The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-02-24

blankly into the eyes Of a young man
of twenty-six years, who arose to meet
her. She had expected to find herself
in the presence Of a fourteen-year-old
boy.
Where are your crutches?" she
gasped.
Thrown away forever, 1 hope.
Aren't you going to congratulate me
and tell me that you are glad"
But you are so tall and so old" she
faltered.
"a veritable Methusaleh. A modern
Goliath" lie responded smilingly.
II thought to find a little boy" she
hesitated.
'And are you very sorry"
"Not exactly sorry, but awfully em'
barrassed and ashamed" she laughed;
'and | had no reason in the world for
my supposition excepting that your
mother is so young and beautiful"
"The mater is all Of that" he ac.
guessed tenderly. 81 believe she mar
rled at seventeen"
y
tai food" said Chiffon, demurely, hand
ing him the books "If we had been
properly introduced l might offer tc
assist you to assimilate them"
Philip Calvert threw back his hand
some head and laughed aloud for the
first time since his accident.
"HOw unchivalrous. But perhaps
you prefer muggins or old maids,' she
continued, taking a pack of cards from
the table and looking at him with
dancing eyes. "Why, you are stand
ing! and yesterday was the first time
that you had stood alone"
'By Jove, 1 had forgottenw he ex-
claimed.
Lie down Immediately, and I will
skim through the paper il you like.
What shall it be-the stock market
first?"
IF you please" he answered, not
caring rap what she read, so long
as he could watch the soft flush on her
cheeks come and so, and meet her eyes
occasionally.
Mrs. Carol was much surprised to
find them thus costly ensconced. She
had wondered at Chiffon's disappear
ance and was feeling q trife hurt that
she had not asked to visit the invalid.
Philip maintained a prudent silence,
while Chiffon, with evident embarrass-
ment, explained the situation.
rs 1t all right that l should read, a
little, to Mr.. Calvert?"
ut is evidently ali right" answered
Mrs. Carol, looking Understandings
into Philips animated face. 1.-THE stock
market has acted as a tonic''
Chiffon was an excellent horse
woman, and it was rot long before she
was allowed to drive Philip out.
The young man chafed under nfs
affection. Naturally an athlete, he
longed for, activity. One day still an
other famous surgeon was summoned
in consultation.
That evening when Chiffon made her
daily visit she found q morose listener.
At last Philip took the paper gently
from her, saying:
ITS no use, Chiffon. 1 have not
heard one word, can't listen tonight.
want to talk to you. can walk very
we'll now, and the gruff old fellow who
was here to-day promises that German
baths will affect permanent and
speedy cure. Still, I won't go abroad
alone"
"Such thing would be very indis-
Greet at least. I fancy your mother
would go with you," she answered.
II should not think of allowing her to
leave her nev-fOund happiness" Then.
II thought, perhaps. that
some one whose sweetness and ador-
able womanly inconsistencies have
warmed my heart into new life, some
one whose precious encouragement in
hours of despair has been unspeakable
comforting me and giving
me hope when / had grown morbid
md felt myself being apart
thought, Chiffon, that this dear girl
might marry me and take in the con-
-inent as wedding journey" Then,
with nervous rapidity, "I
Knew il l saw her, day after day, she
would become the life of my life. But
how was poor cripple to run away
from his fate even if he were so in
clined? Sometimes she whom 1 love
Is the embodiment of tenderness; at
other times, l feel that Ter heart is
ldamant."
His forlorness appealed to her. She
Redeemed at memories of her own du-
plioity, little elusive acts that went to
hide her love for him from his watch
full eyes. Then after a silence, she
said demurely:
"Why speculate any longer, Philip?
Why not ask her? 1 assure you that
she loves you, dear."-Waverley Maya
zine.