The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-01-06

"Ni0 VA MS pretty Waru, ana SnOOk
his head.
i am going to ride in the park Ina
could not take you there, you know"
why not"
Well-you are too young, let us
say, and too-too good looking And
you couldn't ride in the park alone
with any man except your husband"
And | have none" said Ina, laugh
ing, without noticing his deepening
color What is more, | don't want
one I'd rather ride with you, Roland,
II you would only consent to take me
far rather! l suppose you could net
possibly give up the park for one day.
and escort me over this lovely country
road where there are no Mrs Grun-
dys' to intorfere?"
She put up her graceful, dark head
aside, looking up at him roguishly as
he asked the question.
Seeing that he hesitated, she went
on
"Ah, do-please! 1t is so stupid,
riding alone, day after day, with that
stClid groom at my horses heels"
Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Glenn, bring
ing his horse nearer the steps. Fly
and put on your habit, and l will order
your horse brought round"
Ten minutes later, they rode from
the door, passing down the avenue at
walk, but breaking into trot as
soon as they were on the high road,
outside the avenue gates.
From the window Of the breakfast
room, Mrs Hillyard, the widowed only
sister of Mr.. Glenn, watched them cut
of sight, with a very serious face.
THAT girl gets fonder of him every
day." she thought, as she went ABOUT
her mornings work, giving orders 10
the cook. And he is a fool not to see
where it will all end. Well, if he does
not tell her about his engagement 10
Miss Stearns before long, | will!
The offending pair extended their
ride for many miles, and did not re-
turn till the early autumn evening was
vereing into dusk. Ina brought
brightly-blcoming pair OF checks 10
the dinner table. and looked the very
embodiment of happiness there MI
Glenn looked happy, but also restless
and disturbed. Mrs. Hillyard watched
them both somewhat grimly and silent
ly, and "bided her time.
That evening they were hidden 10
grand party-not ball, but a dance on
a large scaIe-at the house OF Mrs
Stearns. one of Mrs. Hillyard's early
friends.
And there it was that knowledge
of Mr.. Glenns actual position came
TO Ina. sooner than even Mrs Hillyard
had intended
They had greeted their hostess, and
found a pleasant corner in the least
crowded OF the rooms, when Ina was
claimed by one of her usual dancing
partners" fer the waltz just then in
progress.
AS they whirled swiftly round the
room, Ina caught sight OF her guardian
at a little distance, Waiting with d
stately-loolling lady, apparently five
and-twenty years OF age. She was
handsome as well as stately; she had
large Well-opened eyes OF reddish
hazel color, heavy masses of red-brcWn
hair, arranged in the latest fashion,
well-cut features, and remarkably
fine complexion, which was owing-to
Nature or Art? Her friends said
Nature; her enemies said Art.
"Who is that LADY," asked Ina of
her partner, as they paused to rest.
Don't you know herr" He looked
surprised. Have you never been here
before?"
Never. Why do you ask, Mr.. Wal
ters?"
ooh, I beg your pardon! But it
seemed odd that Glenn had never
brought you here-don't you see?-or
Mrs Hillyard. She stands in the
place of a mother to you, of course,
and he must seem as much like a
father as a guardian, should think, at |
his age, for he will never see five-and- |
thirty again, will he? And so, as you |
live in his home, and are his ward, and |
like an only daughter, wondered why
he had never brought you here before, |
to see his future bride"
His bride! Is he to marry-to |
marry herr" said Ina, lifting her bou-
uuet to her face to hide the sudden |
pallor which she felt must be over
spreading it.
She looked at Roland Glenn with all |
her heart her wrung, aching, suffer
ing heart in her eyes. What was
this shallow trifler beside him-this
society man." who, rejoicing in his
own verdant youth, dared to remark
sneeringly on Roland's age?
"Thirty-five!" Even if that surmise
was right what then? At forty-five
at fifty-Roland would still be the
grandest, the noblest man she knew
IN outward appearance, as well as in