Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-11-06
1t WIN you-wn you take an~ythingl' he
stammered forth.

Maj. Crawshaw glanced from his nephew
to Miss DAILY. The nephew was staring hard
ct the lady; the lady was looking down
demurely at the marble counter.
Too innocent, thought the major; a
deuced sight to innocent to be natural. Like
Miss Bland, he put the lady down as "sly"-
very sly, n a woman of whom to be wary
from that time forth. II she had blushed
and gfggled and leered, as Miss Racket
afraid OF Miss DAILY; but the semblance of
utter Inconsistencies was an artful' pro-
ceeding that proved at once the difficult
nature of the task which he had set himself.
He must be very wary in this business.
He replied to his nephew's offer, mo,
thank you, nothing moro till we get home;"
and he linked his arm in thai Of Edwin's
forthwith.
Ill didn't think of going to the house
just at present" stammered young Todd; u
have only just left it."
@Jts SO long a time since I have been this
way, that l am very likely to miss it with
out your guidance" said the major.
@Yes-but-"
"And surely there is nothing here that is
worth wasting time over" he added, sar-
castically; "the refreshments are bad; and
the walters we can leave to the passengers,
porters and shopmen."
Enthusiastically. Shall I call this fyl
then you can take your luggage as well, and
I cam"
mo, we will walk, Edwin. The luggage
is shocked to follow me. What a time it is
since we have had a long chat together!"
But young Todd was not to be led away
wholly without an effort; he had had time
to reflect on the position.
Zone moment, uncle" he said, ~disengag-
ing his arm; II always have a cigar after
dinner. I'll not keep you a moment"
He stood at a little distance from the
counter, and watched his nephew approach
Miss DAILY and give the order required.
Already the truth was very patent to him
that there was an understanding of some
kind between Edwin Todd and Miss DAILY,
and that they were neither inclined to trust
him in The matter. Already Trey both sus-
pected him, and guessed the object of his
coming; it would be necessary to strike
while the iron was hot. He was a man of
action, quick and prompt; when he thought
a thing, or said a thing, he carried it out at
once. There had leen no shilly-shallying at
any period Of his existence. "That able
and indefatigable officer" he had once been
styled in a dispatch to headquarters, and 1t
had brought him promotion and made him
a proul man. Able md indefatigable he
was-who knew that better than he-and he
was not going to be baffled at the outset by
a pig-headsd boy and a chit of a girl Not
he; he was too old a soldier and too used to
campaigning.
Young Todd was muttering something to
Miss Daily - making fresh arrangements,
possibly-when tho major said sharply:
Como, Edwin, We can't hang about here
ull night"
"All right" said Edwin, evidently in some
fear of his uncle at present, II am ready"
A fow more words from him to Miss DAILY,
the same innocent expression on Miss Days
nephew were OH the nigh road together.
The major began at once-the iron was
quite hot enough, he thought.
II question the policy OF these refreshment
stands at railway stations" he said. land
a lot of hold faced women behind them
ready to fiirt with any cad who turns up"
People must have refreshments, I sup
pose," young Todd remarked.
II would Limit the refreshments consumed
TO bona fide travellers. 1 would not allow
half the town sneaking in and out at all
hours after these girls, if I had any authority
here. By Jove! I'd alter the whole bust
ness" said tho major.
81 don't think half the town goes there. I
don't know" said Edwin Todd, mildly. He
was a mild young man Of outward aspect,
and very difficult to argue with. He had
an unpleasant habit Of agreeing upon any
point for the sake of peace and quietness,
and keeping his own opinion to himself, and
Todd.
"You go there" said the major, suddenly,
"for one."
"Yes; but I'm not half the town exactly.
sand you're always there, Edwin; you
know you are"
4Who told you sos Motherl" asked his
nephew; "or my ~sistersa"
II don't mince matters. Your mother
wrote to say she was unhappy about you
that she was afraid you had formed an at
tachment to one of these young women, and
that l had better run down and see what
mischief was done. and what mischief could
be prevented, and here I am. There"
1t was no wonder that Maj. Crawshaw's
feelings were hurt when Miss DAILY had
limited that he was far from straight
forward; there was no beating about the
nephew very plainly what was the object of
his visit, and within a quarter Of an hour of
his meeting with him, too. That was brisk
and frank and soldier-like. at any rate.
Young Todd smiled in a g~alvanic kind Of
fashion, and shifted his stick from his right
hand to his left.
"There's no mischief done, uncle. and
there's no mischief to prevent, " he said at
last
sThat's we'll. I'm Glad of itn
THE women folk are foolish and nervous
about it, and"
"About whatf' asked the major, interrupt
Ing him
@About my going to the station and hav-
ing a little chat now and then-as young
fellows will, you know-with a pretty
woman. 1dare say you have done it your
self in your day, uncle"
Hundreds Of times" was thu ready an.
swer; "but 1t was all fair sailing, sir, and no
false sentiment or falls principles behind it
al. Do you understand me-"
@Yes-no-I think So"
II wasn't fool enough to fall in love with
any woman of that kind"
II suppose not"
@Are you"
SIN loves Oh, mol" said Edwin Todd,
with a feeble little laugh; mot exactly;
that's not in my line"
although. II I had been in love, I should
have been man enough to own it" continued
the major. "There's something simple in it,
but nothing disgraceful, IL It's an honest
affection"
Precisely" said Todd; @just my opinion,
uncle"
"But you're not in lovel"
mot !. Not a bit Of that, I" said the vulgar
young Todd, with a rather feeble lau"h.
"You're too sensible a fellow, l hopes"
Il flatter myself l am"
@I'm very glad to hear 1t, Edwin. for your
mothers sake al we'll as your own: but