Casco Bay breeze. [volume] (South Harpswell, Me.) 1901-1917, 1904-09-08
He, She
And Charles
Augustus ~,
D. z. d.
WRIGHT


II
T.C. Mcclure o
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Charles Augustus had had a most
unpleasant day. 1t had commenced
well enough. but had clouded over soon
after he had started on his lessons
about the dog and the rat and the ac-
tive cat. Then Higgins had brought
Miss Purvis letter. and with II some
thing had entered into Charles Angus
tus' life that he could by no means IN
derstand.
You see. Charles Augustus loved his
governess greatly. She came next to
his father and mother and way above
the goat. Charles Augustus had quite
decided to marry Miss Purvis when he
grew up and had even talked over the
details with the young lady herself
The letter. when she read IL, made
Miss Purvis' face go all pink and beau
tiful. aud then pale and her eyes All
with tears. Then she put the letter
away In the bosom OF her gown. and
Charles Augustus thought that was
the end Of II. But II was not. for as
often as he looked up from his book or
slate he saw Miss Purvis reading the
letter. and each time he saw tears In
! her eyes.
What could II be I'm those scrawly
black marks to make people cry? He
cried when he was spanked or shut up
In closet or had TO do something he
did not want to-but this wasn't like
that. Charles Augustus could not IN
derstand this silent crying. When he
cried he wanted to let the whole world
know-and usually succeeded.
Later. when lessons were over, he
saw Miss Purvis. through the window.
writing a letter. and she was crying
over that. Plainly there was some
thing I'm this writing business which,
was decidedly unpleasant. Charles Au-
gustus decided then and there that he
would never write. Then when she
had finished size went or to the village
and would not let Charles Augustus
go with her.
In that half hour Of easy time which
came when Charles Augustus had
shifted from his day things into the
ample lengths OF his flannel pyjamas
and, cuddled down into the big chair
; with Miss Purvis. toasted his pink
toes before the fire preparatory TO go
ing besiward. lie came once more across
this peculiar thing which he could not
understand, for Miss Purvis was
strangely silent. only answering a list
less YES or no TO his observations on
life and the curious ways OF people
and the idiOsyncrasies OF the goat. She
did not take much interest even when
lie touched upon the many things he
would give her when lie became a
man and they were married-the rings
like mnmma's md an-exr~ess- -svufeD-
and jar OF ginger. Though her arm
drew him close when lie told her how
much lie loved her. yet Charles Angus
tus was not satisfied. He felt as
though something Invisible were be-
tween them.
face toward him.
You 90 love me. don't you:" he
said. And you will wait for me until
I am big!"
She kissed him and told him YES"
Size would always he his sweetheart.
But I'm afraid. dear. I'll have to 60
away. Will you mind?'
Charles Augustus minded very mech
and said so. and the thought kept him
awake long after he had got into his
bed. Through the door he could see
Miss Purvis and the fire. Then he saw
her Of sudden bend forward. her
face In her arms. and hear her sob.
Though he wanted to comfort her.
something told Charles Augustus that
Miss Purvis wanted to be let alone.
AT last she raised her tear stained face.
NO. IL must not be- Charles Au.
gtistus heard her say. They would
think IL was for his money. IL Is bet.
ter as IL is-better for him. I must
leave here as soon as I can. and. oh. !
don't want to-
Then Miss Purvis took the letter.
kissed 1t and put II I'm a box on her
dressing table. n box with curious pat.
terms i'm mother Of pearl on II. and
with queer lock that only she and
Charles Augustus knew how to open.
Charles Augustus mind started to
work this thing out. This letter was
the cause Of Miss Purvis' feeling bad
IL must be taken away-that was al.
about IL.
The room was quiet: the fire died to
little glow Of winking embers: Miss
Purvis was asleep. Charles Augustus
got up and got the letter. Then he hid
IL under the mattress and went to
sleep with lighter heart. Now Miss
Purvis would he happy again. and she
would not go away.
But the next day Miss Purvis was
not happy. True. she did not cry. nor
did she rad the letter which Charles
Augustus had craftily tucked inside
his blouse. but yet she was not the
Miss Purvis OF aforetime. who laughed
and sang and romped on the lawn with
him. IL WAS not the mere possession
OF the letter then. What was IL?
"He must not come" II must leave
here" Charles Augustus remembered
those words. Some one was coming
then: some one who would carry Miss
Purvis, the beloved. away. Charles