The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-14

distant KnswOman and acted as q
sort OF duenna to Evelyn, dned with
us that evening. and our little partie
carree seemed to me more than U.s.
ually merry. owing doubtless to the
relaxation Of the strain which both
Cameron and had been under for
the past week.
1t gratified me to see my host 90
unfeignedly cheerful. remember
how ne laughed over Mrs. Lancaster's
recital Of an incident Of the morning.
Il had no idea." she said, that An
drew" referring to the kennel master,
was married. He astonished me
when he told me he had wife and
three children. And when I told him
he did not look like married man
he seemed rather pleased than other
WISE"
1T Is odd," Cameron returned, "but
1t seems always to hatter a husband
to tell him he doesn't look it." And
then he laughed as though he had no
care on earth.
After dinner We had the usual
music, and Evelyn sang again that
lyric Of Baudelaire's, this time In the
original French. But the melody
brought back to me In vivid vision
Our chance meeting in the woods and
all Its train Of circumstances.
When had finished applauding.
Cameron turned to me.
DO you like Baudelaire?"
Il like his art" I answered. "and
his frank artiflciality."
"He appeals to me-" Cameron con.
fessed. "decadent though he ia. I
have read everything he ever wrote. I
think, prose and verse. Did you ever
see my copy Of his 'F1eurs du NAL?
The casket is worthy Of It's contents.
1t Is the most exquisitely bound little
volume ever saw. Come, I'll show
It to you"
! excused myself to Mrs. Lancaster,
and with pretended formality bent
or ''veiyn's hand. brushing It With
my lips
Won't you be back?" she whis-
pered.
II hope So" was my answer. But
l can't promise"
"Oh. what trial 1t Is to have
selfish uncle!" she murmured as I
went
Cameron led me through the Ii.
brary, across the hall. and thence in
to his study, where he dove into a
miniature book rack reserved for his
favorites. After q moment Of fruitless
search he said:
1T isn't here. How stupid! took
II upstairs week ago, l remember.
1t Is In my dressing room. Do you
mind coming up?"
Did / mind coming up? How glad
l was 10 see him interested! He was
more like the old Cameron than he
had heen at any time in the past sew.
en- days. My golf prescription had
proved even more eff1cacious than
had dared hope.
At the risk Of being tedious
must describe Camerons dressing
room. It was not large-probably 20
feet square-with three doors; one on
each Of the three sides. That which
admitted from the passageway faced
that which opened into the bath room.
On the left, the third door connected
with Cameron's bedchamber. On the
right were two windows. giving upon
an outside balcony. Between them
was a fireplace.
To the left Of the bath room door
was the entrance to huge closet,
guarded by a heavy curtain Of old
rose velvet. To the right, was q sta
tionary wash-stand. and above 1t
rectangular mirror, probably ten inch.
es wide and foot long, and very
curiously framed. Across from this,
against the wall which divided the
room from the passage, was an enor.
nous chiffonier, or chest Of drawers.
In the rooms center was q round
table, on which rested reading
lamp. Between the table and the
fireplace was reclining chair. 9th.
er chairs, three or four, were various
ly placed.
] have given these facts because
they are necessary to an intelligent
understanding OF what am about to
relate. That In furnishing and adorn-
ment the room was plainly utiltari.
an is not 80 material. But there is
one exception to this general declara.
tion. which demands to be specified.
The mirror above the wash.stand pos.
sessed distinction quite aside from
Its practical utility. This was by no
means the first time l had seen it.
Cameron had showed 1t to me, with a
degree OF pride, early In our &C.
quaintance. explaining that 1t was at
once a relic and an heirloom Orig.
inally the property Of Nell Gwynne,
1t had descended to him through
three or four generations Of maternal
anpnotnrc