The Mineral argus., 1884-11-06
THE GENERALS WARD.

currie was growing cold and his hench-
man and trusted servant Scott was
amazed and a little alarmed at such ex-
traOrdinary proceedings. The cause of
all this was a letter with a foreign post
mark held feebly in the generals hand.
1t was briefly, nay, tersely, written:
-TH HUssARs, DELHI, May 10, 49,
DEAR SR-Just received your last letter;
many thanks for the budget Of papers you
have sent; they are most acceptable. Am any
thing but well, and much worried Will you
do me a favory My girl is anxious to see
England; it is simply impossible for me to get
leave for the next two years, and as that state
of affairs does not please her she has deter
mined to start of by herself. OF course she
will have proper chaperonage from here and
bring her own people, but l thought you would
Xix to do me a turn for "auld lang syne" and
look after her. 1t seems altogether a most
unOrthOdo1 arrangement, but she is a young
woman with a will, and you know my old max
i'm, Anything for a quiet life" She will ar
rive, l expect, soon after you get this, and will
go first to Charges street with the woman who
rs taking care of her. With much gratitude
snd remembrance to the old set, ever, dear
Dick, your affectionate friend, RUG DAILY.
T. S.-Inclosed find draft on my bankers for
any expense she might incur. Dessa is just 10.
1t certainly vas an alarming prospect
10 a bachelor. A young girl untram-
meled, untaught, to be thus thrown on
his handSl The general felt as if an
eclipse had suddenly darkened the sun
shine of his life; as if some heavy veil
had dropped over the bright vista of
the future. To have his days tOrmented
by the whims and fancies of a little
mink, his social joys disturbed to escort
a young savage from the tower to Nine.
Tussaud's-the thought was terrible.
He pushed away his plate, and in his an
noyance rumpled his carefully adjust
ed locks of hair, whereat Scott grew
more alarmed, and at last summoned up
courage to ask his master If be would
not like some fresh breakfast. The
general woke from his dream of horror
and looked gloomily at the man.
"Eh, what, Scott? breakfast No.
I think / shall stroll round to the club;
1 have had some troublesome news"
Scott silently brought the immacu-
late hat, stick and gloves, and stood by
while his master rearrange6 his locks
and adjusted his hst.
The general drew a deep breath of
satisfaction as he marched up st. James
street to his club. The sun was shin
ing gloriously, the air was warm and
delightful, and gradually his depressed
spirits rose, and he felt once more him
self.
"After ALL" he unused as he walked
along. "Daly used to be the best fellow
in the world years ago; who knows if
she may not take after him? ] shall
look her mp in the morning, trot her
about to one or two places, and then /
shall have done my duty. 1t is just
like bruce Daly"-his wrath was rising
~again-"to put a man in my position, a
bachelor, in such an awkward fix; but
he always was the most careless and
shiftless man possible. Wonder is how
he ever married and had a daughter.
Let me see, whom the duce did he maE-
Yy?"
Back into the far past fed his memo
ry; but although he thought and
thought, he could not recall the mother
of the girl who was coming to plague
his life.
II might ask Goodwin" he deter
mined; she is sure to know. Deuce
take it! Why on earth am 1 to be trou-
bled with another mans worries?
WHY ulu buC mObHtE uI6s why QlQ
DAILY marry and have a daughter
His ratings at fate we're interrupted
by a hearty good morning" from a
hale-looking man. as he entered the
club and sat down at the same table,
wherein was laid a dainty breakfast.
GOOD morning, Goodwin" he re-
piled gloomily, not even trying to catch
q glimpse of his reflection in the mirror
opposite, a sign he was greatly dis
turbed.
"Have some breakfast"
Thanks"
Hunger wal asserting itself. He
took the cup of coffee, pushed across
the table and stirred it round and round,
his thoughts flown away to his vexation
again.
'sWhy, hang it all, man; you look
quite worried anything wrong?" asked
Col. Goodwin, in an interval of hearty
eating.
Eyes" laconically; and then he un-
burdened his mind to his friend.
Col. Goodwin looked amused. ''Well,
I don't see anything terrible in all this, y
he said, with a twinkle in his eve; you
are fond enough of women as a rule;
why should you object to this one?"
'SThis is a very different case,' said
the general, testify. Iadmire women
it is useless to deny it, but L like them
cultivated, refined, gentle, not raw, un-
tutored savages a. this young female is
sure to be. Then it is the greatest bore
on earth to be tied and bound by the
whims of a girl in her teens, who will