Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-12-06
ALLINGSFORD HOUSE.
How It's Burning Brought Things
Out All Right.

How It's Burning Brought Things
Out All Right.
Allingsford House was not very old, mol
was it particularly beautiful; at least the
late Allingsford House, which is the one
am speaking of, was not. But, on the other
hand, the park was one OF the nOblest in
England, and contained some splendid
shooting. The kennels also, at no great
distance from the house, were renowned
both near and far The enormous trout
caught in the Alling, which ran through the
park, were often mentioned in the Field, and
had furnished many a days work to the
local taxidermist. Add to this that the
house was built of red brick and fully in
sured, and perhaps you will not feel so very
much Mortified when ask you to come with
me and burn it, for that is what mean to do.
Remember what a godsend it will be to
conversation at local dinner parties for the
next six months. What story for mine
host at the Eagle in the village to tell for the
rest of his life Then think of the new
quarry at Cutstone, which has just started
working and of young Mr.. Smith, the sci
entiic architect, who has scarcely had a
SiIl1lC JOD SlllCS OCSlSntu I-lC 1Ohu Lon
so successfully two years ago. l admit that,
as rule, burning down family mansions is
not a nice thing to do, and least of all at
Christmas time; but think that you will
agree with me that in this case the circum-
stances render the act justifiable.
1t was Christmas Eve and most of the
guests had gone to bed, for, indeed it was
long past twelve o'clock. But Sir John and
L. T.lo I'D
mained in the smoking room, chatting over
a last pipe and tumbler'of todGy.
swell, it's his own fault" said Sir John.
'He's had as good chance as a man could
wish for, after dinner, alone with her in the
conservatory for nearly quarter of an
hour, the thermometer standing at eighty
five. If he couldn't pull himself together to
propose then, all can say is that he never
will. The boy ought to be ashamed of him
self"
''Yet the youngster is worth dozen Of
the puppies one meets nowadays" replied
the Colonel. 81 shall never forget the day
he got his V. c. at Ashallan Gasha. fancy
/ can see him now, falling back on our
zareba with scarcely twenty men, and those
two Krupps they had taken out of the Arab
fort. Most fellows would have left the guns
WIFI llldO dIlOuSh dSldChOO. duu Suidil
blame either. Not so Harry; he knew that
if the rebels got them back they could have
given US the very deuce of q time of it till
reinforcements cameup; so he stuck to them
like man, and brought them in safely,
toor'
"Why doesn't he ask our niece to marry
himl Any fool can see that he wants to,
and know that Nina wants to, and we all
4n No, la.,
the match it would have been over and fin
ished long ago. Then the girl won't help
pull him on either. She ought to flirt with
young Jervis."
"Well, well, Jack; these things have a
wonderful knack of coming right when we
least expect. Anyhow, l can't see how our
talking half the night will improve matters.
It's a quarter past one; I'm of to bedn
So, after the master of the house had sat
isfied himself that all the fastenings were
secure for the night, the two fine old BROTH
ers strobe up stairs together, candlestick in
hand.
Jack, believe that window on the stairs
is open; 1 feel just like sneezing,n and the
gallant Colonel pulled out his handkerchief
and with it his pipe, which merrily gamboled
down two flights of stairs, and then, to
judge by the sound, shattered itself on the
hall stove.
MY old.meerschaum gone at last, Never
mind. hope no one trips up over the stem
TO morrow morning Good night, Jack.n
"Good-night"
Their bedrooms were both on the first
floor, and in half an hours time, as befts
healthy old gentlemen with clear con-
sciences, they were both fast asleep.
More than was Captain Henry Melville
who had been feverishly pacing his room
for the last hour, hardly knowing what he
thought Of or what he did. Promoted ont of
his turn for distinguished service. he was
the youngest Captain in her Maiestv,s 9
army, and.with his slight figure, clear skin.
and the very smallest attempt at a INNS.
tache, looked mere boy. Though no rela.
ton of the Allingfords, he had been known
to both brothers from his childhood. and
was now in the last week of long visit to
their house. Two months before he had
found that he was looking forward to this
visit with special impatience, though not
for one minute would he have admitted il
Now that it was nearly over there was no
concealing from himself that he was head
over ears in love with Nina Darlington. the
Baronets niece. But however brave he
was in the field of battle, Master Harry
in this affair showed g lamentable want of
courage.
Nina was heiress, while Harry's fortune
was all in chancery; that is to say, there
was no telling whether it was his fortune or
some body else's. He thought that to push
his suit would be to betray Sir Johns kind
ness. Who was he, penniless Captain in
a regiment Of foot, to marry Nina Darling
ton, heiress to one of the finest estates in
Englanda 1t had always been Joke in the
regiment that though Melville was .he
-'best fellow that ever stepped, /" he could
never be brought to think himself anv thing
but fool Even when he got his Y. C. il
did not seem to him that he had done any
thing particularly brave; he had done his
duty, and SO would any Of the other fel
lows. Hence, to such a modest tempera.
ment 1t seemed the height Of presumption
to hope that Nina would ever come to re-
ciprocate his affection, while that she did &C
already never occurred to him.
Poor fellow, he was really to be pitied; ths
last few days be had looked quite III, takins