The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-02-03

ladylike. She never flirted in her life
She was too much of a woman, and
was shocked at the thought of coquet-
ry, or Irritation of any kind. Every
one knew her to be upright, honest
and pure. Everyone, even to Vane
Stanley, who for whole year adj
mired her in secret and afar off, be-
cause he could never approach her or
have moment alone with her, for
Madam Clarence and her two unmar-
ried daughters were always on the qui-
vive to hear what Mr.. Stanley had to
say to their pretty cousin, who had
neither money nor home, and nothing
in the world but her virtue, and
beauty, and her accomplishments.
Mr. Stanley was fully aware of all
these facts, and admired while he
secretly feared her. Women as clever
as Lucy Dean did not often marry
commonplace men, but he meant to
marry her, and he meant to make Miss
Dean love him, too. But it was uphill
work, with madam and her two
daughters forever watching, and Mr..
Stanley was put to his wits end for
remedy.
1t struck him one evening, while
paying them his accustomed visit, that
he would employ the language of the
handkerchief, knowing full we'll that
Lucy would not notice it even if she
understood it, but as constant drop
ping will wear away a stone, so he
hoped to wear away her prejudices
He began that very evening by telling
her with the aid of the handkerchief
that he loved her, but Miss Dean never
noticed him.
This went on for two weeks, Mr..
Stanley making frantic efforts to Sc
cure her attention, and Miss Dean re-
naming in sublime indifference, until,
in very desperation, after telling her
with his handkerchief that she was
cruel, asking her to wait for him, and
numberless other idiotic performances,
he seized the opportunity to whisper,
when they were for moment alone:
do you understand the language of
the handkerchief, Miss Dean?"
mo" she replied quietly.
"And would not employ it if you
did, | presumed"
II don't think | would"
Then Madam Clarence came bustl-
ing up to the young couple, sitting
so near them that further converse
ton was for that time suspended, and
Mr. Stanley departed without another
word to Miss Dean.
In few days she received through
the mail a mysterious package con-
tanning full descriptions for the hand
kerchief Irritation. She tossed it in
dignantly aside, her cheeks burning at
the very thought of STOPPING to that,
and wondering what Vane Stanley took
her for.
A little later, however, she picked |
1t up and read it over, and before his
next call had made herself familiar |
with it's language, never intending to |
use it, but merely out of curiosity to |
know what Vane Stanley would do
next.
She was becoming interested il that
gentleman and his novel way OF COM
municating with her, although she felt
as though she should despise herself
If she ever answered back.
HE must have poor opinion of
me-" she thought, ito think that |
would"
But Vane Stanley did not have
poor opinion of her He only thought |
she might engage in handkerchief
Irritation with him with perfect pro-
priety. 1t wouldn't be like flirting
with other men, of course.
He gave her many little signs that
she understood at once, and though
her cheeks burned scarlet, yet she
never replied She had said she never
would flirt, and would not this be firt-
ing? Besides-ah, just Heaven!-she
was beginning to love him too well
to firt with him.
1t went on like this for year-for
a whole year-and Mr.. Stanley's assid
uity never failed. Madam Clarence be-
gan to hint of the probability of
wedding before long, for Mr.. Stanley
always had so much to say to Laura.
of course it was Laura. Lily was
quite too young, and as for Lucy Dean
well, nobody would ever marry her;
she was to much like an old maid, and
although she knew secretly that Vane
Stanley admired Lucy immensely, yet
she took good care that she should
never have a more intimate acquain-
lance, but throw Laura and Lily con-