The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-08-01

GIyssW
Miss Mabel says please crcuse pcnct
In the three days that followed tn
transfer of funds and property at the re
cruiting rendezvous took place, and Mr.
Noel stepped in, vice Lane, relieved ant
ordered to join his regiment. The for
,ner was having delightful time. A
guest of the wealthy Witherses could no
long be stranger within their gates tt
the Queen citizens, and every Afternoon
and evening found him enjoying hospi
talities of the most cordial character. Al
the club he had already become hail -fel
low with all the younger element. anG
had made himself decidedly popular
among the elders, and every man who
had not met that jolly Capt. Noel was
eager to be presented to him. He was
ready for pool, billiards, bowling or a
drink the moment he got within the state
ly doorway; and, as he sang, whistled,
laughed, chatted and cracked innumera-
bic jokes during the various games, was
acapital mimic, and could personate Pat,
Hans or Crapaud with telling effect, his
presence was pronounced by every one
as better than a solid week of sunshine
something the Queen City rarely, if
ever, experienced.
Poor Lane, on the contrary, was near
ly worrying his heart out. He had gone
to the Vincents' the very evening on
which he had seen the father of the
family off for New York, and had
nerved himself to put his fortune to the
test-to tell her of his deep and devoted
love and to ask her to be his wife. That
she well knew he loved her, without
being told, he felt sure must be the case;
but, beyond belief that she liked and
trusted him, the captain had not the
faintest idea as to the nature of her feel
ings towards him. He was a modest
fellow, as has been said. His glass told
him that, despite pair of clear gray
eyes and decidedly soldierly cut to his
features, he was not what women called
a handsome man; and, what was more,
there were little strands of gray just be-
ginning to show about his broad fore
head and in the heavy moustache that
shaded his mouth. Lane sighed as he
remembered that he was in his Seth year.
How could she care for him-fifteen
years her senior? Lane rang the door
bell that night and felt once more that
his heart was beating even as it did at
o'clock when he was ushered into the
awful presence of her father.
"Miss Vincent has not left her room
today, and is not well enough to come
down tonight, sir" said the servant who
came to the door, land Mrs. Vincent
begged to be excused because of Miss
Mabel's needing her."
I'll am very, very sorry" stammered
The captain. please say that Mr.. Lane
;alled'' they had known him so well for
'wo months as Mr.. Lane that he could |
lot yet refer to himself by his new title), |
'and-and would call again tomorrow,
loping to hear Miss Vincent was much |
better"
And then, detected and miserable, and |
ret with something akin to the feeling
me experiences when going to dentists |
% have tooth drawn and the dreaded |
yielder of the forceps proves to be away,
lane retreated down the broad stone
teps until he reached the walk, gazed |
Up at the dim light in the window which
10 thought might be hers, mathematical |
himself for his lack of self possession in
lot having asked whether there wasn't
he could bring her-some-
hing she would hke-for the simple
learted fellow would have tramped all
light all over town to find and fetch it
nd then happy thought occurred to
i'm: "Women always love flowers" He
an to the next street, boarded west
'ound car, and was soon far down town
t his favorite florists.
"Give me big box of cut flowers
no handsomest you have,' he said; and
vhile they were being prepared he wrote
few lines on a card, tore it up, tried
gain on another, and similarly reduced
nat to fragments, and finally, though
sr from content, limited the expression
his emotions to the simple words:
"Do get well by Saturday at latest. I
annot go without seeing you. F. L."
"Where shall we send them, STRIP ask
the florist, as he came forward with
no box in his hand
"Never mind; I'll take it myself" was
10 answer, as the captain popped in the
tile missive.
And when he got back to the house the
ght was still burning in the window in
10 second story, and the doctor had just
It, said the sympathetic Abigail, and
vi saidit was nothing serious or alarm
g; Miss Mabel would have to keep quiet !
day Or two; that was all.
But what hard luck for poor Lane,
hen the days of his stay were so very
WI All Thursday morning was spent
the rendezvous, counting over prop |
ty and comparing papers with Noel. q
nen, while that gentleman went to the
NIB for luncheon the captain fastened
the vincents door to renew inquiries, Z