The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-03-19

! from the depths of long cane-chaIr, ana
spoke in an eager business-like tone.
! 'Look here, man-don't be in a hurry to
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 rainy day.
The fact is"-here the Colonel coughed, col
ored, and looked awkward and uncomforta-
ble-"the fact is, he repeated shyly, sever
since you told me you had written to your
wife / knew very well she was certain to
come, and have been turning things over
in my mind. My idea is this-why shouldn't
you two come right into my bungalow Just
as it is! My time will be up in a few
months, as you know, and in any case l
must go; another hot season in this abom1n-
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
have it all to yourselves. I've reserved
the little bungalow in the compound for
my own use; and it is much more snag for
bachelor than my present big rambling
place"
''Really, Colonel, you are awfully kind!
But no, not is impossibleI You are much
too good"
'Confound it, man, you don't suppose
fatter myself that any miserable kindness
could do for you would be half what it
should be?" The Colonel was growing pur-
pie and hoarse with excited feeling "Do
ever forget Kandahar do you think? It
wasn't your fault that you didn't catch that
beastly smallpox What would your Nelly
have said to me if you had-eh? I remem-
Der her sweet face, her eyes full of tears,
her pretty lips trembling, that time we were
off to the front. You were looking after
the baggage-the row was deafening. She
would come and see you off-and, by Jove,
she behaved like brick! She put her two
hands on my arm. saying, You will look
after him, Colonel won't you!' And nice
way had of doing i'll Let you nurse me
single handed through malignant small
pox!"
''And jolly lucky you were to get 0e!"
Jim said laughingly, with an affectionate
look at his rugged old friend ''But I ran
no risk; I have never caught anything in my
life, except a Wigging from you! As you
know, fire and water, fevers, accidents, and
bullets have all been near me, but all of
them missed me, I'm not afraid"
"Don't make too sure, my boy! Any way,
you stuck to me; and, cross grained old chap
though I am, can't forget it. AS for your
wife, she and were always chums-ever
since her pinafore days, when her father
and 1 were friends. You will, I assure
you, be doing me the greatest of favors by
accepting this offer Of mine Just think it
over" .--~-.s.sss .s.,s 1884,,
Jim Blake walked the length Of the veran-
d. a thoughtful look on his handsome reSO-
Lutte face-he was loath to disappoint his
dear old friend; but, when he turned, the
Colonel saw at glance that his mind was
made up, and the expression on his own face
changed.
''You don't mind my saying exactly what
think, Colonel, know" Jim began, when
he had stationed himself, with his hands ip
his pockets, exactly in front of the Colonel
His thoughts must have been loving Ones
for Jim's honest gray eyes were filed with
a tender light and his voice was very gentle.
cit is this way. That plan Of yours would
be awfully jolly, and, whatever you may
say, can't thank you enough. But the
truth is, feel sure my little wife would
rather come to place Of our own, no matter
how small. I mean she will think such a lot
of anything do. She will be delighted
seem more like home to Nelly"
81 see," said the Colonel, dolefully; "Ican
do nothingl It's always the way whenever
1 try. It's something in my manner, sup
pose-some nasty"
ooh, say, don't!" cried Jim, in genuine
distress. ''You can do lots of things"
| The old man was unfurling his white um-
brella and preparing to dart forth into the
sunshine, look of childish wrath and dis
appointment on his red face; but Jim laid a
OBTAINING hand upon his arm
t'You can help us in heaps of ways. You
mentioned flowers just now. Why, if you
don'G come to the rescue, I shall be in a
difficulty over the garden 1t has all to
be made. Luckily, though, we have big
well in the compound and abundance of
water! The thing must be set going at
once!"
81 can stock the garden, if that's all, said
the old man, in grumbling tone.
"And chairs, continued Jim, serenely-
! ''chairs are not to be had at Muncherjee's
| for love or money-at least not the kind"
"You shall have piles of chairs Of all
shapes" said the Colonel, with returning
amiability.
/
pots You take your meals at mess, know
and dare say you have kit Of a sort doing
nothing. That would be something like a
help now-pots are so COMPOUNDED dear to
| buy"
j The Colonel frightened up considerably,
and, when he had been asked for few mora
concessions, was himself again. ThCn, af-
! ter assisting to plan the future garden
and devoting some little time to ways and
! means, he marched off, in measure con-
| Soled.
| Jim watched him as he proceeded along
the straight glaring road leading into the
camp, till the stout figure dwindled to mere
dot beneath the huge umbrella.
The doctor had strolled in, and, with a
frown, he stood beside his brother-offcer
watch the umbrella till it was out of sight.
''Poor old boy, I'm afraid he's seedy-he's
SO cOnfoundedly touchy" remarked Jim.
Rum old chap, but as good as gold! It's
about time he cleared out, Though should
not wonder if he hangs on for brigade. He
will hate handing over the reins. believe,