Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-09
JACKS NIECE.


A cab drew up n front Of the officers quar-
tiers in Overbridge Barracks one cold Decem-
Der evening, and young lady leaned out of
the window and spoke 70 man standing near.
docs Capt. Kerr live here?' she asked.
eyes, miss" answered the man; land Tn
his servant But the captains at mess Just
now
'Oh. dear! how unfortunate. I suppose I
must come in and wait Please have my boxes
taken in and pay the cab"
This being done, Private Jones. looking some
what surprised notwithstanding his natural
stolidity. ushered the visitor into his masters
sitting-room. poked the fire, and said;
shall let the captain know you're here,
miss?'
When does he come back from mess, gen.
erally?"
He'll be back early tonight miss. for he
bid me keep up good fire, as he was coming
to write letters after dinner"
"Then will wait" And taking off gloves,
hat, and jacket, the girl drew a comfortable
looking arm chair near the fire and sat down
presently falling into gentle slumber the re-
suit, no doubt of the warmth after the cold ain
outside ~
When Jack Kerr RETURNED from mess. at a
comparatively early hour. he was surprised to
find the passage he shared with several brother
officers blocked up with trunks, and he Won
sibly belong to.
"whose are these, Jones p he asked, seeing
his servant standing near.
"The young lady's sir" And noticing his
masters inquiring look, added: 1.-The young
lady in your room. SIR"
THE ,chat? What do you mean? Young
lady in my room? What are you talking about?"
And without waiting for any answer, Capt.
Kerr pushed opend his door. and there p
He could scarcely believe his eyes, In front
of he MAJ, -, 1ofa ,nhx Nor brSxk
asleep in his armchair; two tiny feet in a
dainty pair Of buttoned boots reposed on the
fender, and altogether she had the air of being
thoroughly at home Jacks eyes opened, his
jaw fell, and all he could say was: Good
At this the sleeper awoke, and catching
sight Of the newcomer jumped up and ex-
claimed:
Here I am, Uncle Jack! Are you not sur
prised to see me?' Then, seeing his look of
blank astonishment, added I'm your niece,
Daisy, your sister Marys daughter"
my sister Mary's daughter!' repeated Jack,
still feeling very much at sea.
''Yes; mamma said she would write to you, but
l suppose she has not done so yet. She is
always putting off things.'
II have not heard from my sister for years."
said Jack, still looking bewidered.
mo. call it quite shameful the way
mamma has dropped out Of sight of all her
people, But, you see, papa has been such a
lea
American Why, it was to Australia Mary
went
"Oh, Uncle Jack, we've been in America for
years, and l certainly thought mamma had
written to you since then. / see shall have
to give you all the family history. Papa found
he could not get on well in Australia, and,
hearing Of an opening in California. we-that
Is he. mamma. the boys and me-all migrated
there. After that we stayed in several places:
berth in New York."
how did you find me?'
We'll, you see, l had never been in England a
and last year great friend of mine, Alice Lee,
married an Englishman, Mr.. Dene, and came
over. short time ago she wrote and begged
me to come and pay her visit, and after a
great deal of persuasion papa and mamma let
me do SO. Mr.. and Mrs. Carter were coming
In the Ocean Queen, and took charge of Inc on
the voyage. Alice was to meet me at Liver
pool. But when we got there l found letter
from her saying Mr.. Dene's father was dying
and they had been telegraphed for. So as they
could not meet me. was to go straight to Eel
than Park and stay till they returned. I Just
hated the idea of that and thought wouldn't
60 if could help it, While thinking what to
do happened TO see in newspaper that the
iftieth regiment was at Overbridge. and as 1
knew mamma's brother was in that regiment.
said to myself, III 60 and look up Uncle Jack
At first the Carriers rather objected and said 1
ought to go to Feltham and write to you from
there; but felt 1t would be such waste of
time and SO dreary in strange place alone, so
l came straight here. The Carriers had to pass
Overbridge on their way to London, and came
with them SO far. And here am, and l hope
you're glad to see me, Uncle Jack?'
Poor Jacks puzzled countenance certainly
did not express much Joy. 1t is rather trying
to have niece, whose existence has hitherto
been unknown to one, suddenly come up and
plant herself on ones hands in such sum-
mary fashion-very embarrassing to bachelor
officer living in quarters; and this Jack felt
most decidedly.
Daisy watched his face an,iously, and then
see me, Uncle Jack. Do you know you're ever
SO much younger and nicer looking than ex-
pected. and felt as soon as I saw you that I
should have happy time with you"
Good-natured Jack Kerr was not proof against
this piece of fattery from a very pretty girl,
whether she might chance to be his niece or no:
80 he smiled and said: "Well, you see, Daisy,
it's rather awkward, because, to tell the truth
don't know what to do with you. You can't
stay here"
"oh, why not, Uncle Jack9 1t would be such
fun"
impossible! Why, I've only two rooms,
and this is the bachelor officers quarters. No
lady could stay here. So we must think of
some place to take you to at once. It is very
late to go to a hotel, and don't like the idea
this is the FUNNIEST go!" Jack murmured rue
fully to himself, land don't know what to do"
He certainly looked the very picture Of en-
barrassment
Daisy also looked grave. 'Tm afraid I've
been very foolish, and am giving you no end of
trouble. Perhaps / ought not to have come?
Perhaps it was not the right thing to do. But
in America We have 80 much freedom, it never
struck me in that light / think had better
gooff to Feltham by the next train" And
Daisy looked inclined to cry.
Nonsense! Why, my dear child it is nearly
10 o'clock, and you can't travel about by your
self at night. But do wish you had tele-
graphed or something, and then should have
been ready with some PLAN
Isn't there anywhere can go tor" asked
Daisy, ,piteously. I'm so tired, Uncle Jack,
and SO hungry"
Hungry! Poor child! Well, can remedy
that" And Jack summoned Jones, and dis
patched that stolid worthy to the mess to order
a nice little supper-"cold chicken or some-I
thing OF that sort and small bottle Of cham
payne, as quickly as possible" %
Jack walked up and down the room, looking
much disturbed and racking his brains for
some plan as to what to do for this unexpected
guest; and Daisy sat by the fire, saying moth
ing. but with her brown eyes full of unshed
tears and sadly pitiful expression. She did
feel she had acted foolishly and impulsively
and was full Of remorse.
In very short time Jones returned with q
most dainty little supper on tray, and, setting
1t down on the table, asked: Ibid you find Q
note from Major Allarton, sir?'
"Allarton!" cried Jack; "that's it! Eat your
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