The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-08-21

but young louu WIS uOb 10 De leu away
wholly without an effort; he had had time
10 reflect on the position.
@One moment, uncle" he said, disengag
ing his arm; a always have cigar after
dinner. I'll not keep you n 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 they both sus-
| pected him, and guessed the object of hi,
| coming; it would be necessary to STRIKE
| while the iron was hot He was a man Of
action, quick and prompt; when he thought
thing, or said thing, he carried it out al
once There had leen no shilly-sballying al
| any Period of his existence THAT able
| and indefatigab officer" he hal once beer
ylei in dispatch to headquarters, and il
| had brought him promotion and made him
| a pioul man. Able and indefatigabie he
| was-who knew that better than he-and he
was not going to be bafiled at the outset by
| a pig-headed boy and chit of girl. MOI
| he; he was too old a soldier and too used to
| campaigning.
| Young Todd was Kluttering something to
| Miss DAILY - making fresh arrangements.
| possibly the major said sharply:
Come, Edwin, we can't hang about here
all night"
-'lAll right" said Edwin evidently in soms
| fear of his uncle at present, 81 am ready
A few more words from him to Miss DAILY,
the same innocent expression on Miss Days
face, and then Maj Crawshaw and his
nephew were on the high 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" lie said, "and
lot of bold faced women behind them
ready to fiirt with any cad who turns up"
People must have refreshments, l sup
pose, young Todd remarked
| Il would limit the refreshments consumed
TO bona fide travellers l would not allow
bali the town sneakng i'll and out at all
hours after these girls, if had any authority
here Fly JoveI I'd alter the whole busi.
| ness said the major
81 don't think half the town goes there
don't know, said Edwin Todd, mildly IL,
was 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
this was always the difficulty with young
| Todd
You so there" said the major, suddenly,
| "for one
"Yes; but Pm not half the town exactly,
| and"
And you're always there, Edwin, you
| know yon are"
Who tell you 500 Motherf7 asked his
| nephew: "or my sistersf"
Il don't mnce matters Your moth Z
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 | had better run down and sea what
mischief was done and what mischief could
| be prevented, and here l am. There"
1t was no wonder that Mai Crawshaw 5
feelings were hurt when Miss DAILY had
hunted that he was far from straight
forward: there was no beating about the
bush i'll this instance He had told his
nephew very plainly what was the object of
his visit. and within quarter of an hour of
his meeting with him, too That NaS brisk
and frank and sodier-hke. AT any rate
Young Todd smiled in a galvanc kind Of
fashion, and shifted his stick from his RI. ia
hand 10 his left
There's no mischief DONE uncle, and
there's no mischief TO prevent" he said at
last
"Thats we'll I'm glad of it
THE women folk are foolish and nervous
shout it. and"
About WHAT" asked the major, interrupt
ng him
about nv going TO the station and hav-
ing little chat now and then-as young
fellows will, you know-with pretty
woman- ] dare say you have done it your
self in your day. uncle
Hundreds Of times" was the ready an
swer: "but it was all fair sailing, sir. aud no
false sentiment or false principles behind it
al. Do you understand me"
"Yes-no-l think so y
Il wasn't fool enough to fall in love with
any woman of that kind "
Il suppose not
Are youf"
ain love, Or nor said Edwin Todd.
with feeble little laugh; mot exactly:
that's not in my line"
although. if had been in love, | should
have been man enough TO own ii. ;" continue
the major. There's something simple in it.
hut nothing disgraceful, if its an honest
affection
"Preci3ely,- said Todd; "just my opinion,
| uncle"
But you're not in love"
"Not l. Not bit Of that" said the vulgar
Young Todd. with rather feeble LAUGH,
You're too sensible a fellow, hopes'
Il fiatter myself ! am"
fIm very glad to hear it, Edwin. for your
mothers sake "a well as your own; hut
don't keep speaking with your teeth closed !;
it aggravate, me-" said the major @And
now TO the second and more important
point Are any of the girls at the Junction
in love with you. do you think"
Young Todd bIushed and simpered, and
even hazqrded wink at his uncle.
Il shouldn't like to say; really, one can't
say exactly, you know was his shy and
hesitatiug answer.
81 should say IL was extremely unlikely
remarked the major. after looking askauc'
at his newbew: "but women are easily flat
terd iuto thinking man is in love with
them, and then their silly heads are turned
in all directions but the right
THAT'S their fault" was young Todd's
aAnd their misfortune always, poor women.
Why, consider that man who feigns an
affection be does not feal, and so misleads Il
girl out of her here to think of him, is an
inferno. scamp--a most internal scamp. sir j"
@Why, yes" said young Todd. fairly
alarmed at this sudden exhibition of fierce
ness, so he is. unless"
"Pd cut off such vagabond with a shil-
ling, were he my own son." Interrupted the
major "I'd kick him down stairs out of my
house as / would dog; I'd What do you
mean by 'unlessF Unless what9 Why on
earth don't you finish your sentences"
~ was going-but Won wouldn't let me
finish. If you remember" answered Edwin.
swell, well, ;" said The major, impatiently,
"rntess--"
"unless she encourages him, and leads him
on--knows that he is not likely to marry
her, and still prefers his company to other
fellows, Don't you seef
a see woman going fast to the devil.
Them sal the major. "and say God help