The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-04-14
HE, She, And CHARLES
BY r. .. WRIGHT.

soon after he had started on his les.
sons about the Dog, and the Rat, and
the Active Cat. Then Higgins had
brought Miss Pnrvis letter, and with
1t something had entered into Charles
Augustus life that he could by no
means understand.
You see, Charles Augustus loved his
goyerness greatly. She came next to
his father and mother and was above
the goat Charles Augustus had quite
decided TO marry Miss Purvis when
he grew up. and had even talked over
the details with the young lady her
self.
The letter, when she read it. made
Miss Purvis' fasa go all pink and beau
tifui, and then pale. and her eyes fill
with tears. Then she put the letter
away In the bosom OF her gown, and
Charles Augustus thought that was the
end of it. But it was not For as
often as he loked up from his book or
slate he saw Miss Purvis reading the
letter, and each time he saw tears in
her eyes.
What could II be in those scrawly
black marks TO make people cry? He
cried when he was spanked or shut up
in closet. or had to do something he
did not want to-but this wasn't like
that Charles Augustus could not un-
derstand this silent crying. When he
cried he wanted to let the whole world
know-and usually succeeded
Later, when lessons were over, he
saw Miss Purvis through the window,
writing letter, and she was crying
over it. Plainly there was something
in this writing business which was
decidedly unpleasant. Charles Angus
tus decided then and there that he
would never write. Then, when she
had finished, she went off to the vii
lage and would not let Charles Angus
tus go with her.
In that half hour OF easy time which
came when Charles Augustus had
shifted from his day things into the
ample lengths OF his flannel pajamas,
and, cuddling down into the big chair
with Miss Puryis, toasted his pink
toes before the fire preparatory to go
ing bedward, he came once more
across this peculiar thing which he
could not understand. For Miss Pur-
Wis was strangely silent, only answer
ing lstless yes or no to his obsery-
ations on life, and the curious ways
of people, and the idiosyncrasies of
the goat She did not take much in
terest even when he touched upon the
many things he would give her when
he became a man and they we're
married-the rings like mammals
and an express wagon, and jar OF
ginger. Though her arm drew him
close when he told her how much he |
loved her, yet Charles Augustus was
not satisfied. He relt as though |
something Invisible were between
them.
He put up hand and turned her
face toward him.
You do love me, don't your" he
said. And YOU win wait for me until
| am big?"
She kissed him and told him Yes
she would always be his sweetheart.
But I'm afraid. dear, I'll have to go
away. win you mind?'
Charles Augustus minded very much
and said so. and the thought kept him
awake long after he had gotten into
his bed. Through the door he could
see Miss Purvis and the fire. Then
!, = GO xp bo, g,f q auddor kaod for,.,ar,l |
her face in her arms. and heard her
sob.
Though he wanted to comfort her,
told Charles Augustus that
Miss Purvis wanted to be let alone.
At last she raised tear-stained face
mo, it must not bel" Charles Au-
gustus heard her say. "They would
think it was for his money. 1t is bet
ter as ii is-better for him. | must
leave here as soon as can, and. oh.
don't want to-"
Then Miss Purvis took the letter,
kissed it, and put 1t in a box on her
dressing table-a box with curious
patterns in mother-ofpearl on it, and
with queer lock that only she and
Charles Augustus knew how to open
Charles Augustus mind started to
work this thing out. This letter was
he cause of Miss Purvis feeling bad
". 1t must be taken away. that was
all about it.
The room was quiet, the fire died to
/ little glow OF winking embers, Miss
Durvis was asleep. Charles Augustus
yot up and got the letter. Then he
lid 1t under the mattress, and went
o sleep with lighter heart Now Miss
'urvis would be happy again. and she
you'd not 80 away.
But the next day Miss Purvis was
lot happy. True, she did not cry, nor
lid she read the letter which Charles
augustus had crafty tucked inside
lis blouse, but yet she was not the
Hiss Purvis of aforetimes; who laugh
d. and sang and romped on the lawn
With him. 1t was not the mere pos
ession of the letter. then. What
vas Il?
He must not come" Il must leave
ere. Charles Augustus remember
d those words. Some one was com
ng, then; some one who would carry
Hiss Purvis, the Beloved, away.
'harles Augustus thought OF Giants,
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