The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-03-22


shEdder whenever think of them l hea
that he has given himself out IN the regi
ment as the son of rich people who hv'
abroad, and that he is living in most extraya
CANT style, whereas It is, in truth, with con
siderable difficulty that his moderate allow
ance is regularly paid"
''Young scoundrelr' CALCULATED chs
Colonel Then remembering that sol
must never be abused to his mother, added
II beg your pardon, Mrs Werner, but for thu
moment my Indignation got the better o.
me. Besides, these reports are, perhaps, no
true. do not know the affairs of the junior
members Of the corps sufficiently well to b
able to give an opinion on the subject"
20, quite understand that; but do tel
me what course had better take, p" she said
glancing appealingly at him. 'How am L, ;
helpless woman, to find out whether thes'
dreadful reports are true or not! And yet
feel that 1 must know the truth or so mad. ,
After pause, during which the Colone
was evidently lost in thought, he replied
''Mrs. Werner, promised to do the best
could for you, and viii. am going down
20 Aldershot in few days, and l shall there
see Colonel Thompson; from him l viii
ascertain what reputation for wealth your
son has in the regiment. l admit l don't
much ike the detective part of the business
but feel that it is a sacred duty to protect
a lady in your sad position
80, how kind of you, Colonel Punterr'
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,
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
l had better take. should be very grateful -
81 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 as 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
IlcAb NOlOucl
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, allthe lot of themi" 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 a
charming woman, tOOr' And then he went
off into a reverie in the midst of which he
found himself specializing as to whether a
man of his age was absolutely and irrevoca-
bly, too Old to marry without making him
self look ike fool; and as the train arrived
at Aldershot he had just come to the con-
clusion that there was a 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 a
rich merchant in Singapore, and that his
people had not been in England for many
years.
Yes, 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 l should like to speak to you about!'
Il 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" ana 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:
You must DE thinking OF some one else,
sir; my mother is at Singapore
mo, am not thinking of anybody else,''
said the Colonel, still more sternly; and
then added: so you are going to brazen it
out, are you?"
"Brazen what out?' said the young man,
apparently thoroughly puzzled.
You know very WELL" said the Colonel;
''a1d if you don't, you soon Will" Then he
turned on his heel and walked off.
Young Werner stood for moment look
ing after him; then walked away, laughing
heartily.
At mess that night he was heard to say
to a brother officer: you know old Pun
ter, who's here to-nignt!''
Yes, replied the other, II know him
pretty well. What about hiIn?''
''He was in India good deal, wasn't he!"
YES. Weu.''
'Did he ever get a touch of the sunl'
'Dare say he did; most people do out
there"
''Well, if he did, it has affected his brain
poor old boyr'
what on earth do you mcanm
'Why, mean that the gallant Colonel
may have his lucid intervals, but when he
met me, just before mess, he was as mad as
hatter'
How mair'
''Well he told me that he had met my
mother yesterday in London
''She's at Singapore, isn't she!''
Eyes, and has been fer the last twenty
years, and 50 told him"
"What did he say to thatl''
HE said he saw was going to brazen it
out. | said, 'Brazen out WHAT and he re-
torted, with a scowl, tina. would have fright
ened an elephant, that knew very well
Then he turned and walked of 1 could not
help laughing at the poor old fellow at the
time, he was so desperately serious about it
all However, the sun may do the same for
me some day, and really pity him, for hes
very good chap when he's all right"
20, a capital fellow" replied the other,
land can tell a very good story. It's really
very sad. l suppose it must have been a
touch of the sun, though never heard of
his being odd BEFORE
He seems all right now, any way" said
Werner, looking up the table where Colonel