The National tribune., 1890-09-18
NATIONAL TRIBUNE WAsNGp0N c. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 49, 1890

| pay accounts. Some sCrOOkeuueSS III COminlS-
sary accounts. | don't know quite the straight
of it, but -
You don't know, the straight of it," de-
manded the young lady, opening her brown
eyes in astonishnent. "Wel, it occurs to me,
you are rather severe on mere hearsay evil
denCe." p
"As to that" reloirted her brother loftily,
time will tell, or course he is making big
row over his viltaicstion but you see, Sis
have you to think Of Cau't take chances on
your future. OF course i believe you have too
much sense to fall in love with an Army officer,
and drag ont existence ON the frontier; besides
with disagreeable augh--"he has red hair"
Is this what you call friondship2" asked
tho girl warmly, ignoring the personality of
| the remark. DO you mean to say you are 80
unfair and 80 unreliable friend in time of
need2"
1t occurs to me-" replied the brother with
penetrating look, " that you at least are dis
posed TO champion him; in fact Eva, it was
just this fear which has led mother and me TO
| to tako certain stand in the matter"
And" lifting her head proudly, "what ia
! the position you have taken to preserve my
| happinoss2" locking from one to the other in
surprised indignation. Your fears for me
seem to bc leading you to some remarkable con-
| Clusions"
"Ill take care of that" said her brother,
preparing to leave tho room; "but, Eva, mother
agrees with me in thinking 1t best for you to
discontinue this mans acquaintance"
Miss Bradbury only looked at him in sur
prise, tutoring in the Same surprised tone q
brief and wholly non-committal WELL"
Do as your brother suggests DEAR" added
Mrs. Bradbury gently but firmly. "a man
under cloud Is not n desirable admirer.
| Though he may DO innocent of real dishonesty,
or even of ungontlemanIy conduct, we cannot
afford to compromise you. There, lot us con-
sidor this matter ended; ended, / am glad to
| say, before it was serious with you"
This is so unlike you, mamma. You are
usually SO generous l could not feel like
| that"
You can at least respect our wishes in this
| matter, Eva, and not encourage any further
attention on his part"
scarcely think that Capt. Nixon will In
trude to tho extent you imagine If | am any
| Judge OF character, he is a man of too much
pride to insist upon courtesies not freely given"
So much the better for us" laughed tho
| young Doctor, scribbling something in his note
| book. Now, If you are ready to drop that
| follow, ! have a pleasant surprise for you.
| Harvey Anderson is in town-another old ad-
mirer, but ho is no end of fellow out in Col-
| orado; getting rich they say, in mines and
railroads. I've invited him to dinner; look
! your prettest. aud who knows but he may
reconsider aud --
Pray, when did this admiration for Ms.
Anderson develop If ! recollect you had no
special liking for him when he was here before"
"TImes change, and so do we" replied John,
| ir. Anderson is q successful man now"
But he could never trade off that trcacher-
oUs look in his eye no matter how much rail
| road and mining stock he might put up" adds
Miss Bradbury, with ready cyuicsm.
Lator IN the day, when tho declining after
noon sun flooded Pennsylvania avenue, and
that generous thorougharo was brilliant with
| the usual line Of pr0mcuaders and shoppers,
/ al in - no
| Of certain inconsequentiai tTinos. Foregoing
| the pleasure Of drive in the family carriage,
| she arrayed hersalf in a fetching street gown
aud joined tho pedestrians. She looked ex
ceedlng handsome Hor dark, bright face was
| cuuuiugly abcttod by big plume. burdenod
| hat, and az she daintily picked her way from
one point OF purchase TO another, the idlers on
! tho curb would turn TO admire aud comment.
| Except that her pace was slower. and that she
| occasionally glanced mp the Avenue in a visit
! ful sort Of way, she did nothing to distinguish
| herself from other women whose souls were
/ apparently absorbed in ribbons aud gloves. She
! continued the Avenue much longer than
! was her habit, aud II ono were inclined TO be
! hypercrtical 10 might have been suspected
| that she was hoping % sec someone. However
! that may have been, 10 Is a fact that when
! finally ookng in the direction Of the Capitol
she saw man coming around tho corner of tho
! Franklin monument. this singular young wom-
!
disposition to avoid the result.
Miss bradbury"
| capt Nixon"
| There was a minute of embarrassed silence,
| broken finally by tho girl, who had ct once
| held out her hand.
! " an glad 20 SEQ you" she said.
THANK you. Miss Evalyn" replied the ofi-
Ger. raising his hat with tho utmost humility
/ and gratitude. Turning % walk with her no
/ continued, This is the FIRST gcam Of comfort
| ! have had in week. / did not even know
! whether you would recognize mo. feared
! you, too, might believe that miserable story.
| OF course You know ~
"Ycs-that is know some sort of charge
! has been made against you. | am amazed
not, however" quickly, that any mau IS ac-
! cuscd OF any sort Of crime, but that his friends
| are 80 ready 90 think evil"
" Dear Miss Eyalyn," murmured the tall
! CANT fellow, who, regardless of propriety, do
| vourcd the girl with his eyes, since you
| believe me innocent care for nothing else
! "Capt. Nixon, certainly do not believe you
| guilty of any wrougdoing on IA mere vague
! runor. Even a woman can be more just than
| that"
Bless you," he said, tremulousy. "Thon
| you will Lot mo prove my innocence a8 well.
1t IS only question of time until the post
! cOmmandcr--
a. am not your judge Capt Nixon, inter
rupted tho girl coldly. But, seeing his quick
! look of despair, added more gently, " II you
have been wrongfully charged or uniustly con-
dcmncd, will bo very glad to see you place
| such proof before your hasty accusers. / do
not need the proofs. / believe in your honor
aud have taken tho first opportunity of telling
| you So"
If it were possible for man with red hair
! and high check bones TO look handsome, GER
| 1ainly for tho moment tho tall Army officer laid
cams to real beauty. His face was radiant.
You make me so happy" his voice was
really husky with feeling. " Nothing has been
so hard As tho thought OF losing your respect.
! had been unfortunate as tO-to love you
! without announcement, but did feel that |
| was at least worthy Of your friendship"
And so you are-tbat is" blushing. " / do
not condemn my friends tho gossip of q
! gentlemcn's club Il ladies' tea"
You are an angel"---
. must say good afternoon. Capt. Nixon. OF
course We viii not mect so often, but you will
know just how feel"
| Then i am 10 SEQ you no more2 This Is
| cruel. How, then am | TO explain ali this
when my answer comes from Fort LincolnY"
| "is that necessary" smilingly
| Justification IN your eyes is the only essen
tial, otherwise; | would not consider this cow
ardly attack made by Army officer | once
! had occasion to uumask. | must lay it all bo-
fore you. or be nsisarRbe."
| IOu ombarrass me-" laughingly. "I am
not your father c0ufeSsor."
NO" said the Iaan gravely, "but your trust
touches mo to humility. 30 generous farther,
u lat me- hat I : tI.