The Florida agriculturist., 1889-11-06


helplessly abandoning the idea, he
plunged down the short flight of steps,
hurried out of the gate and disappeared
around the fence corner in the direction
Of the hospital. Immersed in his paper,
che colonel never seemed to note that he
had gone; neither did he note the fact
that two ladies were coming down the
walk.
The soft swish of trailing skirt being
insufficient to attract his attention as
they arrived nearly opposite the shaded
veranda, silvery peal of laughter broke
the stiffness of the early evening. Mrs.
Belknap's laugh was delicious-soft, me-
lodious, ripping as canary song, and
just as spontaneous Neither lady had
said anything at the moment that was
incentive of merriment: but if Mrs. Law
renee had given utterance to the quaint
est, oldest, most whimsical conceit i'm
aginable, Mrs. Belknap's laugh could not
have been more ready, and her great,
dark eyes shot sidelong glance to note
the effect. Down went the paper, and
up, with considerable propping from his
muscular arms, came the burly form of
the post commander Two sweet, smil-
ing faces beamed upon him through an
aperture in the leafy screen, and Mrs.
Belknap's silvery voice hailed him in
laughing salutation:
did we spoil your siesta colonel?
How can make amends? You see, you
were so hidden by the vines that no one
would dream of your being there in am
BUSH"
"Oh, indeed, assure you l wasn't
asleep" answered the colonel, hastily.
won't you come in, ladies, and sit
here in the shade awhile?"
eve thought we would stroll around
until parade said Mrs. Lawrence, hesi-
tatingly. land then sit down and watch
it somewhere.
'No place better than this, promptly
answered the colonel "You can sit be-
hind the vines on that side and see, or,
what we would infinitely prefer, sit here
at the entrance and be SEEN Meantime,
I've been unpacking some photograph
albums this afternoon, and you can
amuse yourselves with those while put
on my harness. Conner
The colonels collection of photographs
was something the ladies had already
heard great deal Of One of the most
genial and popular officers of the army,
he had gathered together several large
albums full of pictures of prominent men
and attractive and distinguished women
not only those with whom he had been
associated in his long years of service,
but men eminent in national and state
affairs, and women leaders in society in
many gay metropolis
Both the ladies had hoped to see this
famous collection the evening before, but
the colonel had not then unpacked the
albums, and they were disappointed.
Now. however, the prospect was indeed
alluring, and neither could resist When
the first call sounded for parade few
moments after, and the commanding
officer was getting himself into his full
dress uniform, the two pretty heads were
close together. and two pairs of very
lovely eyes-one dark and deep and dan
gerous, the other clear and honest gray
were dilating over page after page OF
photographed beauty There was no
need to puzzle over the identity of the
originals; under each picture the thought
full colonel had carefully written the
name and address Absorbed in this
treat. they could barely afford time to
look up and smile their thanks as the
colonel passed, clanking forth at tho
sounding of adiutants call and were too