Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-25

but slender means, were the plague OF thu
adjutant generals life, so frequent were thu
complaints and grievances that arose from
their racing, rowing, rat hunting, and othe1
proclivities, and that the commandments
himself had threatened to honor the two worst
s~capegraces OF them all with the distinction
of a court martial. The two in questionable
head and front of all this offending-however
took life riotously, and were, indeed, on thu
high road to Avernus, when the following in
cidents occurred: They were close allies, thest
two; so much SO that they went by the mann
of Castor and Pollux in the regiment-nick
names that will do just as we'll as their real
ones, which are those of a noble Irish family
Lieuts. Castor and Pollux, then, were walking
down the High street arm in arm, with very
large cigars in their mouths and very small
| bull, terriers ut their heels, when Nick, alias
Castor, felt All electric thrill so to say, from the
arm of his pal Dick Pollux), and, from
previous experiences, at once concluded that
there was a pretty girl around. So there
was, and a benign old Lady wreathed in
smiles also.
"By George! What IN exceedingly pretty
girl" quoth Nick; and "Looks very solv.
emit" said more practical Dick.
."Let us follow them, and find out where
they live" -
The two ladies, who had evidently been
making some triaing purchases in town, had
turned their faces in the direction Of the
suburbs, and were now walking along the
seashore, the younger with a white, fluffy
poodle dog in her arms. The officers fol.
lowed them at a respectful distance, but the
bull terriers were in earnest in their en-
deavors to make the acquaintance of the
fluffy poodle. Perhaps this accounted for one
of the ladies' knowledge Of what was going
on behind them.
"Let us ask them to call off their dogs"
said Lily; II am sure they are officers Of the
Bombardiers."
"Not for the world, not for the world, my
dear" replied the duenna; mot that I nave
any doubt about their gallantry, the chival-
rous sense of honor of these brave men who
die for their country, and for England,
home and beauty; but think what your papa
would say, with his singular antipathy to
warriors. Oh, 10, never; let us hurry on, or
they NAV ->e,'hans be too assiduous in their
devoirs."
They did hurry or to the haven of a pretty
bijou cottage in red brick and stone gables,
standing among laurels in its grounds, and a
stones throw only from the sea into which
there jutted a boat pier, with a boat at the
end of it. The two ladies disappeared
through the green gate, but Castor managed
to catch a Parthian glance of a pair of very
bright, sapphire blue eyes, while Pollux was
saluted with q series of barks from the
poodle, who now, believing himself at home
and safe from terriers, struggled violently
in his mistress arms in the vain pretense of
desiring to annihilate them both at once.
"a doosid neat little crib" observed Pollux,
staring up at the bow windows. "Just the
kind of little box one would like to dawdle
away a summer in, if one had $4,000 a year,
instead of only 1000 farthings.
As Castor pensively turned homewards he
saw something white, like a handkerchief,
wave from a top window. His spirits rose
with a bound, and, singularly enough, be
never mentioned the circumstance to his dear
friend Pollux.
All! if he had but known that this was
only a frisky freak of Miss Wizard, the
duenna, into whose head there suddenly came
a phantasy of distressed damsel in a turret,
and of two young knights attempting her
rescue. The circumstance, however, was
enough to fan the spark-the bolt from the
blue-in Castor's bosom to a flame, while, as
for his friend, be walked on rapt in con-
temptation of Johns allusion to Mr.. Landon's
wealth and "wulgarity."
Next day, and next day, and the next, the
two friends strolled down to Marine Villa,
and smoked many cigars on the little pier,
but to no purpose. No one came out of the
green gate and no one went in; nevertheless
they enjoyed a beautiful view of the drawing
room windows.
ats not satisfying, you know" said Cas-
tor, "but it's better than nothing, seeing
where she is"
II tell you what, my dear fellow" said Pol
lux, "this can't 20 On nohow. I must have
money, for the duns are all down on me in
shoals, and my respected progenitor is in the
same fix as myself, since all his tenants
down at Castle Pollux refuse to pay him the
'rint.'"
"Hang your filthy lucre! 1 only want her
eyes,"
ut strikes me, my child, that you are very
far gone. But sitting here smoking won't do
us much good in the way of either optics or
The question is, how to get inp
II am sure she is kind hearted" said Cas-
tor. "See how she Rugged that poodle-lucky
aCome! That's good, " cried Pollux. "Happy
though, let us test it."
"How?'
"This way, sonny. You tumble into the
water; here, off this pier; and I will plunge
in and rescue you. Man overheard! Great
sensation, you know. Gallant conduct! Car
ried to the drawing room by John. Smelling
brandy; put to bed! Bless you, my
children, EGO, 600 down, and e2O, 600 more at
my death! Old man now, and can't live
long! Upon my word it's glorious" cried
Pollux enthusiastically.
give me for making SO much of his case. He
will be all right presently. It is not the first |
lime he has been d~rowned-or the last"
II trust not" said the other, walking out of
he room.
He was met in the passage by Miss Wizard
md Lily.
II should like to see the YOUTH said the
irst.
$50 should l." said Lily.
"You may" to Miss Wizard. @As for YOU.
20 your room at once, Miss, and don't
cave it till these young me have gone from
he house."
Miss Wizard stole into the room on tiptoe.
With her fingers, encased in black mittens, to
Ter mouth.
us he dying!" she whispered. $50 young
md so fair! How dreadfull Does he say
anythings He seems to want to speak," She |
oent her head, and the moribund whispered
something in her ear.
"lf you are sure he is DYING" she said to
.ollux, "there can be no harm in his seeing
LILY for this once, though what he can have
% say to her that he cannot say to me, I am
Idon't know"
-aAlone!" murmured the dying man, and
.ollux, looking angrily at him, had to 70 out
With Miss Wizard to the corridor.
Miss Landon was all for praying .bv the
lick mans bed when she was ushered in with
IN injunction from the duenna to be quick.
est her papa should come up, but to her
the little hand she SO tenderlv
offered him was pressed with very animated