Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-10-21
thrown them together and onco noo,,

thrown them together and once more
exposed him to the perilous influence
of her beauty. Time, however. and
the congenial society of joyous band
roughing it with true sportsmanlike
equanimity in an anomalous structure
by courtesy called a shooting box,
gradually acted as a panacea on his
overstrung imagination. The presence
moreover, of a ''ministering ANGEL in
the person of his host S sister, who
presided over the household arrange
ments of the improvised establishment,
contributed not a little to distract his
thoughts from the one idea which had
hitherto exclusively preoccupied them.
Annie Thornton, bright-faced, fair
haired lassie, in her capacity of
general purveyor to the requirements
OF her guests, was precisely the right
girl in the right place. Without being
strictly pretty, she had winning
charm of manner, rendered still more
attractive by soft, low voice, ian ex-
cellent thing in woman the sooth-
ing influence of which one of her visit
ors at least was capable of appreciatinc.
No more efectual cure for mind
diseased could have been devised than
the society of, in every respect, so SYM
pathetic a hostess. Before a fortnight
had elapsed since his arrival, Egerton
began to regard a stroll on the heather
in her company as infinitely preferable
to the best day sport, and-although
he would hardly have ventured to con-
TESS as much-had a dawning percep-
ton that the image of Gertrude Trevel-
yam was in imminent danger of being
permanently replaced by that of Annie
Thornton.
The idea that this might possibly be
the case both startled and embarrassed
him, and he felt inclined to put him.
self out of the way of temptation by in
venting a plausible excuse for his i'm
mediate return to London. He was
not vain enough to imagine that after
so short an acquaintance he had sue
ceeded in producing a favorable i'm
preston, and had no fancy for being
rejected second time. Thus, inclin-
alton pointing one way and a by no
means pleasant experience the other,
he resembled traveller between two
crossroads. uncertain which to take,
and looking in vain for a finger-post to
indicate the right one.
A solution of the difficulty, however,
was at hand, and coming from totally
unexpected quarter.
One evening, when-Harcourt, and
Stansbury the other two guests, had
retired early to rest after hard day s
deer-stalking---he and Fred were enjoy
ing final pipe together, the latter with
apparent unconcern asked his friend
what his plans were on leaving Scot
land.
Nothing fixed" replied Egerton;
'haven't thought of them yet
"Ah," said Fred, ''it's lucky that
some one has thought of them for you.
Shall | tell you what you are going to
do? You are going to marry Annie. -
"Annie!" echoed Torrens, staring at
the speaker as if in doubt whether he
had heard Alright. ''Miss Thornton!'
''Miss Thornton, if you prefer it, -
coolly retorted his companion. ''Do
you suppose have no eyes!''
II dom understand stammered out
Egerton.
Eyes you do. Now, let us be logical.
What do people generally come to the
moors for? Sport. How many times
have you been out with us since we
came? Three or four at most. Ergo,
You have found metal more attractive
elsewhere. Is that clear or not?''
Il assure you 1 have never said a
word"
''That's your own fault" interrupted
Fred. LAS this doesn't happen to be
leap year, you couldn't expect her to
say it for you, could you? Joking
apart" he continued, in more earnest
tone, 81 have set my heart on having
my old chum for a brother-in-law, and
for two very good reasons: First,
because have a strong suspicion that
you like Annie. and secondly, because
am certain Annie likes you.''
did she tell you so?' eagerly in
quired Egerton.
Never mind. Perhaps she will tell
you if you ask her, and. between our
selves, shouldn' t be in the least sur
prised if you did so tomorrow
''Nor, T. said Torrens. heartily; and
with cordial shake of the hand the
friends separated for the night.
That the result of the projected IN
terview proved entirely satisfactory to
both parties concerned may be inferred
from our heroes departure at the end
of the week for his fathers seat in
Cheshire, by way Of personally
announcing his intended marriage.
"a mere matter of form,' he said to
Fred. beyond making me younger
son allowance of five hundred year,
the governor troubles himself very
little about my concerns. Whether I
take to myself a wife or remain single,
it is perfectly Indifferent to him. If l
were my brother Augustus and heir to
Somerton, any such step on my part
if, like Lord Privilege in Peter Simple, ;
he holds out two fingers instead of one,
| shall consider myself highly
honored."
Things, however, turned out far
better than Egerton had anticipated.
On hearing that the tiancee was the
daughter of his old acquaintance,
Admiral Thornton, Mr.. Torrens senior
designed to express his approval of the
match, and moreover graciously signi-
fled his intention ofincrea>ing his son s
allowance to thousand year; which,
thought the latter, together with
Annie S modest portion, won]d enable
them to set up housekeeping pretty
comfortably. He betook himself.
therefore, after stay of several days,
to town in high spirits.
The train from Scotland by which
his bride-elect and her brother were
travelling not being yet due, he strolled
into his club, where the first person he
met was the inevitable Tommy Cable
ton, who fastened on him like a leech.
"You have heard the news?' he
gasped, in tremor of excitement.
"What news?' asked Torrens,
smiling at the little mans agitation.
'Anything fresh from Zululand?"
"Bother Zululand!'' retorted Tom
my, indignantly. "Gerestein has
boltedr'
'Bolted! What on earth do you
mean?''