The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-03-08
HINTS Vow


foriginail
Leonard HUT was very conscien-
tious young man. Had he been born
200 years ago he would have been an
anchorile Of the most austere type.
Leonard lived IN small village with
bis widowed mother, to whom he was
devoted, having little or nothing to do
with the softer sex. Since he was a
fine looking fellow and had the reputa-
lion Of being intellectual and strong
character, his seclusion was very an
noying TO the girls Of the place. most
OF whom would have been very glad OF
his slightest attention.
During the shooting season HUT
went off into the woods to get a bird
for his mother. whose health and appe
lite were delicate. lie came back
without the bird. but with a very dis
tressed mind. What had happened no
one knew, but the news was soon
spread over the village that Leonard
Hutt was doing some sort Of penance.
He had sworn to taste nothing but
bread and water. not to attend any
sort OF amusement and not to speak,
How long this self imposed deprivation
was 20 last was not known.
Now, II Mr.. HUT had only known i
the real penance he had taken upon
himself was Of far greater moment
than the one he had intended. There
were not less than ten unmarried girls
in the village, and every girl was at
once seized with desire to compel
the penitentlary TO speak to her. Not
one of them but would have regarded.
the effort Of any other to make him
break his vow as an objectionable SIM
Each considered that In her own case
there were exceptional reasons except
Rebecca Gordon, who he'd no con-
science IN the matter and who began
laying trnps from the moment she
heard OF the vow.
one afternoon Leonard was walking
along q road when he was startled by
cry and a short distance before him
saw woman lying on the ground. He
hurried up to her and saw Rebecca
Gordon helpless with spralned ankle
eOh. MIR. HUT" she walled, what
shall dor
HUT asked with his eyes as express
lively as possible what was the matter
rrve either broken or sprained my
ankle" she said.
Leonard looked very much embar-
raised ana put his fingers to bis lips 70
Indicate that they were sealed Reoec-
cas- pretense not to understand bis
motion was all the more embarrassing
to him, but he held to his silence and at
last by pnntomlme indicated that pc
would carry her home IN his arms To
thia she objected FOR awhile. hoping BY
complIcating matters to force him TO
sneak. But at last she gave in, be took
her I'D and carried her home. he nad
no sooner turned his back on the house
thnn she danced to the window, shook
her DIST at him and declared that sne
would vet break down his resolution.
NO EOOltE LuN uAAvtuNA - 49, o-~'-
Alice Waters, heard Of the young mans
vow than she began assiduously to cul-
tivate his mother with q Wow to erect
| lng an entrance to the house and laying
siege to him. When Leonard reached
homo after his adventure with MISS
| Gordon he went into his library and
tired ana fretted, threw himself On
lounge. A cough admonished him tna'
some one was IN the room, and, looking
about him, be saw Miss Waters sitting
| by window She had been sewing
/ but hed dropped her work and looked
| painfully embarrassed.
~ didn't mean to lntrudel Mr HUT.
! she said ruefulIg "Yonr mother saio
Won wouldn't be at home for anotne,
| hour. ard / just came In for q momen'
| to get fhe light through this window,
HUT stood looking 80 much empaf
saesed that be could not say anyln'o'