The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-02-25

heavy veil, which, however, on the servants retiring, she threw back, and, holding out her hand, advanced with smile, saying
 'I am afraid, Colonel Punter, you will have forgotten me-"
 The colonel was quite equal to the occasion, and returned her greeting cordially, racking his brains, in the meantime, to think where he could have seen that beautiful, sad face be- fore. It was the face of woman of about thirty-fiv years of age, or per- haps little more, with dark hair and eyes, and an indefinable expression of mirth beneath it's sadness, indicating, as it seemed, lightness of heart which the troubles ot the world might have dimmed but could not obliter- ate. Observing, apparently, the colo nel's somewhat puzzled expression, she continued gayly:
 "I see that, as I expected, I shall have to help your memory. Don't you remember Miss Maud Mervyn when you were quartered at Dover more than twenty years ago? Why, Colonel Punter, you had just got your company then, and we used to dance together at the Dover balls"
 "Give me moment, Mrs. Verner," he replied "twenty years is long time for an old mans memory to go back in fash"
 "Now, don't deny it," continued she, laughing. "I see you don't remem- Der me, but am not at all offended, for, indeed, how should you? I was a slip of girl then, and you were, if you will allow me to say so, man of something about thirty. I, no doubt, was an infinitely insignificant person to you then, as, on the other hand, you were very important person to me. But, you see, am obliged to plead our old acquaintance, Colonel Punter, as it is my only excuse for the liberty I have taken in calling on you."
 "Excuse of any kind is quite unnec- essary," said the colonel with slight bow and smile.
 "It is very kind of you to say so," she replied; "and when you have heard my sad story I think you will give me the advice which have come to ask of you"
 eff it is subject on which I am at all qualified to speak," said he, "I shall be most happy"
 "I think it is decidedly your sub ject, Colonel Punter," she replied, "for it is about my son, who is in the army, that I wish to ask your advice" ."
 "Your son-in the armyp ex- claimed the colonel with an infection of voice that was decidedly compli- mentary to the youthfulness of her appearance. "May I ask his regi- ment2"
 "The Sixtieth Lancers."
 "The Sixtieth Lancers 1" repeated the colonel. "Why, Mrs. Werner, I know your son. His commanding officer is an old friend of mine, and I have a slight acquaintance with the whole regiment"
 "This is very singular and very lucky" said she. "As you know my poor boys regiment, think you will be better able to understand and ad- wise on the troubles and difficulties l am in regarding him. Will you let me tell you my sad story from the be- ginning, or shall I be boring you?"
 "Oh, pray don't think SO for mo- ment, Mrs. Verner," said the colonel {; and he would have liked to add, "Nothing you could say would bore me-" but he felt it would be unsuita- ble to the occasion.
 "Well," she continued with sigh, "my married life was a short and not a happy one. My husbands health was always bad, and for this reason we had to reside abroad. When we had been married two years my hus- band died and left me alone in the world with an infant boy" She paused and seemed lost for moment in sad memories, while the colonel glanced sympathetically at her, but thought it we'll to say nothing. "Well," she continued, "during the last twenty years have lived almost entirely abroad, but I sent my son to be educated at Eton, and about two years ago he obtained commission in the Sixtieth Lancers. Words cannot tell what comfort and joy my son has been to me during my lonely wid- owhood-I have been 80 proud of all his school triumphs, I have always been his confdante when he got into trouble. You sec, Colonel Punter, am sadly constrained to use the past tense, for am grieved to say that since he entered the army his manner to me has gradually changed, until now, when do see him, which is not often, he who used to be all frankness and love is all coldness and reserve and-and-if this goes on it will break my heart" Here she fairly gave way and covered her face with her hands. Colonel Punter's soft heart