Little Falls transcript., 1885-01-23

Lille We w s3Ot, oA1so 1A'toAS'' 4"
the least predatory nation III the %o:ld.~
"That's a novel view at least"
"And true one. Why, look, at our
conduct in Egypt now! Germany &C.
tua]ly wants rs to take it, France can't
prevent us and we won't. We shall at
last, of course; we always do ultimate
"; but 1t will have to be crammed
down our throats before we swallow it.
And as for this little scheme OF mine,
the foreign Office would stop it in
twinkling if they knew; but they don't,
and what's more, they shan't till I'm
there"
"And then?"
"And then-we1l see,
"Annexation, once begun,
Bequeathed by pirate sire to son,
Though bafaed oft, is ever von.'
And the major smiled, well pleased
with his impromptu parody.
"Is it piracy ?" asked Dick.
"Don't know. Perhaps. We must take
the risks.
"Yes," echoed Dick, 1--WE must take
the risks"
The major looked at him inquiring-
IT am coming with you," said Dick
simply. After which they were both
silent for while. "Yes," said Dick
again presently It'll go with you. It
will be work and excitement, and change
Of scene, and it will be better. at all
events, than eating my heart out here.
And look here. Morton, you might
give me some work to do, connected
with the expedition in town Or some
where. I want to get away. ( think
I shall sell this place. 1t won't fetch
much but it's no use now. Yes, I'll go
over tomorrow, and say-say goodbye
TOTO her, and then I'll go up to town.
Docket will find me purchaser, or,
perhaps, buy it himself"
He frightened up little under the
idea Of active work; but his face sad
dened again az he ceased speaking, and
his chin dropped on his breast.
The major smoked on in silent sym
pathy, and presently rising, pattel his
friend soothingly on the shoulder once
or twice.
"It's hard lines, Norton" said Dick,
with break in his voice; "it's hard
lines"
II know, my boy-I know" said the
major, still with that soothing hand up
on his shoulder. But you'll get over
it, like the rest of us. I had it myself
once, real bad"
"You?" said Dick. He had mover
thought of connecting such confirmed
old bachelor with the hot hopes and sick
despairs under which he suffered.
"Being mortal, have made fool of
myself in many ways" responded the
major, "and in that, among others. You
know her, too"
II know her? Who was it. mnjor 2"
Microscopic investigation might have
discovered something like blush un-
der the deep tan Of the majors face.
lit was Mrs. Frump?" he said
Mrs. Frump?" shrieked Dick, i'll
dignant. "Why she's SIS, aud has a fig
ure like kitchen poker"
thirty years ago, and so was !, said the
major. And she had the figure of Di-
ana then. My case was worse than
yours, Dick. We were actually en-
gagged, and she threw mo over for old
Trump and his yellow boys. I got over
it better than she did. Trump used to
allow her fifty pounds year for dress,
and swore if she had candle to go to
bed. Told me so herself. Poor little
Kitty" The major sighed, and blew
his nose thoughtfully.
"Wa9 that the only attack You ever
had?"
Yes, I am sorry to say. All, Dick,
my boy, it. better be in love, oven hope
lessly, than out Of it. You think you're
preciously ill-used, don't YOU, now?
And when you're my age you'd give all
you've got to be able to go through it
again. Iwould, though that isn't say
ing much begad!" he added, with rue
full grope in his pockets.
"Good night" growled Dick, os dis
gusted as any hopeless lover would be
at being told that he was happy man,
and the maj or echoing him placidly: they
parted for the night.
Next morning, after silent and
scarcely tasted breakfast, through
which Dick sat with countenanre as Of
condemned criminal resolved to face
the inevitable with all possible CAIN, he
betook hlmselfto Okenham Pr1or7, The
major watched his diminishing figure
from the window till he was lost Ill the
gloom of the encircling trees, ard shook
his head as he returned TO his beloved
chart.
Poor beggar!" said the MAJOR.
Dick passed the lodge Of the Priory
with gloomy nod, addressed to tn" ven
erable rustic who guarded it ana strobe
along the avenue, feeling his courage
oozlng from him faster at every step,
and at q sudden turn of the drive he
came across q spectacle at which it evap-
GRATED all at once, and left him limp and
shan1efaced. It was nothing very ter
rlble after all, only young lady In
plain white morning dress, with a
thread Of scarlet at tho Throat and
broader band OF the same color at the
waist. If she was not as lovely as Dick
thought ber, it was only because
that would have been beyond the power
of any mortal woman. She was tall,
and straight and 1.-the, and, seen though
the halo of lovers fancies with which
he surrounded her, she seemad majes
tic. But Dick was q singular young
man for the nineteenth century, and all
petticoated things were sacred and lnvs
terious in his eyes, and this especial
g1rl O. thousandfold more than any 9TH
er. She had basket on her arm, and
severely business-like aspect Of face,
which changed to one Of patient suffer-
ing as she beheld the approaching Dick.
"Why will you come at this time?"
she demanded, with the raised eyebrows