Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-08-30

In the midst OF her perplexity a maid
brought in the remodeled garment and
an imperative scrawl from Mrs.
Wridgely to the effect that the article
be tried on Immediately and. II not
satisfactory. returned for further al
iteration.
Amy dismissed the maid and donred
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. WridgeIy
often and uselessly deplored- The gen.
erously salaried aud loyal servants
only looked their establishment when.
wearing the elbow sleeved bodice of
her elegant reception gown, a black
lace fchu and plain travelling hat.
Miss Amy announced that she was 60
ing on a journey. AS she descended
the steps she received a large box
from florists boy. and this she abb
stractedly carried with her.
She was still carrying it when, after
an hours ride on train. she walked
TO the old Scott homestead. at the end
OF the village. where she had been
raised She had been enC-ossed in the
past. but once inside the gate she was
reused to somewhat embarrassing
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 voice. speaking from the
gloom. startled her.
Are you back so soon, auntie?"
She would have run away, but a sud
den weakness at sight Of him, a heavy
shade over his bandaged eyes. made
her stumble to the bench beside him.
He put out n cropping hand as II sens
ing something unusual
us it you. auntie? Is anything
wrong-or-who Is it?"
The shock Of his helplessness swept
away everything but tender pity.
yearning love and longing to minister
to him. She caught the cropping hand
and kissed 1t, sObbing with impetuOus
abandon:
"Oh. Harry, Harry l came as soon
as knew. l am going to stay with
you and take care of you forever.
You shall never, never be alone in the
darkness again.
Why" he cried-"why. 1t must be
it is-Amyl My own Amyw
His next movements demonstrated
that his arms a. 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
misunderstn nding and the purport Of
the purloined letter had been made
clear-"dear. l 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
a sweet angel. TO care for a blind man
but you will not discard me. will you
though my sight be fully restored. as
I now have hopes 1t may be?"
"Oh. Harryr
The ecstatic cry and the soft. bare
arms about his neck were answer
enough.
From the crushed box between them
there crept a perfume that presently
brought unpleasant remembrances to
Miss Amy.
Why" she exclaimed. examining
the contents and the accompanying
card. the senator's rosesi And l have
on my She viewed the costume
with amaZement. guilty sense Of out
ragged social amenities and her sisters
disapproyal
When she had made shamefaced ex
planation Henry Scott intimated. with
heartless disregard of the senator's
shattered hopes. that the parsonage
was close by and that the evening
bodice and the roses were plainly in
preparat ton for the wedding that was
to occur Immediately.