The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-02-10

Wnen the last words were sung by
the gleeful little crowd, Marion was
seized by Tom and kissed-kissed there
before them all! This was more than
she could stand, and with tears Of
wounded pride filling her eyes, making
her stumble as she went, she hurried
home. Tibet was an Insignificant incl
dent and evidently forgotten by all
concerned, but in the mind Of Marion
it remained and ranked
So Tom was home Did she care?
She wondered if she did, and was just
going to admit that she believed she
did-a little,-when the gate opened
and up the long path straight to where
she swung in the big hammock under
the trees, walked the very one of whom
she was thinking, Tom Patterson. And
in that moment she admitted to herself
that she cared-a great deal.
She rose and, smiling a welcome,
came to meet him. why, Tom, how
you've grown. You hardly look the
same to me-"
But l am the same to you, Marion,
if you would only believe it,"
Toms glance said more than his
words. Marion blushed and seated
herself in the hammock, while Tom
flung himself with careless grace on
the grass at her feet.
Why should l believe it, Tom?
You've been saying pleasant nothings
m mo nyor ci11ca I WAC q 1ittIo rirI
Why should | believe you now any
more than in those other days?" And
Marion began TO swing lightly to and
fro, looking at Tom with half mock
ing smile, but thinking at the same
time what fine fellow he was and how
glad she felt that he had come back,
If it was but for visit.
But Tom was speaking, and when
she recovered her thought she discov-
cred with a thrill, that he was ans
Wering her moclling question with seri-
Gus elaboration. The reason, Marion,
why you should believe me now, is
that this time l mean it, No, that's
hardly what l mean. I've always
meant it, but | never dared say any
thing very serious. Now that I have
shown that can earn enough to make
home, | have come to ask the only
girl in the world if she will share it
with me.
Why, Marion, I've loved you ever
since that day-of course you don't
remember-a day when you were lit
tie girl and | a year or two older.
We were playing King William and
was it There was far away look
in his eyes, so Marion had chance
to steal a glance at him before he
turned again toward her.
1T was your first game, and some
one suggested you as good one to
choose. | didn't need to be told that,
however, for l had you all picked out;
had chosen you the minute | got in
the game. OF course they didn't know
SO when l caught you and had that
first kiss"-he paused Significantly
they thought it great joke.
81 felt dreadfully sorry when you
felt so bad, and cried; and l wouldn't
play any more that day. But l said to
myself then, and have said it many
times since that some time | was going
to have another; though OF course
wouldn't want it if it should affect you
as the first one did" He looked for
some sign from her, but Marion did
not stir. All this time she had sat
with face turned away, her eyes shin
ing and her cheeks rosy.
At last Tom began to grow fearful
of the prolonged silence and broke il
with, Nov l have dared. l have
come. Don't send me away, for l have
always wanted you"
Send you away? l wouldn't dare
Marion turned toward him a face all
smiles, but eyes dimmed with tears!
Il wouldn't dare because, well-because
I've always loved you too, Tom, al
least since that day we played King
William and you gave me my first
kiss"
And then Tom had his second, and
another, and an. But that's be-
yond our pale; we were to stop at the
second.-National Magazine.