Evening journal., 1904-07-27
He, She
And Charles
Augustus 3, =. B.
By +. B.
WRIGHT
Copyright. 1901, bu
A. c. Mcclure
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

unpleasant day. II 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 Purvls letter, and with it some
thing had entered into Charles Angus
tus' life that he could by no means un-
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
tlful, and then pale and her eyes iill
with tears. Then she put the letter
away in the bosom Of her gown, and
Charles Augustus thought that was
the end Of It. But it 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 in those scrawly
black marks TO make people cry? He
cried when he was spanked or shut up
in a closet or had to do something he
did not want to-but this wasn't like
that. Charles Augustus could not un-
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 in this writing business which
was decidedly unpleasant Charles Au-
gustus decided then and there that he
would never write. Then when she
had finished she went off 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 bedward. he 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 70 his observations on
/ life and the curious ways Of people
and the idiosyncrasies OF the goat. She
/ did not take much interest even when
he touched upon the many things he
would give her when he became a
man and they were married-the rings
like mammals and an express wagon
and a jar Of ginger. Though her arm
drew him close when he told her how
much he loved her. yet Charles Angus
tus was not satisfied. He felt al
though something invisible were be
tween them.
He put up a hand and turned he
face toward him.
'You do love me, don't you" h
said. "And you will wait for me unit
I am bigT
She kissed him and told him Eyes.
She would always be his sweetheart
but I'm afraid, dear. I'll have TO e
away. VIII you mindY
Charles Augustus minded very much
and said So and the thought kept hin
awake long after he had got into bis
bed Through the door he could see
Miss Purvis and the fire. Then he saw
her Of a sudden bend forward. hei
face in her arms. and hear her sob.
Though lie wanted 10 comfort her
something told Charles Augustus tina
Miss Purvis vented TO be let alone
At last she raised her tear stained face
NO. IL must not bev' Charles Au
/, gustus heard her say. "They woulC
think IL was for his money. 1t is bet
ter as It is-better for him. / mus
leave here as soon as can, and, oh.
don't want tor
Then Miss Purvis took the letter
kissed Il and put It in a box on hei
dressing table, a box with curious pat
terms in mother Of pearl on It, anC
with queer lock that only she anC
Charles Augustus knew how to open.
Charles Augustus mind started {,
work this thing out This letter wal
the cause Of Miss Purvis feeling bad
II must be taken away-that was al
about It,
The room was quiet; the fire died I,
a little glow Of winking embers; Miss
b Purvis was asleep. Charles Augustus
! got up and got the letter. Then he hid
Il under the mattress and went tC
sleep with a lighter heart. Now Miss
Purvis would be happy again, and she
would not 60 away.
But the next day Miss Purvis wa:
not happy. True, she did not cry, moi
did she read the letter which Charlie.
Augustus had crafily tucked inside
his blouse, but yet she was not tn,
Miss Purvis Of aforetime, who laughed
and sang and romped on the lawn witt
! him. 1t was not the mere possession
OF the letter then. What was IL?
"He must not come" II must leav,
; here" Charles Augustus remembered
: those words. Some one was coming
then: some one who would carry Mss
p Purvis, Il Ebeloved, away. Charles
Augustus thought OF giants and gypsie'
and grew horribly alive TO the exigen
cies Of the occasion. His father anC
mother were away, so he could not g
20 them for advice.
There was only one man In Charles
Augustus confidence, and he was yer!
big and strong and knew everything
Next TO the goat, who was manifest!
inadequate under toe circumstances
P Charles Augustus adOred this man