The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1911-03-03


Cynthia had ever heard 1t, when he
spoke
Il was determined to see you, and
drag the truth from you," he said,
"deeming ii my right to know, but"
He paused and looked at her long
and earnestly. I've reached the
conclusion that 1t Is really better for
me to 70 on In ignorance. shall
re-enist in the army and sail on the
next transport for Manila"
jack" The girl stopped short,
every atom of color gone from her
cheeks. II WON'T won't hear OF
it," The words choked in her throat
and her eyes filed. Then, all at
once, she pulled herself together and
said, resolutely: Il shall tell you the
whole truth, Jack. l had made up
my mind to keep silent-from pride,
with a great, big p. But-but-of
course, | cannot let you go, believing
mel hardly know what, or what
not Last night went into Martins
for supper with Fred Humphrey. At
the table, just behind US, were party
OF four-the Elwoods and the
Thorpes. They were discussing our
engagement, and one Of the ladies
that the Davisons knew nothing OF
the fact that Mrs. Haskell's great
uncle was barber"
rs that all?" Dawson heaved
prodigious sigh of relief.
Isn't it sufficient"
Hardly"
you don't understand, Jack. 1t
seems an insignificant thing, but 1t
is the keynote of an widening
circle in this narrow little social
world of ours, and well, did what
I thought was best"
Dawson made a gesture of disgust
What kind of love do you call that?"
he demanded, curtly. "You give me
up for good and all just because"
Il loved you too much to bring
anything disagreeable into your life"
interposed Cynthia, gently.
Dawson burst into laughter. you
are Quixotlo little idiot, Cynthia.
Here is your destination, by the way
Shall I wait around couple of hours
or come to the house at the usual
time tonight"
Neither. I'll call you up at six"
And with a backward smile she dis
appeared between the flaming beds
of flowers.
Dawson returned to his office in |
a rejuvenated frame of mind. The
entire days work had been ruthless
ly neglected and he applied himself
diligently to the stack of mail on
his desk. Six o'clock came even
sooner than he expected, and when
the bell over his shoulder gave a
prolonged, imperative ring he jumped
up eagerly.
The girls first words stunned him.
him.
"Good-by," she said. I'm leaving
in fifteen minutes for New Orleans, |
The Hartreys sail from there on
Tuesday, as | told you, and my pas
sage is already engaged"
my mind was made up, dear, and
didn't dare run the risk of letting
you see me again. lit is for the
best, believe me-
Without comment DAWSON calmly
hung up the receiver He damned
his hat over his eyes and ran down
three flights Of steps to the street.
His runabout stood at the curbing.
He stepped in and whizzed off at
speed limit toward the station.
Seven minutes later he was elbow
ing his way through the scurrying
crowds toward the lady's waiting
room. He found her at a news stand,
glancing idly through periodical
What do you mean by running
away from me in this fashion,"
ooh, Jack" she said, reproachfully.
"why did you?"
because you are mine. and I've
perfect right"
IT should have written to you and
and explained everything" The
girl sat down weakly on the bench
nearest her, her face ablaze with
scarlet. "You can have no concep-
ton of the modification l was forced
to endure-should have had to endure
always"
This doesn't sound like your old,
broad minded self. Gym
thia."
"It is a new side to me, the proud
side, dear, which you've never had an
Of observing before
Pride be dashed. And-youn
never get aboard this train, Cynthia"
"Indeed?" Her black brows went
up with a touch of challenge
Indeed I'm going to prove to you
how utterly ridiculous your theory is.