The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-03-17


heard ramors about my son which make me
,hudder whenever think Of them. hear
that he has given himself out IN the regi-
ment a. the son Of rich people who live
abroad, and that he Is living In most extrava-
Eant style, whereas II is, in truth, with con-
siderable difficulty that his moderate allow
ance is regularly paid'
"Young scoundrclr' calculated the |
Colonel. Then remembering that o son |
must never be abused to his mother, added: |
~ beg your pardon, Mira. Werner, but for the |
my indignation got tho better OF
me. Besides, these reports are, perhaps, not
true. ] do not know the affairs OF the junior
Of the corps sufficiently well to be
able to give an opinion on the subject"
10, I quite understand that; but do tell
me what course I had better take,'' she said,
glancing appealingly at him. "How am !,
helpless woman, to find out whether these
dreadful reports are true or riotl 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
TO Aldershot 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 admit / don't
much like the detective part of the business,
but feel that it Is sacred duty to protect
a lady in your sad position"
10, how kind of you, Colonel Punterl"
she exclaimed. "This is more than 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
%6n trIl rxyin
whether what have heard is true or not,
and would, on your return to town, grant
me few words of advice as to what course
had better take, I should be very grateful"
~ shall be most happy, Mrs. Werner" said
he, briskly; ''but feel sure that you will
find that there Is nothing in it after all
Your son, as far rs 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, If
it is convenient to you 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 Aldershot the
next morning Colonel Plunter thought
good deal about his fair visitor Of the day
over, many hard words on the head of young
Werner (for, of course, he supposed him, at
any rate, partially guilty.. "Selfsh 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 O
charming woman tooI' And then he went
off into reverie, in the midst of which he
found himself speculating as to whether q
man of his age was absolutely and irrevoca-
bly, too old to marry without making HIM
self look like fool; and as the train arrived
| at Aldershot he had just come to the con-
clusion that there was good dealto 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 tt
Colonel Thompson, Werner was the son OF {
rich merchant in Singapore, and that his
people had not been III England tor many
years.
"Yes, thank you," said Colonel Punter
81 thought heard of his people in England
but suppose must be mistaken" and ther
he changed the subject He happened, how
ever, Just before mess Che was guest o.
the regiment that night), to meet Werner b.
himself, and he suddenly resolved, in spit
of the widows request, to say few word
to him. So stepping forward and address
ing the young man in u somewhat con
strained voice, he said: "Would you mint
taking turn with me- as there are few
things should like to speak to you about!'
''I shall be most happy, Colonel Punter,
said the young man, wondering what OF
earth the old boy had to say to him.
No sooner were they well out of earsho
than the Colonel turned short on his com
panion, and said sternly: ~ saw you
mother in town yesterday" (" and then pause
to watch the crushing effect Of his words
But no crushing effect was visible; on tn
contrary, Werner answered in accents Q
mild surprise:
, UYou must be thinking of some one else
sir; my mother is ut Singapore"
"No, am not thinking of anybody else,
said the Colonel, still more sterniy; an
. then added: $50 you are going to brazen
out, are youl"
ssBrazen what out9" said the young maj
apparently thoroughly puzzled.
"You know very we'll" said the Colonel
stand if you don't, you soon will" Then h
turned on his heel and walked of.
Young Werner stood for moment lool
ing after him; then walked away, laughin
: heartily.
At mess that night ne was heard to SO
toa brother officer: ''You know old Pur
i, ter, who's here to-nights"
u eyes, replied the other, 81 know hi
U pretty well. What about him!"
"He was in India good DEAL wasn't he1
"Yes. Wellf"
sDid he ever get touch Of the suna'
'tDare say he did; most people do OF
there"
swell, if he did, it has affected his brain
. !, poor old boy"
/ ssWhat on earth do you mcan!'
/ "Why, mean that the gallant Colon
may have his lucid intervals, but when
met me, just before mess, he was rs mad
g halter"
# SHOW madl"
d "Well he told me that he had mot u
mother yesterday in London"
"She's at Singapore, isn't shes"
ayes, and has been for the last TWEEN
IS years, and so told him."
% "What did he say to thatl"
ID "He said he saw was going to brazen
u out. said, 'Brazen out whatP and he
n torted, with u scowl, that would have frig
ened an elephant, that knew very we
(, Then he turned and walked Off. could I
le help laughing at the poor old follow at t
~ time, he was so desperately serious about
Id all. However, the sun may do the same
me some day, and really pity him, for h
" very good chap when he's all right"
~ 20, a capital fellow" replied the 9th
d, sand can tell very good story. It's rea
d. very sad suppose it must have been
ly touch of the sun, though never heard
VI ..~II 1,aps