The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-02-19

, The bulk of the talents for which
people praised him were In the habit
OF emerging from the point of his pen
and the letter was worthy Of his repu-
tatlon without being at all above her
power of appreciation-even supposing
she was in all things as young as she
looked. 1t was simple, in fact, as her
speech, and as beautiful, after it's fash
ion, as her eyes; and, reading it over,
he knew he had never done anything
better. But he wasn't as mao as he
might have looked-if anyone could
nave seen him-and he only posted it
into his pocket. Having been written
to her, it was sacredly hers, and to
have it about him gave him feeling of
pleasure he acknowledged with a
laugh, and for once did not try to &C
count for in words.
After that he wrote her letter every
time he saw her, and, but that some
thing happened about the sixth time.
1t is matter to wonder at how far he
would have allowed his pockets to
bulge.
What occurred was of the most com
monplace description. In hunting for
something else, he dropped one of the
letters at her feet. She caught it I'D
with a little cry, "Why, it's addressed
to me" If he had not stopped her she
would have opened it there and then.
But he couldn't prevent her keeping
1t nor prevent himself seeing the laugh
in her eyes-a stray CLEAN that seemed
to cast new light on the pathways to-
heaven.
IF you like it," he said, there arg
more;" and he took out the pack, turn
ing it over.
But, if they're mine, would muoln
rather have them at once!" she cried.
If they're mine, you have not right
to keep them"
To tempt her into pleading for them,
into more laughter, into quite a tor.
rent of teasing and excited Speech, he
held out as long as he could. In the end.
she went off with her letters.
I'm convinced it's some rubbish"
she threw at him in parting; land Il
do want to see just how silly you are"
"Will you tell me how silly you think
me?" he asked
IF you're silly-enough," said she.
OF course, he expected an answer
it feverishly, filled with boy
lsh Impotence and unrest he had never
surpassed in his boyhood When it
came, it was like her, he told himself
and it was certainly put in few words,
If that was really like her. and his
doubts on that subject were brand
new ones. will you come and see
me?' she wrote, naming an hour. Of
course he went-praying the while that
he should find her alone.
And she was alone; so far, he quick
ly saw the realization of his wish. Yet
for the moment as he advanced towards
her up the long room, he hardly knew
recognized her unadorned,
beauty, the child of the dowdy frochs,,
in the perfectly dressed girl now wait
ing for him with laughter and bushes
chasing each other on her bewildering-
face. For the first time in his life, he
found nothing to say, and so she was
forced to begin. She seemed not un--
willing.
Your letters are charming" she
said. She put up hand to the imita-
ton pearls, side by side with some
that looked priceless, among the kaces
at her neck, and twisted them Mound
to show him they were unknotted.
Your letters are charming" she re-
peated, with the least little break in
her voice. Then she frightened and
smiled "And what do you think of my
frock?"
II think it is-charming, he said.
She came nearer to him.
"Wil you answer me something's
she asked.
Yes-yes-anything.
"Only this-which sort of frock do
you like me in best?"
This" he said, true 10 his creed.
This-I suppose. oh, my darling. we
are starting at the wrong end, but If
you keep the letters we shan't be able
to afford such frocks!"
81 wouldn't give up the letters for
anything" she declared.
Il so with the letters" he said.
Again the laugh in her eyes. "And
I'd. r"tser give the letters than YOU"