Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-12
A FREE-WILL OFFERING.

MAJOR BrOTn lay stretched out IN tiie IouS oas-
| ket-chair in the smoking room OF Sea view
Villa small fox-terrior slept, curled up into
firm ball on the rug. The majors feet were
placed at exactly the correct angle Tor securing
| the proper amount of warmth from the nre. An
open novel lay across his knee, and the fragrance
of most excellent tobacco rose from MS pipe.
Yet, in spite of these comfortable surroundings,
his face was somber and his brow heavy, and
| every now and then he sighed little and made
an uneasy movement.
1t was exactly six weeks since Major Brown
had touched his native shores after an eight
years sojourn in India. He felt that he fully
deserved his Through. Then. 1t was delightful
TO be in old England again; be would be able to
improve his health, impaired by hot climates
and fever; he would see old friends, visit Old
haunts. and above all renew that intercourse
with Miss Nette Drayton which had made life
/ so bright to him eight years before.
Sweet Nettie Drayton. the rectors daughter.
whom he had found buried in forgotten VII
lacei Broken visions of that time were passing
before him now. aud he seemed to see himself
once more the gay young fellow who mad woocd
and won her. They two were together beside
the quiet river, under the shadow OF the great
chestnut trees, and he was teaching Nettie how
to fish. The lowing Of the cattle was in his ears;
he felt the scent OF the new-cut grass and saw
the waving OF the meadow-sweet OIL the further
How young and fair and tender the girl looked
III her simple white frOck and broad hat. How
strong and proud he felt as he watched her and
Knew that she loved him. and vowed to her that
nothing. nor time. nor distance. nor fresh and
iairer faces, could move him in his love for her.
Aud then came the parting. the bitterness of
which had been broken by the assurance that,
In few years at most, they would meet again,
anu that then there would be no more partings
between Them but that their lives would flow
on together, quietly and blissfully as the peace
ful river at their feet.
Major Brown shifted uneasily in his chair, and
the fOX-terrier raised his head yaWned. and then
relapsed again into slumber.
How was 1t that impressions faded 80 quickly,
or was it the fault Of his own character? 1t
seemed to him now that the first splash of the
salt waves against the sides of the ship tn at bore
him away from home has washed away those
quiet country pictures. And then had come he
novelty and excitement of the Indian life; the
hunting expeditions. the threatened native mu
tnles, and the years had gllded on. Harry
Brown had soon won the character of being
good company, and this though very pleas
ant. he found expensive to keep up When the
tlme came. therefore. for his regiment to return
To England he had been only too glad to eX-
change, and this opportunity missed he had. at
last. almost ceased to long aud look forward TO
that happy reunion of which Nstte's letters still
spoke. 1et Ii was good to have some one to
Whom to tell all ones adventures and plans and
who sent one IN return long. regular letters by
every mail so saturat ed with the spirit of the
quiet home life that as one read them one almost
seemed to breathe the air of England again.
MAJOR Brown had not any near relations had no
one except Nettie t. flIl this place. And she had
filed it well and faithfully.
But eight years is a very long time.
IhOugh Nettle recognized him immediately,
she saw very different man. when Major Brown
landed at southampton. from the Young fellow
VINO na1 embarked eight years before. He vas
much thinner. and 10. ked even gaunt.
His face was tanned q deep brown and he had
brought away one or two scars from hand-to-
hand encounter with tiger. He was not by
any means handsome, but he was the sort OF a
man woman feels proud to walk with and
acknoW Ledge as her property. But Major Brown,
on his part, mad experienced kind of shock
when Nettie stepped cut Of the crowd to greet
and claim lin. Mas that little Nettie; Some
how he had not realized tina; eight years must
nave changed the girl he had left behind him.
And he had always thought Of her in that white
irock and shady hat. but IL was a chilly Novem-
Der day, and Miss DraytOn had very properly
muiiled herself in warm wraps. and drawn a
stylish and becoming veil over the features that
she could not but suspect had considerably
altered. Their meeting had therefore been uu-
elusive. and to Major Brown. on whose side it
was the Quietest. somewhat Disappointing
Nettie mad carried HIM that same day down TO
Bournemouth. where she and her mother he'd
settled since the decease Of her father the rec-
tor. They occupied large, weil-built villa on
the West Cliff, standing in small, fiat garden
plot The house commanded wide view over
the BOurnemouth bay and into the neighbornr
premises; advantages which. however the latter
shared in common with it. Gradually he had
Tetreated more and more into the privacy and
seciuslon OF the little smoking ROOM only leav-
ing It for hurried visits to the lending library at
the pier head. where he procured the sole
amusement BOurnemouth seemed to offer
Mrs. DTaytOn found her future son-in-iaw ex-
tremely uninterestng. She could not see what
Nettie found in him TO prefer to the manifest
attentions OF MI. Cross, the senior curate of
their parish church. The major spent his DAYS
in reading novels and smoking-a life which
no reasonable and responsible being should per-
NIT himself to lead.
Major Brown was startled from his reyerie by
hand being passed caressingly over his stubby
reddish hair. He jumped up almost impatiently
and turning, faced Nette. She was standing
at the back OF the basket chair, and his ewes
rested medltatively for some moments on the
small. trim figure, the thin, rather lined fac.
the pale hair. which had lost its sunny gold and
lay back smoothly from an unclOudeJ express
slon!ess forehead. She spoke in Q high but sweet
voice.
Harry, dear, don't you think it's time to 20
and get ready? 1t is 4 O'clock and we are ex-
pecting our friends every minute"
The major stretched himself, yawning. "Are
you. nv loyei"
HIS tone was ludicrously unlike lovers. and
more Ike that OF a man who has been placidly
married some twenty years. Then suppose
ought to go. But" with an attempt at jocu-
!arity to conceal his evident boredness, ''what
am to dos Am to put on dress clothesi"
Miss Drayton laughed. ''Silly boy!" The
major WINGED. mo. But / suppose you will
change your coat, won't you? You do smell so
horribly Of tobacco, and some ladies, you know.
object to it,
''Oh. hang it ALL" began the major, but seeing
Miss Drayton's greved look he broke off and
continued again in a resigned voice: ''Yes, yes.
my dear. I'll do it, of course. Just as you
like"
Miss Drayton did not seem to notice the subj
pressed irritablity OF his tone. She gave him a
grateful glance and then coming round to him
ON the hearthrug laid her hand gently on his
arm and looked up into his face.
Il don't bother you terribly do /, Harry?" she
asked, anXiOusiy. - could not bear to do that
But you know you have been SO long out of
ladies' society, and mamma and | have ALWAYS
been used mean" stammering rather help
lessly, 1--WE don't like-our friends don't"
The major flushed a little, but then laughed.
and took the opportunity to move away from
Miss Drayton.
NO, no. Nettie, you needn't be afraid 4" he
said. reassuringy; II won't put you TO shame.
I'll be on my best behavior. and swear that am
the llneal descendant Of-Aaron or whoever
else you like" Then stopping at the door and
looking back: And it's to be quite exciting, for
you've got some lions coming, haven't yOu?"
.NfE.