Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-12-18
THE LAST PARADE.

oAC ACTUALLY OA AOl way Ouu'
There was ring of triumphant Joy in the
voice of the speaker, young man, who was
waving letter that was closely written
on f1insy paper before the eyes of his adj
vancing senior and looking quite ridiculous
ly happy.
Upon the grave and rugged face of the
stout old Colonel there was scarcely smile.
but in his reply could be heard a note Of
glad sympathy.
''Well donel am delighted I thought
would just look in, as it is mail-day, and ]
knew you expected to hear She didn't take
long to make up her mind I must say-frstr
rate, I call i'll"
s'You know what brick Nelly is, Colonel.
I left it entirely to her to decide; only tol0
her I was dying for her to come Still /
confess hadn't much doubt as to which way
it would be-"
'Only told her you were dying for her
Poor little woman, I'm certain it has beer
nasty wrench leaving those BARNS of hers
worse than having five teeth out. Five
children, aren't there?"
eyes, five little ones. Poor Nelly, won.
der how she bore the parting? Hope she
won't fret her heart out. It's wonderful
how fond they are of each other-Nelly and
her children"
"Poor things, I'm sorry for them; they
will miss her sorely, Five of 'em-by Jove
what tearing up by the roots!"
81 almost wish now I hadn't asked her to
come" Jim Blake murmured, with a peni-
tent, grieved look on his face, which pres
emily mingled quantity with one Of tri
umph, as he turned the pages of his wife's
letter.
1t was amusing to watch him seeking foI
the faintest hint therein of dissatisfaction
not to say grief, on her part at the prospec'
of joining him in India, while all the time he
was secretly conscious that Nelly was pur
posely presenting only one side of the media,
to his view.
'She doesn't seem to mind so very much
SAID the husband, at length. The childre.
will be happy enough; my sister is to lool
after them. That is an old promise; and she
is devoted to them"
The vague uueasiness in Jims voice sud
denly smote the Colonel and reused him
from thinking of the pity of the whole attain
of a rifed nest where the young ones cried
in vain for the mother-bird and resented the
unfamiliar touch of other wings, however
gentle. 1t was just like him, he declared tc
himself angrily; he could do no good, anG
friend.
''Now look here, Blake, he said cheerily,
''if Mrs. Blake is actually on her way out,
you have precious little time to lose. 1t will
require all you know to make this miserable
little hole preSentable"
''That's true; but Rama and I have al.
ready held council of war I've had my
eyes open, I can tell you. You see, I was
pretty sure all along how it would be- and
pve been looking about Old Muncheriee
has 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, What-not for knick-
knackS and books, a Writing-table for Nelly
herself, sofa easy-chairs- hm-h'm-h'm-
that's about all, | think, for the drawing,
room. I've made sort of rough list, but
the place won't look anything like what it
should until she has had a feld-day at it
herSelf-haS put the tables and chairs in
sklrmlshing ORDER driven back the heavy
furniture, and put to flight 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
unWleldy sofa, which is the only one old
Munchorjee haS-see if she dOesn't-and she
will end with an apology for interfering
with all my beautiful arrangements; while
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 have a go at
it Then the very first time I'm out of the
way she'll get hold of Rama, and, when I
come back, she'll meet me looking as limo
cent as possible"
By this time broad smile spread over
Jims gOod-looling sun-bronzed face while
his eyes, shining with happy anticipation
stared into the glare beyond the veranda.
He seemed to have forgotten the Colonels
presence, and to be describing his little love
lit picture unconsciously aloud.
The Colonel removed his pipe from his
mouth with smile full of meaning then
couGhed
Captain BlakG's attention was forthwith
recalled to the present, and the reaction
rufiled him. He glanced fiercely at the Col
onel, who was looking contemptuously at the
torn envelope on the back of which meagre
list of articles was scrubbed. The wave
of his thick brown hand was comprehen-
sive.
This won't do at all, )" he said.
''What won't do? This is my office kit if
that is what you are referring to-"
Stop bit! Where are your curtains
and carpets, and pretty chintzes to hide the
nakedness and dirt of Muncherjee's rub
bish? And what about garden and flowers,
and whiteWashing inside and out, and paint
ing windOw-frames, et-c1tcrd-eh?"
1.-The et-cgterd must go to the WALL" said
Jim, GROSSLY.
you mean the curtains, my dear fellow;
aud you're right there" remarked the Col
onel, smiling.
''There will be curtains, certainly-Nelly
was to bring them-at least hope she will
think of it-and a carpet, of course-only
one carpet. I've seen one at Muncherjee's
which is the very thing for the centre OF
the drawing-room. For the rest, the pres
emit admirable mating must do. Nelly pre-
fers mating; so do |. 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 wifes pretty gowns? It
will fray them in no time" persisted the
Colonel
Let her cut off the tails, then" retorted
the husband. Joking apart, though, Col
onel, I'm sure I shall be able to make quite
decent little place of it. | am getting two
hundred rupees for my polo pony from
Jones' of the police, who has been banker
Eyrr r+o,, f1 bn OF &c