The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-07-27
THE PRESERVE CLOSET.

upon my word this is about the coolest pro-
ceeding ever knew
Col. Templar sat in his bachelor sanctum
where the rays of an April SUI shine shone in
lines of glittering gold among the Neapolitan Vi.
olets in the window, and drove the little canary
half wild with silver-voiced delight sanctum
crowded with miscellaneous confusion of meer-
schaums in different stages of color, dressing
gowns, cgar-boxes, newspapers, and gorgeous
velvet slippers-he contracted his brows modify
over letter whose pink paper and delicate scent
of foreign perfume betokened troublesome lady
correspondent.
''DEAR SIDNEY.'-Yes, Pm always dear when
Bertha wants disagreeable commission execu-
ted-what hypocrites women are, to be sure-'an
eligible house, somewhere in some nice locality,
it surely can be no trouble to engage one for us.
No trouble, quotha that's just womans ran
dom idea! No trouble to rush from pillar to post
house-hunting Where's the indemnity of bachel-
orhood, I'd like to know? 1 might as well be a
married man in good earnest, if I'm to be saddled
with all the responsibility of the thing. | won't
be imposed upon-Ill write to Bertha at once,
and tell her"
Col. Templar gave his jet black moustache a
savage jerk and pulled his writing-desk res9.
lutely forward. Then softer mood seemed u
dawn athwart his mind-he hestated, biting the
nanule OF ms pen medltatVely
"Poor little Bertha-she always was my pet
cousin, and | suppose it is rather announcement
for her to come all the way here to look for a
house-and her husband will be in India till the
middle of May, and-well, the upshot of the
whole thing is that l am doomed to victimize
myself, and the sooner it's over the better. Heig-
no. where's the newspaper? I'll just look over
the TO Let's first and then Ill 90 to the estate
agencies !" .
The sun was peeping from behind masses OF
flying clouds, like shy beauty who alternately
smiles and hides her face--the air was full of
faint spring orders, even in this brck-and-mortar
wilderness, when Col. Sidney Templar sailed
bravely forth, armed and equipped with various
references, directions and addresses to engage in
the momentous business Of house-hunting
He was not handsome man-yet You would
have turned involuntarily to look after him as
he sauntered by, attracted by the deep smother
ed fire of his dark eyes, and the firm outline of
his lips. No-Col. Templar was not handsome,
but he was what the ladies term Interesting"
Moreover, he carried an empty sleeve where the
left arm should have been--an everlasting me-.
mortal of the red battle-clouds. ID
at seems comical enough for me to go house,
hunting" unused Templar as he strobe EDWARDS
through the dusty streets. "For me, the solitary,
homeless recluse of one-and-thirty years old.
Four years ago things appeared different to me
four years ago l might have dreamed of a home
of my own, with Marion Caryrs bright eyes to
light up its hearth-stone! All, me! this is a
world of change A carless word--a little mis-
understanding-and here am crippled old SOL
der, while Marion is probably making the sun.
shine of some other mans life. Hold on am
getting maudlin and romantic-eh, Sidney TEN.
plar? This will never do, old fellow"
The colonel gave his heavy black locks back.
ward toss, as if impatient at his own folly and
vigorously directed his attention to the list Of
eligible residences in his pocket-book
"No. Al - street. here's the very place
Wants painting badly on the outside, but may
present more promising appearance within
At all events we'll try"
He rang the bell, and brief skirmishing O
servants in the hall, faded lady, in dyed silk
and hair in crimping-pins appeared.
SIS this house to let, madam y inquired oul
colonel deierentially.
swell, yes, it's to let, but you can't see i
now"
Cant see it now?"
"No," snarled the lady, vindictively. "Hour
are between two and four"
'1'm quite sure the female in the crimping
pins is an old maid" decided the colonel, men
tally, land l think she must have breakfasted of
broken glass and cambria needles. wonder i
the people at No. III - street will be an,
more aifable"
A pretty, blue-eyed woman, in a torn wrapper
and slippers down at the heel answered tn
door-bell
"Can / see this house 2" meekly questioned
Col. Templar
Could you call again in about an hour!" ask
ed the blue-eyed one. Ny husband is out, ant
we've been 80 troubled with thieves and respect
able'looking agents who carried keys with 'en
that -"
"Oh, beg your pardon. Under the circum
stances will not intrude," said Col. Templar
with comic elevation of his eyebrows per
haps. however, you will be good enough TO oh
serve that leave the doormot behind me, quit
SAFE
The blue-eyed lady looked after C,l Tcmpla
ne ne strobe away, with puzzled face,
It's as we'll / didn't let him come in" was he
internal comment. "He looks as if he might b.
n little crazed."
While Col. Templar s;roked his moustache ant
pondcred obviously within himself:
81 wonder if / do look like rogue"
"Herbort, BERTHE. don'tyou hear the doorbell
BERTHE say Z"
The gentleman apostrophized as BERTHE wa
sitting at an old-fashioncd mahogany desk, al
sorbed in pile Of blottod manuscript, with di,
heveled hair. and middle finger deeply staine
with ink--eydontly young author, very niue
in love with his profession Directly before hil
stood The speaker, young Lady Of twenty-tarc
or Whereabouts.
She was exceedingly pretty, with the innocen
dimpled beauty II white kitten or a pct rabbit
blue-eyed, with complexion where faint vos,