The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-01-09
CHAPTER XIV.
TILE SECRET IN DANCE

THE SECRET IN DANGER.
"Hum!" said the Colonel, dryly; "a
petticoat"
"Et cetera," suggested Walter, meek
ly; and we think he was right, for pet
ticoat has never in our day been the
only garment worn by females, nor even
the most characteristic; fishermen were
petticoats, and don't wear bonnets.
"Wh0 is she, sir?" asked the grim
Colonel.
"Your niece, father" said Walter,
mellihuously, "and the most beautiful
girl in Derbyshire."
The Colonel snorted, but didn't con-
descend to go into thequestion Of beau
'"Why did my niece retire at sight of
me?o was his insidous reply.
We'll" said Walter, meekly, "the
truth is, some misunderstanding fOolhas
been telling her that you have lost all
natural affection for your dead sisters
child"
The stout Colonel staggered for mo-
ment, snorted, and turned it off. "YOu
and she are very often together, it
seems"
"All the better for me-" said Walter,
stoutly.
And all the worse for me-" retorted
the Colonel. And as men gravitate to-
ward their leading grievance, he went
off at tangent, what do you think my
feelings must be, to see my son, my only
son, spOOning the daughter of my only
enemy; of a knave who got on my land
on pretense of farming it, but instead
of that he burrOwed under the soil like
mole, sir; and now the place is defiled
with coal dust, the roads are black, the
sheep are black, the daisies and butter
cups are turning black. There's smut
OH your nose, Walter. forbid you to
spoon his daughter, upon pain of faith
er's curse. My real niece, Julia, is a
lady and an heireSS, and the beauty OF
the county. She is the girl for YOU"
and how about the seventh COM
mandmentp" inquired Walter, putting
his hands in his pockets.
"Oh,' said the Colonel, indifferently,
"you must mind your eye, like other
husbands. But in our walk of life it's
the mans fault if the woman falls out
of the ranks"
That's not what mean," said Wal
ter.
what do you mean, then, if you
mean anything at alp"
IL mean this, father. She marries
Percy Fitzroy in three weeks; so if fix
my affections on her mp to the date of
the wedding, shall / not be tempted to
continue, and will not foolish attach
ment to another mans sweetheart end
in avicious attachment to another mans
wife?"
Once more was the Colonel staggered
for moment, and, oh-as the ladies
SAYS it not gratifying TO find that
where honest reasons go for nothing,
humbug can obtain u moments hear
ing? The Colonel admitted there was
something in that; but even humbug
could not divert him long from his
mania. The only thing to be DONE"
and then. Why, he stands five feet
nothing"
That's the advantage he has over
me-" suggested Walter; "she is five feet
eight or thereabOuts, so he is just the
height of her heart"
The Colonel burst out laughing. "You
are no fool" said he; that's the second
good thing you have said these three
years. | forget what the other was,
but ! remember it startled me at the
time. You are a wit, and you will cut
out that manikin or you are no son of
mine"
Don't say that, father" said Walter:
"and cutting out, why, that's naval
operation, not military. L am not the
son of an admiral"
mo equivocation, sir; the forces as
sist one another at PINCH"
''IIow can cut him out?-there is no
room, he is tied to her apron strings"
"Untie him, then"
At this moment, whether because
Hope attracted everybody i'm the course
of the day, or because talking about
people draws them to the place by some
subtle agency, who should appear in
sigh but Miss Julia Clifford, and little
Fitzroy wooing her to closely that real
ly he did seem tied so her apron strings.
"There," said Walter, NOW use your
eyes, father; look at this amorous pair.
DO you really think it is possible for a
fellow to unite those twoT'
quite possible" said the Colonel.
walter" said he, sententiously. there's