The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-03-17

sharply. But I've nothing 10 rejoice
it. remember that No hope, no
strength; only this remnant of body
that can draw breath, thanks to the
surgeons. It's an old body; 1t
couldn't be older in spite of their
DEVILS work on it. But my soul is
young, and-can't you see?-there
must be war between them as long as
live, or till my soul shrivels to
match its she'll"
Knights young grey eyes sought
Miss Swans in appeal, but the rest
o. his determined face challenged her.
She met both appeal and challenge
squarely.
Yes, my boy" she said, pityingly,
your soul is young. That's why
have hopes of YOU" she concluded,
abruptly and quantity.
There was a brief silence between
them, then knight said, Il know that
isn't simply talk, and l thank you.
But it doesn't reach anything in me-"
Give it a chance to sink in" Miss
Swan pleaded, gently.
when | go away from here"
knight said, as if he had not heard
her, Il shall find covert somewhere,
far away from human life"
Miss Swan broke in sharply: "That
is the animal impulse!"
at is mine, nevertheless" he re-
joined, coldly. Il shall heal in the
woods-if anywhere. Meanwhile, if
you will, you can do me favor"
What is it?" Miss Swan spoke in
her even, professional tone.
"Shunt all condolences that you see
coming my way"
Il will"
Thank you And now the babe,
with everything before him, would
like to be turned overt" But when
Miss Swan made as if to place him in
his usual position, face toward the
wall, knight surprised her by saying,
'The other way, please
When she had made him cOmforta-
ble Miss Swan sat down at Knights
bedside with some sewing. His face
was calm and as inscrutable as ever,
it had never been easy to read,-but
cling past her to something beyond,
we're looking straight at her. AS she
met their half-defiant, half-despairing
gaze her heart beat little faster.
Perhaps she had reached something
in him, after all Perhaps she might
go deeper still and reach the frozen
springs far below the surface, that,
1Nn do r0
would bubble freely again, and in time
enrich his life. She would try again.
IF misfortune comes to you it will
come from Within" she began, stead1-
~. But it will not come, for very
soon you will be too strong to think
of compromising with the best that is
in your nature. You may run to con
vert for a little while. Then you will
take your place in the world and
fight through to the end"
Knight flushed duly. DON'T" he
cried, Warningly.
I'm not talking rot Miss Swan
said, smiling as she quoted. Still
less am l trying to soothe you into
easy acceptance of your lot. | am
speaking after % years experience
with cases like yours. | will not try
to tell you how many young men and
boys | have seen pull themselves out
of the slough Of dependency and re-
bellion and find footing on the firm
ground of helpfulness and indepen-
dence.
They have been of all classes ard
of varying degrees of intelligence, re-
fnement and morality, but all have
gone through just what you are 60
ing through; and while they have fal-
tered and fretted at times at what
seems fate's injustice, not one has
weakly dropped into the nothingness
of inactivity or wickedness.
81 am not fanciful. ! see life in its
sober hues. But how do you suppose
l always see those truly moral men?
AS a complete and perfect circle OF
light. And so, l believe, must God
see them"
When Miss Swan looked at Knight
| his eyes were closed. 1t seemed hard
work for him to breathe.
Don't think me better than | am "
he said, almost roughly, and without
opening his eyes. Il said | prayed to
die. | haven't spent all these weeks
praying, but in doing something quite
differentiated in the proportion of
! about three to one. No, I'm not ELI
gible to that circle of yours"
Miss Swan was on her feet now,
bending over the pale young face on
the pillow. AS nearly as may be she
was the ideal nurse, with something
of the surgeon, something of the man
Oh God in her woman's makeup. She
was all woman as she lightly lifted
.he black locks That fell over knights
forehead.
Your hair needs cutting, dear" she