The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-11-24

| neglected plantation. She hau PROV
ed self reliant, although she wuold
have preferred to lean. She had done
more than this. For the ,aAn Cf
! the n.rmory of old family pride and
a promise tC her father, she had let
slip WON; nkird's most precious prize,
thc heart cf : man she loved, ald fer
whose atfe.i;on she now pined.
mot unless you come to the Old
Fort and make it your home," she had
told him.
Camilla" he urged, consider,
dear. Must | give up my chosen
work, my whole career? Why can
we not visit here at times?"
1t was now years since he had
left, uncertain of her decision. He
climbed where his work required a
multitude while she remained at
home. There was an admiring
world about her, but with the per-
sistence of a woman's nature, Ca
milla hungered for one love alone
She was now willing to make the
| long-sought concession if by that
means she could claim her lover
once more.
1t was in this mood that Camilla
arose and peeped into her fathers
study. His favorite books were on
his desk, and the "Hcadlights of His
tory" were in the bookcase. He had
thrilled her youth with such tales as
the ambition of Michael Angelo and
the Jealous piety of Judas Macca-
beus.
Her mothers work table was in its
accustomed place across the hall, by
the window; an oval-bodied, flat-topp-
ed, spindle-legged bit of rosewood
known ir it's time as "The World
. Occasionally it spread Tapping
wing from each side as though il
was some heavy bird plumed fol
fight. 1t had never flown, however
having stood on the same hill dur.
ing three generations of Holmans
Old! Everything was old, and she
was so weary of old things. She
who was still young and-yes, was
entirely decided.
She walked to a window and look
ed out where three slim piles of ma
sonry topped with heavy slabs Of
white marble CLEANED from one cor
ner of the yard. One mound bore
white shaft at its-head. A mag
nolia tree bursting in ivory bloom
hung above their white covering
She could almost see the Inscription
on her mothers tomb, "Margare
Halford. Consort of Henry Graham
Holman Blessed are the dead WHIT
die in the Lord"
There were consorts in those days
Now a wife is a helpmeet, drudg'
or a toy, as the case may be, bu
the qucenly grace of consort ha
, departed. The inscription smacke,
of royalty and the certainty of ce
lestial joys was satisfying.
Ear and Mer and Little Mac" Ca
milla murmured, using her childisl
contractions. She turned end walk
ed out of the front doorway to tn,
) quiet neighborhood in the corner
Gathering an armful of magnoli;
blossoms, she placed them about he
fathers monument, arranged a crow
for the little consort and sat dow
on the white slab which claimed t.
have been put there in memory o
Maccabee Holman. She wept a lit
tie.
She addressed her fathers tomb
stone: 81 am going to leave. Th'
Orphanage will preserve your nam,
in honored memory. If he still
wants me that will be better than t.
have an old, ugly, childless woman
living at the Fort. I don't thinl
YOU ought to care, for I am so lone
ly."
She arose and placing one pluml
arm about Henry Grahar's shaft
pressed her cheek to its oval sur
face. After a few seconds sht
leaned over to give an endearing pa
to the little consort, and turned tt
her household duties.
That afternoon Camilla was sit
ting in a comfortable office will
Judge Bland, of Oaktown, engaged il
earnest conversation.
Remember" she spoke, decisively
at goes to no one for speculation. 1
must only be sold for a home"
"You say you will be out of tow
for sometime?" Judge Bland ques
toned.
eyes; | am going up North"
Her phrase would have indicated {
fixed point in geography. She pro
nounced it Nawth, but that also was {
Southern colloquialism, as was hel