San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-30

LlIbie nOle preSenJaDle.
That's true; but Rama and l have al.
ready held a council Of war. Nv had my
eyes open, l can tell you. You see, l was
pretty sure all along how it would be, and
I've been looking about. Old Muncheriee
has a fair lot of kit, and, once the bungalow
is ready for it, it won't take long to put il
in. There's the drawing-room kit-that's
the rub. A round table, of course, for the
middle Of the room, a what-not for knick-
knacks and books, a writing-table for Nelly
herself, sofa, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
that's about all, l think, for the drawing
room. I've made a sort of rough list, but
the place won't look anything like what it
should until she has had a field-day at II
herself-has put the tables and chairs In
skirmishing order, driven back the heavy
furniture, and put to fight my most cherish.
ed articles. She will begin with an attack
upon the position of the big round tablets
size and weight won't daunt her-and the
unwieldy sofa, which is the only one old
Muncheriee has-see if she d~oesn't-and she
will end with ar apology for interfering
with all my beautiful arrangements; while
I simply do as I'm told and wonder at her
genius. Or perhaps she won't like to hurt
my feelings just at first, and will pretend
that she admires it all extremely; and all
the time she will be burning to lave a go at
it. Then the very first time I'm out Of the
way she'll get hold of Rama, and, when ]
come back, she'll meet me looking as limo
cent as possible"
By this time a broad smile spread over
Jim's good-looking sun bronzed face, while
his eyes, shining with happy anticipation,
stared into the glare beyond the veranda
He SCENE to lave forgotten the Colonel's
presence, and to be describing his little love.
lit picture unconsciously aloud.
The Colonel removed his pipe from his
| mouth with a smile full of meaning, then
| coughed.
Captain Blake's attention was forthwith
recalled to the present, and the reaction
ruf1ed him. He glanced fiercely at the Col.
onel, who was looking contemptuously at the
torn envelope on the back of which a meagre
list Of articles was scribbled. The wave
of his thick brown hand was comprehen.
sive.
This won't do at all" he said.
''What won't dol This is my Office kit, il
that is what you are referring to-"
stop a bitl Where are your curtains.
and carpets, and pretty chintzes to hide the
nakedness and dirt of Muncherjee's rub.
bishl And what about garden and flowers,
and whitewashing inside and out, and paint
ing window-frames, et-crterd-ehW
1.-The et-c1terd must go to the wall" said
Jim, GROSSLY.
"You mean the curtains, my dear fellow;
and you're right there" remarked the Col.
onel, smiling.
'There will be curtains, certainly-Nelly
was to bring them-at least, l hope she will
think Of it-and a carpet, Of course-only
one carpet, I've seen one at Muncheriee's
which is the very thing for the centre Of
the drawing-room. For the rest, the pres.
ent admirable mating must do. Nelly pre-.
fers mating; so dol. 1t is not costly, has
the merit of cleanliness, and shows up snakes
three cardinal virtues"
1.-The mating must be the China. This
palm stuff plays the deuce with ladies
dresses and cuts your feet to pieces. Be
sides, it looks rough and bad"
LAS we are not yet reduced to going
barefoot, we shall get along all right" re-
marked Jim, who had recovered his good
temper.
How about your wife's pretty gowns' II
will fray them in no time" persisted the
| Colonel.
Let her cut off the tails, then" retorte6
the husband. Joking apart, though, Col
onel, I'm sure | shall be able to make quite
a decent little place of it. am getting two
| hundred rupees for my polo pony from
Jones, of the police, who has been banker.
ing after it for a long time. The fact Is,
am much too heavy for the little animal, anC
l wouldn't have gone in for polo at all, only
things here are so w~retchedly slow in the
evenings. l sha'n't want it now that Nelly''
coming"
LUCKY dog! A wife in exchange for 6
polo pony!" remarked the Colonel, drily
Then he raised his bulky form with a groar
from the depths Of a long cane-chair, and
spoke in an eager business-like tone.
Look here, man-don't be in a hurry tc
part with that pony; he will carry your
wife like a bird. Or, if you do sell him, put
the bit of money away against a rainy day
The fact is"-here the Colonel coughed, col.
ored, and looked awkward and uncomforta-
ble-''the fact is" he repeated shyly, lever
since you told me you had written to your
wife 1 knew very well she was certain to
Soho, anu nave oeen turning IilhSS oNoi
in my mind. Myidea is this-why shouldn't
you two COM right into my bungalow Just
as it is9 My time will be up in a few
months, as you know, and in any case
must go; another hot season in this abomin
able country would about do for me. Now.
if you will take my place, you will find every
thing ship-shape, you will have neither
bother nor expense, and you will be doing
me a kindness into the bargain. You shall