Dodge City times., 1888-04-12

L L
that he has given himself out IN the regi-
ment as tie son Of rich people who live
abroad. and that he is living in most extrava-
CANT style, whereas it is, in truth. with con-
siderable difficulty that his moderate allow
ance is regularly paid"
"Young scoundrelr' CALCULATED che
Colonel. Then remembering that son
must never be abused to his mother, added:
~ beg your pardon, Mrs. Werner, but for the
moment my indignation got the better OF
me. Besides. these reports are, perhaps, not
true. do not know the affairs of the junior
members Of the corps sufficiently well to be
able to give an opinion on the subject"
80, l quite understand that; but do tell
me what course l had better take" she said,
glancing appealingly at him. How am l, a
helpless woman. to find out whether these
dreadful reports are true or not! And yet l
feel that must know the truth or go mad"
After pause, during which the Colonel
was evidently lost in thought he replied:
''Mrs. Werner, promised TO do the best l
could for you, and will. am going down
% Aldersnot in few days, and shall there
see Colonel Thompson; from him l will
ascertain what reputation for wealth your
son has in the regiment. l ad nit l don't
much like the detective part of The business,
but feel that it is a sacred duty to protect
"a lady in your sad position
30, how kind of you. Colonel Punter"
she exclaimed. This is more than l had
any right to expect that you would do for
me. But, o. let me beg of you not to expose
my son If these rumors should be true, and
let me implore you not to seek an interview
with him on the subject. If you learn from
the Colonel as you kindly say you will,
ylot1 T 60 Mt
and would, on your return to town, grant
me few words of advice as to what course
had better take, l should be very grateful"
81 snail be most happy, Mrs. Werner" said
he, briskly; but l feei sure that you will
find that there is nothing in it after all
Your son, as far as l know him is charm
ing young fellow, and quite incapable of the
frauds which these accusations impute to
him. So pray keep up your spirits, and, II
It is convenient 10 yoa, let Us arrange to
meet here at this time on this day week"
The time was quite convenient to Mrs.
Werner, and, with many apologies for the
liberty she had taken in calling to ask his
advice, she departed.
On his journey down to Allershot the
next morning Colonel Plunter thought a
good deal about his fair visitor of the day
before and her troubles He heaped, more
over, many hard words on the head of young
Werner for, of course, he supposed him, at
any rate, partially guilty.. Selfish young
rascals. all the lot of them!' said he to him
self; ''they don't mind straw how much
trouble they bring on their relations, if only
they can indulge themselves, and such
charming woman, too!' And then he went
off into reverie, in the midst of which he
found himself speculating as to whether
man of his age was absolutely and irrevoca-
bly, too old to marry without making him
self look like a fool; and as the train arrived
at Aldershot he had just come to the con-
clusiOn that there Was good deal to be said
on both sides.
That very evening he saw Colonel Thomp-
son, and in the course of conversation man
aged to ask his questions about young Yer
ner, and found out that, according to
Colonel Thompson, Werner was the son Of
rich merchant in Singapore, and that his
people had not been in England for many
years.
Eyes, thank you,'' said Colonel Punter
II thought heard of his people in England,
but suppose must be mistaken" and then
he changed the subject. He happened. how
ever, Just before mess Che was a guest of
the regiment that night, to meet Werner by
himself, and he suddenly resolved, in spite
of the widows request, to say few words
to him So stepping forward and address
ing the young man in a somewhat con-
strained voice, he said: ''Would you mind
taking a turn with me, as there are few
things should like to speak to you about"
81 shall be most happy, Colonel Punter,"
said the young man, wondering what on
earth the old boy had to say to him.
No sooner were they well out of earshot
than the Colonel turned short on his COM
panion, and said sternly: 81 saw your
mother in town yesterday and then paused
to watch the crushing effect OF his words.
But no crushing effect was visible: on the
contrary. Werner answered in accents of
mild surprise:
'sYou must be thinking of some one else,
sir; my mother is at Singapore
'No, l am not thinking of anybody else, .
said the Colonel still more sternly; and
then added: 80 you are going to brazen it
out, are youF'
"Brazen what out!" said the young man,
apparently thoroughly puzzled.
'sYou know very WE'LL said the Colonel;
''and if you don't, you soon Will" Then he
turned Oh his heel and walked off.
| Young Werner stood for a moment look
/ ing after him; then walked away, laughing
heartily.
At mess that night he vas heard to say
to brother officer: You know old Pun
ter. who's here tonight
''Yes, replied the other, Il know him
pretty well. What about him.n
"He was in India a good deal, wasn't hel"
"Yes. WellP
"Did he ever get touch of the sunr'
"Dare say he did; most people do out
there"
"Wen, if he did, it has affected his brain
poor old boy.''
ssWhat on earth do you meanl'
"Why, l mean that the gallant Colonel
may have his lucid intervals, but when he
met me, just before mess, he was as mad as
a halter"
"How madf'
"Wen he told me that he had mot my
mother yesterday in London"
''She's at Singapore, iSa't she"'
eyes, and has been for the last twenty
years, and 50 told him"
sWhat did he say to thatl''
"He said he saw was going to brazen il
out / said, .Brazen out wnat!' and he re-
torted, with a scowl. th-twould have fright
ened an elephant. that knew very well.
Then he turned and walked OF. 1 could not
help laughing at the p)Cr old fellow at the
time, he was so despera -e4y SCI ious aoo1t il
all However, the sun may do the same fol
me some day, and l really pity 'tim, for he s
very good chap when he's all ris;ht.''
20, capital feliow,'' replied the other
"and can tell a very good story. It's really
very sad. I suppose il must hare been {
touch Of the sun, though never heard o.
his being odd before"
HE seems al right noy. any way" sai(
Werner, looking UP the table where Colone