The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1908-03-13
How Amy
Was Saved
BY Florence B. HaIloweH
(CopyrIght.l

that doesn't turn your hair white
nothing but old age will do it,
Gertrude looked meditatively at
the open letter lying upon the sheet
she was hemming. 1t was addressed
to her sister and was written in
large, slanting hand on the thickest
OF parchment note-paper, which eX-
nailed an odor of heliotrope The
writer was Mrs. De Councey Barris-
tow, the president OF the Humane So
ciety, and she informed Miss Fitz-
hugh that all arrangements having
been completed for the art loan ex-
h1bition, for the benefit of society,
she ventured to ask from them the
loan OF two or three family heirlooms,
feeling that they must have many
treasured relics of by-gone genera
lions which could not fail to be of in
terest to the general public. She
promised that everything intrusted to
her care should be carefully guarded
and returned intact at the close OF
the exhibition
Il don't see that there is anything
to be done except to tell her frankly
that we have nothing to lend" said
Gertrude calmly
yes; and have her look complete
ly overwhelmed with surprise; beg
my pardon, and say she is so sorry
and that she wouldn't have asked me
for the world, if she dreamed for
single momeM that we could not com
ply with the request. Oh. know
her! | know her only too we'll
IF I could only beg, borrow, or
Gertrude! !" Amy sppang up suddenly
from the old lounge on which she had
thrown herself. Il have it! That
box belonging to our revered great
aunt In that
"Qh, Amy, you wouldn't, you
couldn't open that"
Yes; l would and l could-under
these desperate circumstances. Where
would be the harm? Aunt Reliance
is in California and would never be
any the wiser, and there is no end OF
old china in that box. I'll get the
Ratchet and open it now. Glorious
thought" .
Gertrude looked grave Her old
great-aunt, Reliance, was so exacting,
and so imperious, that all her rela-
tives stood in awe of her. The previ-
GUS fall, on going to California to
spend the winter, she had sent large
box to Miss Jane, with the request
that it should be stored until her re-
al fn1l chA cd in
the accompanying letter that the box
contained the superb antique vase
which had been left to her by ma
ternal uncle, and the white and yell
low Powered teapot which had be-
longed to her grandmother Fitzhugh
Amy, who had once paid visit to
Miss Reliance, recollected both heir.
looms perfectly, and had described
them infinitely to Gertrude.
Suppose the things should be
broken?" said Gertrude.
1--WE won't suppose anything so un-
likely rejoined Amy, who was in
high spirits, now that she had solved
her perplexing problem.
Amy received most ELUSIVE letter
from Mrs Barristow, in which she as
serted that she could never be suffi-
GENTLY grateful for the privilege of ex-
hibiting heirlooms so beautiful and so
rare, and would hold herself respon-
sible for their safety
The Art Loan Exhibition-thanks
to the tireless energy of the efficient
president of the Humane society
was a pronounced success. People
were pleased at the idea Of exhibiting
their family relics, and of having an
opportunity to air their pride of
birth; and those who did not contrib
ute came to critieise, admire and gos-
sip.
Amy and Gertrude arrived a little
late, and after ramble around the
room stationed themselves near the
table on which the fat teapot and the
top-heavy vase had a conspicuous
place. Upon each was card bearing
the words: Loaned by Miss Fitz.
hugh And Amy felt momentary
pride as she called Gertrudes atten-
ton to them.
Suppose, just suppose. | had con
fessed to Mrs Barristow that we
hadn't an heirloom of any description
to loan,' she said In low voice; I'VE
certainly wouldn't have dared show
our faces here tonight
Perhaps you were right" rejoined
Gertrude, but still
She was interrupted by Mrs. Barris,
tow, who came rushing up to them,
her face radiant.
Here you are, mounting guard over
your beloved treasures, | see" she
cried, In her most cordial voice. Chow
n..o,. tIaaal 1rcil cItfa .niaz,tIsz ~.