
There had not been much connected
with it in which Bertram Leigh mad
not had a share; and now-his tiancee
would take her place-that was all.
All? Alison put her dainty feet upon
the fender and bent toward the fire,
resting her chin in her hands. What
would life be without Bertram? And
yet-she had deliberately chosen to
exclude him. Why should she blame
him because he sought another's side?
He had told her that as soon as she
cot tired OF her own company she could
remember him. But what was the use
| of remembering n man who was al
ready engaged to another girl! Yes,
she had come to her senses at last-but
it was too late All the daughters of
Eve come to their senses at last, -he
| supposed-but some were in time, and
some were too late. She belonged to
the latter category, and now the only
life left for her was that of an old
maid! She loved him-loved another
Womans fance. What should she do?
Her mother was too i'll to be taken
abroad, and she could not leave her
alone No, she must stay and fight it
out. But, why, oh! why had she found
it out at all? Why could not fate have
left her to dream on in blissful uncon-
! seriousness of what made the glory OF
her life-the crown of her womanhood?
Why did the little god Cupid NEEDLE
with weak humanity and upset all
their calculations?
The door opened; the old butler had
knocked, but his young mistress bad
been so absorbed in her own thoughts
that she had not heard him-and "Mr.
Leigh" was announced.
Out of the depths of her armchair
rose the girl, calling to her aid all the
courage of her ancestors The quick
flush died down from her pretty cheeks
She extended her hand in welcome.
"You have come to tell me-your-
news" she said at length, as he did
not speak.
He raised his eyes to hers. Somehow
| nf hn hn1 mi
them made them look different this
morning.
81 don't know that I did," he an
swered, coolly; "but I'll take your con
gratulations, since you offer them
The old spirit of defiance broke out
once more.
81 didn't offer them" she answered
sinking once more into the shadow OF
her big armchair, so that he could mo-
read her quivering face. "Rut they
are yours-yours and hers"
"Thank YOU" he returned, quietly
"She will be glad to have them. 1 an
sure. You are such an old friend o.
, mine"
"Such a Methuselah," put in the girl
slowly.
"Such a Methuselah," he assented
[ with smile, 'that l shall bring he
to see you upon the first opportun
; ity--"
{ mo, nov' the girl answered hur
) riedly. Then she pulled herself to
t gether. "Of course, l want to see her,
, she added, lamely.
"Of course you do, having Away
shown such an interest in me-" he re
, turned, cheerfully. "By the way, yo
ought to go and see her. Suppose