Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-05-03
A FINANCIAL OPERATION.
Duped by a Woman.

COmDl6XlOu6Q, SOm6Wi1db Eldu D
about fifty years of age, with grizzIet
hair and mustache, and vigor of ey,
and form which, although he was retired
gave ample evidence that he was blessed
with plenty of strength and energy, ant
would be quite ready for hard servict
should his country require it of him. Or
this morning he was correcting the proofs
of a pham plet that was shortly to appear
entitled THE Proper Formations in Say
age Warfare" This phamplet was look
ed forward to in military circles with
good deal of interest, for Col. Puntel
was we'll known man, and was highly
thought of as a scientific soldier. He hao
been at work on these proofs for two
hours, and had just made up his mind
that ID was time TO walk down to his club
when his servant entered the room, and
presenting card. said that the lady
would be very much obliged if Col. Pun
ter would grant her an interview.
"Certainly," said the colonel; then
glancing at the card, he muttered to him
self: Mrs. Verner-I can't remember
ever 20 have heard the name before.
wonder what she wants." Then, being a
kindly and courteous man, he rose from
his writing desk, pushed the proofs
he might not appear TO have been inter
rupted at work. Scarcely had he com
pleted this little maneuver VIXEN the door
opened and a lady, well but quietly dress
ed, was shown into the room. She was
tall and graceful, and wore heavy veil
which, however, on the servants re-
firing, she threw back, and holding out
her hand, advanced with smile, saying
81 am afraid, Col Punter, you will have
forgotten me-"
The colonel was quite equal to the oc-
casion, and returned her greeting cordial
ly raking his brains, in the meantime, to
think where he could have seen that
beautiful, sad face before. It was the
face of a woman of about thirty five
years of age, or perhaps little more,
with dark hair and eyes, and an indefn
able expression of mIrth beneath its sad
ness, indicating, as it seemed, a light
ness of heart which the troubles of the
world might have dimmed but could not
obliterate. Observing, apparently, the
colonels somewhat puzzled expression
she continued gaily.
81 see that, as / expected, l shall have
to help your rNemOry. Don't you remem-
Der Miss Maud Mervyn when you were
quartered at Dover more than twenty
years ago? Why, Col. Punter, you had
just got your company then, and we used
TO dance together at the Dover balls"
"Give me a moment, Mrs. Werner" he
replied, twenty years Is long time for
an old mans memory to go back In 6
flash"
"Now don't deny it," continued she
laughing. II see you don't remember
me, but am not at all offended, for, in
deed, how should you? 1 was slip of {
girl then, and you were, if you allow me
to say SO, a LIAM of about thirty. /, ne
doubt, was an infinitely Insignificant per
son to you thsn, as, on the other hand
you were a very important person to me
Bot, you see, am obliged to plead oul
old acquaintance, Col. Punter, as it is my
only excuse for the liberty L have taken
in calling on you"
Excuse of any kind is quite unneoes
sary," said the colonel with slight bow
and smile.
ct is very kind of you tC say so,' SHE
replied; "anc when you have heard m!
sad story l think you will give me the
advice which l have come to ask of you.
eff it is a subject on which am at al
qualified to speak," said he, Il shall bt
most happy"
81 thin it is decidedly your subject
Col. Punter," she replied, ''for it is abou
my son, who is in the army, that 1 wish
to ask your advice.
''YOur son-in the armyv" exclaimed
the colonel, with an infection of voice
that was decidedly plimentary TO thu
youthtulness of her appearance. May
ask the regimentY"
THE Sixteenth Lancers."
'sThe Sixteenth Lancersn repeated thu
colonel. "Why, Mrs. Werner, know you
son. His commanding officer is an Ole
friend of mine, and I have slight &C
quaintance with the whole regiment"
"This is very singular and very lucky
said she. CAS- you know my poor boys
regiment, | think you will be better able
to understand and advise on the troubles
and difficulties | am in regarding him
Will you let me tell you ny sad stor,
from the beginning, or shall L be boring
your"
ooh, pray don't think so for moment
Mrs. Werner" said the colonel; and b.
would have liked to add, Nothing yol
could say would bore me-" but felt i
would be unsuitable to the occasion.
"Well," she continued with sigh. "m,
married life was short and not a happ,
one. My husbands health was Away
bad, and for this reason we had to reside
abroad. When we had been married TIVE
years ny husband died and left me alon
in the world with aH infant boy" Sh
paused aud seemed lost for a moment il
sad memories, while the colonel glanced
sym pathetically at her, but thought it wei
to say nothing. "Well," she continued
during the last twenty years l lived al
most entirely abroad, but l sent my sol
to be educated at Elton, and about tw
years ago he obtained a commission il
the Sixteenth Lqneers. Words canno
tell what a comfort and Joy my son ha
been to me during my lonely widowhoo
Il have been so proud of all his schoC
triumpks, l have always been his conf
dante when he got into trouble. You see
Col. Punter, l am sadly constrained t.
use the past tense, for l am grieved to sa
that since he entered the army his man
ner to me has gradually changed, unit
now, when [ do see him, which is not oft
en-, he who used TO be all frankness an
love IS all GOODNESS and resorve-and-an
If this goes on it will break my heart.
Here she fairly gave way and covered he
face with her hands. Col. Punter's sot
heart was always much perUurbed at tn
sight of a wCmaR in tears. So he ker
murmuring In his most soothing accents
pray, madam, pray calm Yourself.
am sure will do all l can to help YOU"
In few moments she recovered heI
self and said:
"You must excuse my breaking dowr
know it always vexes 4 man to see
woman's tears. But / will promise nc
to do so again, and I dare say you ar
wondering what you can do to help me i
this matter. Well, the fact is, want
know the worst. I have heard rumol