The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-02-17

Alice Fairburn and Margery Hender-
son were more like sisters than cou-
sins, until man came to interfere
with their affection.
Dan Hedley, the son of neighbor-
ing farmer, was a good looking fell
low, whose natural and acquired at
tributes rendered him wonderfully sue
cessful with the fair sex. He had no
respect for women, and was therefore
unhampered by any scruples of con-
science in his dealings with them. His
favorite method was to flatter the
present at the expense of the absent;
and, unfortunately, this ignoble plan
did not often fail Besides this, his
assurance carried him through many
difficult situation, and it frequently
enabled him to GUST woers Of greater
merit.
Alice and Margery we're accounted
the two most attractive girls in the
ne1ghborhood and formed a charm
Ing contrast; Alice being of the fair
and sentimental type, while Margery's
eyes were dark and absolutely
sparkled with fun and mischief. Be-
tween them the cousins, young women
as they were, did most of the farm
work-such at least as appertains to
women, and made light Of it, too, for
they were thoroughly practical and ro-
bust. Then. when the days labor was
over, they would sing and laugh, and
chatter; or saunter. down the leafy
lanes with arms entwined around each
others waists, whispering their foolish
innocent dreams and secrets.
This until Dan Hedley sowed dis
sension and jealousy where before was
naught but love and kindness. He was
playing risky game, making love to
both of them, but the danger added
Zest, and it is possible that he did not
know his own mind. Sometimes the
soft languor of Alices eyes moved
him, and in them he could admire his
own reflection; but soon the rogu1sh
glance of Margery proved too allurlng
and led his thoughts astray. Why, oh
why, was he not Turk, that he might
not be forced to choose between each
charmers? Heaven knows how many
kisses he stole from each in turn, or
how many lies he told to conceal the
fact! Alas that it should only be
Jove, not Juno, who laughs at lovers
perjuries
AS neither of the girls was of the
nature to tolerate or find amusement
in infidelity, Dan required to exercise
considerable tact to steer his course,
and how he eventually intended to
steer clear of shoals, since bigamy is
a punishable offense, is not known;
for fate took matters into its own
hands and brought Dams double court
ship to a somewhat abrupt termlna-
ton.
A strained condition of affairs was
perceptible between the cousins one
afternoon in late summer. Margery
began it by finding fault with Alice for
spending too much time in making the
butter, and consequently keeping the
expressman waiting who called for 1t
every week.
Now if there was one thing more
than another upon which Alice prided
herself it was the perfection OF the
butter she sent to market, and as the
morning had been sultry she had ex-
perienced considerable difficulty in
bringing her present lot up to the
mark. Everyone knows how difficult
IT is to shape and imprint the pretty
yellow pets under such adverse condi-
rons and her temper-already rufled
by the many failures she had expert
enced-was not in condition to brook
reprimands.
sJf you're not satisfied with my
work | think it's high time | went
elsewhere" she exclaimed, her cheek
flushing, and her blue eyes shining
through a mist of tears; Il dare say
there are folks that would suit We
better. even if they should make but
fer like cart grease! AS for me, there's
M need to be beholden to you, while
rye got hand to work for my bread.
All it's you that's mistress here,
though you never made me feel that
before!"
"Its not far you are thinkin' of trav-
cling" retorted Margery, sharply; "but
it's never safe to count your eggs as
chickens Ay, an it's nasty OF you to
he blowing about your position. My
conscience is clear on that point, any
way: fathers treated us both alike,
hasn't he, now?"
"Oh, yes, but your fathers not you,
Margery!"
There was retort on Margery's
tongue. but she managed to suppress
a. Her superior position as daughter
Of the house had it's responsibilities.
n had also its disadvantages, for Alice
took an exasperatingly humble tone,
and the pride that apes humility can
he extremely offensive at times Mar