The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-02-17

jor. major. were not all your focks and herds sufficient, that you must needs make this innocent eve lamb captive to your bow and spear.
 But let IS do the majorjustice- In this matter he was not altogether free agent. From the moment he met Patty Rose heath he had felt himself fascinated by her, in spite of all his attempts to per suade himself of the contrary. That quiet, almost timid little provincial beauty, with a general unsophistioa,ed- ness of tone and manner, should have any power to enchant the major of thousand battles seemed to him too ri- diculous an idea to be entertained for a moment It did not occur to him that it was perhaps this very difference from the women he had been accustomed to fiir with tha, constituted her charm.
 Reviewing the matter that morning in the solitude of his chamber, the major looked back on his love passage with a thankful sense of escape. '.l was mighty near making fool of myself that time said the major to himself as he tied his cravat.
 But though the major congratulated himself on being so safely of with the old love, he was far from feeling so com fouable with regard to his prospects with the new. Miss H2rford's heart seemed to be impregnable even to this experi- eneed besieger. The major, who never committed the error of overrating his ad- vantages, confessed to himself that he had done all he knew. He had attacked the fortress with all the parapheTnalia of sapping and mining. zigzags and par aliels. and still the flag of liberty foated moekingly above the unconquered bas- tions. There was but one hope-a tor lorn hope. he confessed 10 himself-and 1 1t was with serious. though determined spri, that the Major resolved on an at tack by storm. He pronounced this res olulion in the memorable words which commence this story. Dash itr said the MaIof. HI save her life"
 Perhaps. had the Major known who il was that had arrived as guest, to Miss Harford on the previous evening. lt might have disturbed his calculations. But there was no reason why we should not listen to he conversation of Diana and her guest, as they sit by the bedroom fire in their elegant deshabille.
 Miss Harford was girl of oonsidera- ble individuality of character. Without affecting any of the airs ofa blue or an eccentric. she generally thought for her self on many subjects. and would state her opinions pretty strongly on occasion. This caused her io be regarded with sus- pleion and dislike by mos, of her own sex. and the weaker oi ours. She was un- usually prudes said improperly we'll read m the drama of the Inst century, and actually preferred the school ofsher- idan to the school oi Schneider.
 What have been doirg lately: said she, m answer ,o d question from her companion. '-Wha, am always doing :: have danced the usual portion ofdanoes, round and square: have read the last new novel. and tried the las; milk and water etfusion they call d ballad: and l have ridden over the usual number of plowcd fields. Nha, more would you have of a woman in my position
 What queer girl you are, Dl, says the other lady wistfuliy. '' always sad you would never ind any man to suit you exactly.
 dear-a man. l see plenty amateur jock e,s and polite letter-wriiers. What want | IS d man one tha, is not afraid 10 be i natural. or ashamed 10 be earnest. l really think our average dandy, with his cool self-sutficieney, and his insulting in difference, the most unpleasant produc- ton of the age. There's the major, now
 "Who Is that"
 Major Majoribanks, my dear: the glory of his regiment, and the idol of ali the horse dealers, amateur actors, and fast young men tor circle of twenty miles. Why. Patty. you're biushing. You don't mean to say you know the man?"
 Il met him-lha, is-he is friend of my brothers said the lady with some hesitation.
 And you've been foolish enough to believe all his nonsense. child, dare say Come. now:
 Well. he certainly IS an extraordinary man. pleaded Patty.
 ,oh. yes. very. He can ride a kicker or write a burlesque. But as for heart why, my dear ohild. he'd toss you aside. ii II suited his purpose, with ..s much in- difference as lfoss that withered came lia- NOW, don you waste thought on him. don't intend to. though the wrc;ohed man has been making love to me Tn his quiet way ever since he cane. I'm afraid every day he'll propose, and shall have the trouble oi refusing him without losing my temper"
 But can't help 1t, said Patty, faintly.
 oh, yes, you can. You thought you couldn't, down in that dull place, with nothing else to think about, but you'll be under different treatment here. can as- sure you. Plenty of exercise and excite ment will soon cure you. I'll tell you what-as great treat tomorrow yoa sha.. ride Crusader. We'll take a quiet eanter along the lanes"
 .'Oh. but can't ride strange horses, !" said Patty.
 'Oh, you'll soon get acquainted. Mind. consider this great favor, and you mustn't hur my feelings by refusing. One of my habits will ht you nicely, and when you return you'll feel spirit enough to defy twenty majors
 You arc darling girl,' said Patty, -