The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-07-14

deavOr to tease him: his DashIulhess
never troubled him while talking with
ladies on any subject requiring common
sense. opinion and executive ability; he
should. therefore, be able to feel at ease
with Miss Nell, and while in that unu-
sual condition he would make confi-
dent of her and ask her advice and as
sistance. He would try to talk to her
as if she were a man; it might be rash
but he felt equal to almost
any degree of rasbness when he thought
of how many times before he had re-
solved and failed.
So the Major went to the Wallerson
home on the evening appointed by mis-
chievous Miss Nell, with stouter heart
than he had felt, outside of business
hours, since the war ended. He ar
ranged with the young ladyto bring all
his male friends into the surprise party,
and she, rather confused by her new
view of the Majors character. was most
elusive in thanks, and being only twen-
ty-three years of age, and being no old
err than her years signified, was COM
pletely astounded by the Majors cool
ness. She could not help betraying her
curiosity; she looked at the Major in
quiringly, she dropped into reveries and
she said to her mother, who came to the
door of the parlor a moment about
some affair strictly of family nature,
that Mr.. Clinton was entirely different
from what she had imagined him to be.
But the Major did not know this, and
after the business of the evening ended
he began to feel the old familiar cold
sweat that had been his torment in the
swamps of the Chicahominey fifteen
wears before. Conversation had dropped
to the dead level of the National Acad-
envy, the last new novel and Browns
last volume of poems, all of which were
very bad. Miss Nell looked interested,
pretty and sentimental until the Major
half wished she would be her natural
self, for he had at last reused himself to
the combative state, and he wanted to
talk with her in the most serious man
ner about her sister. At last he made q
desperate effort and said:
Miss Wallerson, called this even
ing only on business, but / have for a
long time wanted to say something to
you about matter
Excuse me just for moment, Ma
jor,r interrupted Miss Nell, ''the gas is
Kissing dreadfully. Won't you be good
enough to see which burner it is; I'm
too short to reach any of them, I'm
sorry to say
The Major fastened to the rescue.
He heard kissing noise, as of the es-
cape of too much gas he could not be
sure which of the six burners was at
fault, so he turned down one after an
other until the noise stopped and the
parlor was almost dark,
"You are very kind, murmured Miss
Nell, as the Major resumed his seat
near her; the blowing of gas is dread
fully annoying to the ear. By the way,
you were saying that"
The Major resisted a temptation to
say, 30, nothing Of any consequence. y
and said: II have been long the most
reverent adorer of certain young lady
who"
30, Major!'' exclaimed Miss Nell;
1.-THE idea of you being in love. Did
you"
Excuse me, Miss Wallerson,' said
the Major, hastily, ''but no one is com
petent to pass an opinion on my con-
dition of mind but myself. fully
know my own feelings, and merely wish
an opportunity to explain them in such
manner as may be most respectful y
81 beg your pardon, Major" said
Miss Nell, now entirely on her guard.
sPlease continue, and believe no one
here can doubt your sincerity"
The Majors heart gave mighty
bound; evidently this mischievous cir
suspected something and was willing te
suppress herself.
81 have long been worshiping lady
whom l would have been glad to make
my wife, continued the Major, IF
had not feared that my love and whai
else had to offer her would not seen
compensation for what she would bt
obliged to give up
"Your thoughtfulness does You honor
Major" said Miss Nell, in the kindes
way in the world.
'sThank you--thank you," said The
Major, hastily. Perhaps, then, you
will understand why l speak with more
than my customary freedom. Miss Wall
erson, was trained in my youthful
days to such unquestioning reverence
for woman rs woman that feel almost
like thief when think of asking any
woman for her hand and heart.
"Again, Major, l must say that your
thoughtfulness and delicacy do yol
HONOR said Miss Nell, as demurely q,
if she had never teazed any one in herlife
THANK you--thank you," said tn,
Major again. Il would like first to ex
plain myself, If may trouble you for /:
moment. lam, believe, an honorable
man. l have good business and .
good bank account. want to devot,
both, and my life beside, to the servic,
of the sweetest woman that ever lived
cannot expect her to love me as low
her, for she is an angel, and / am onl,
well, only man.
"A true man." said Miss Nell, still
as demure as parson, sis as good a
anything else in the world--even as goo(