St. Landry democrat., 1888-09-01
'sIOOk here. Rnrtie." he said one

in his quarters. The whole place is
poking fun at you for flirting with that
little girl at the ~post-Otfice. What do
you really mean to do?'
"Mean to do? Why, marry her, of
course replied he.
'Well, my bOy,' said Flukcr,
gravely, I'm some years your senior,
and my advice to you is, break the en-
gagement before it goes too far.0
Il certainly shan't do that ex-
claimed the younger man; neither do
see any reason why you should inter-
fere with my private affairs, even if
you were my great-grandfather."
"Forgive me. | advise you for the
best. What would His Lordship say tc
such a mesa1li0nce?"
MY father has nothing whatever to
do with the matter. | love her, and
by Jove, I'll marry her in spite of
every thing"
Very we'll, replied Fluker, putting
vigorously at his cigar; but remem-
Der, | have given you my advice
And the subject was allowed to drop.
The banns had been duly published
between Hugh Fluker, bachelor, and
Prudence Grimes, spinster, and no OBJ
lection was made, although the parsOn
requested all who might see any i'm
pedient to come forward and declare it.
One evening, OotingtOn went down
to meet Ethel; but found, to his aston
ishment, that she had gone out half an
hour earlier than usual She had dis
tinctly told him to meet her at eight
o'clock, and yet she did not keep her
appointment. Could she be playing
him false, after all? The green-eyed
monster rose within him, and he re-
solved to watch for her return. He had
waited for nearly two hours in the
shadow on the opposite side of the
street, when he saw two figures APP
preaching. AS they came nearer, he
recognized his fancee and Fluker! His
first impulse was to rush across the
road and confront them, but on a
moments reflection, he remained con-
cealed. He saw Fluker speaking to
her very earnestly, then he kissed her,
shook hands, and she let herself in
with a latchkey, whilst her companion
strobe away in the direction of the
barracks. The Honorable BERTHE NUT
tered a curse, and soon overlook his
rival. ''Now, Fluker,' stammered he,
white with dismay and fury, what do
you mean by daring to take Miss Els
worthy for a walk? I understand now
why you were so anxious | should give
her up. You wanted her yourself"
The man addressed turned coolly
round and said: II have advised you
to have nothing more to do with her,
and fancy you'll find I'm right after
all. But it's no use getting out of
temper over it; so goodnight" And
he walked away.
The young Lieutenant, boiling over
with Indignation, turned on his heel,
and muttering a savage threat, re-
traced his steps.
Next morning the gossips of Blank
ford had a titbit of scandal to relate,
for Ethel Ellsworthy had eloped with
Captain Fluker. They had taken the
early morning train to London.
When the news was broken to Miss
Prudence, she had a fit of Mysteries
straight away; but she quickly recov-
cred, and almost speechless with in
dignation, she cried: The monster!
the swindler! He has robbed me OF
my heart and swindled me out of my
money. Oh. what a fool / was to part
with that thousand pounds! But I'll
bring an action for breach of promise,
that | WILL
Eyes, to think that he should have
lowered himself to run away with that
mink only three days before his mar
riage, said her sister. Long ago, |
told you, Prudence, that these military
men are all deceivers.'
s'And well | know it, moaned Miss
Prudence.
'Oh, to think he should leave me in
this Manner
Later hat day, she went down to
the local bank in the hope of recover
ing some of the money she had given
him, but found to her dismay, that On
the previous day it had all been drawn
out. So she returned to Yew Cottage
in a most unhappy frame of mind.
On the evening of the day previous
to that fixed for the wedding, Hugh
Fluker returned to Blankford alone,
and at once sought his bride. He
knocked, and was admitted to the
drawing-room to await her.
In a few minutes she appeared. Her
face wore an u~nutterable look of dis
gust, and she drew herself up to her
full height as she said: Captain
Fluker, l consider it the greatest pre-
sumption on your part to come here
after your scandalous conduct"
"Scandalous conduct" he exclaimed,
in amazement. I'm at a loss to I'M
derstand what you mean, my dear"
Don't address me in that manner.
sir. Do you think / am not fully
aware of your journey to London, and
Of your, your-companionP"
Yes, that is true. I have been to
London upon some business connected
with our marriage; but as for my COM
marion 7 don't think Won, naod bouo