The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-12-28

| satisfactory, returned for further alter
alton
Amy dismissed the maid and donnel
the garment, her mind turning sen
fences over and over still striving to
express only the proper amount of in
terest Then. as she absently arranged
ribbons and lace, there came the firm
conviction that to write was impossi-
BILE; that she must see him as soon as
distance would allow.
1t would not have happened had
Amy been properly chaperoned and
companioned instead of maintaining
the independence which Mrs. Yridgely
often and uselessly deplored. The gen
erously salaried and loyal servants
only looked their establishment when,
wearing the elbow sleeved bodice of
her elegant reception gown. black
lace fichu and plain travelling hat Miss
Amy announced that she was going on
a journey. AS she descended the steps
she received a large box from for
lists boy. and this she abstractedly car
ried with her.
She was still carrying it when, after
an hours ride on a train. she walked
to the old Scott homestead, at the end
of the village where she had been
raised. She had been engrossed in the
past but once inside the gate she
was reused to a somewhat embarrass
ing present. With painfully beating
heart she stole away to the summer
house, hoping there to regain self con-
troll before ringing the bell. AS she
entered a voice, speaking from the
gloom, startled her.
Are you back so soon, auntle?''
She would have run away, but a sud
den weakness at sight Of him. heavy
shade over his bandaged eyes, made
her stumble to the bench beside him.
He put out Il cropping hand as If sens
Ing something unusual
as it you. auntiei Is anything
wrOng-Or-who is itT'
The shock of his helplessness swept |
away everything but tender pity. |
yeaming love and longing to minister
to him. She caught the cropping hand !
and kissed It, sobbing with lmpetuous
abandon:
"0h, Harry, Harry! | came as soon
as | knew. | am going to stay with
you and take care of you forever You
shall never, never be alone in the dark
ness again."
Why he cried "Why, ii must be
1t is-Amy! Ny own Amyw
His next movements demonstrated
that his arms at least were as strong
as of old, and Miss Colver submitted
to the loving bonds without a struggle
Dear" he said gravely when the old
misunderstanding and the purport
the purloined letter had been made
clear-"dear | do not mean to let you
leave me again, because you might for.
get to come back, but must not hold
you by false pretense. You came. like
1 sweet angel. to care for blind man.
put you will not discard me, will you {
though my sight be fully restored as s
now have hopes 1t may be?" r
ooh. Harry"
The ecstatic cry and the soft. bare
rms about his neck were answer l.
'nough
From the crushed box between them S
here crept a perfume that presently il
'rought unpleasant remembrances to
iiss Amy
why" she exclaimed. examining
he contents and the accompanying /"
ard. the senator's roses! And have Il
n my She viewed the costume "
gith amazement. guilty sense of out a
aged social amenities and her sisters .
When she had made shamefaced ex
Henry Scott intimated. with
/hcartIess disregard Of the senator's =
battered hopes. that the parsonage :
'as close by ahd that the evening bod "
e and the roses were plainly in prepa- J
ltion for the wedding that was to oc-
lr Immediately. T