The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-07-11


whom last she sat in church with Frank.
may have something TO do with her
chcerfuluess."
"Oh! yes. remember when she made
such a fool of herself, Wen, p'r'aps you
are right, for, indeed, il is natural She
should feel good over her boys splendid
luck 1t is not every widows son that
goes to tho war who comes back n
Colonel"
"Luolsl Franks luck, auutie! Do you
dare to call the reward OF heroic deeds
luclS?"
eyes, I do, child. So you needn't
snap my head of. Look at poor james
Lawson, who entered the army the
same day he did, and never rose beyond
the rank of private. But who is that
distinguished looking man shaking
hands with the Besants? just come by
train | shouldn't wonder, breaking the
Sabbath; but he's fine, handsome man
for all that Hurry, up, Grace, and Wen
get introduced.
But as the stranger joined the Besant
part Frank and his cousin fell back TO
the Miss Brentwoods, leaving Mrs.
Besaut to proceed to Walnut House with
their new companion.
"Who is your friend in the silk hat,
Frank?" Miss Ruth asked, in her abrupt
way, when they had shaken hands.
"Colonel Hopkins, Of Ours, Miss
Brentwood"
"Ohl what do you mean by 'OursP'"
"Why, Of our regiment. 1t is a way
we have of speaking"
care there two Colonols to a regi~
ment?"
"No; only one"
"Then, you are not Colonel after
alp"
eyes I am. He resigned in my favor
Just before we were mustered out
"Oh! he resigned, did he? What made
him 50 eager to sacrifice himself for
your interests?"
81 am sure do no not know" Frank
laughed, ''rnless it was to encourage
| merit"
But do young man; if he is the
person ] take him to be, and I'm not
quite sure, for l haven't seen him for
more than twenty wears; but if he is
know quite well why he dropped that
pretty plum into your mouth"
Would it be indiscreet to ask why,
since you are so well informed?"
"Ohl ask your ma. P'r'aps she'll tell
you and p'r'aps she won't"
! And with that parting shot Miss
Ruth started up path that led by a
near cut TO the parsonage and left the
young people to themselves,
81 am sorry aunt was so rude to you,
/ Frank" Grace began, in lame apology.
"Pshawl my dear, don't let that
worry you We all know and make al
lowances for Miss Ruth's eccentricities;
but do wish she wouldn't be so con-
foundedly enigmatical."
Then Kate Lester interposed.
'If you will accept me as the reader
of the riddle" she said with laugh,
that showed two rows of teeth like
pearls, II should say that Miss Brent
wood means to insinuate that you found
favor in Colonel Hopkins eyes because
you were your mothers SON"
"And why not? They were friends Of
long ago"
"Ah, why not?" and the young lady's
eyes cleaned with mischief
Meanwhile the Colonel and the widow
were vending their way towards Wal
nut House, side by side, utterly uncon-
scious of the remarks they had excited.
81 could not wait for your answer to
my letter, Mary" he was saying, when
they were quite out of ear-shot Of the
party, $50 I came on from Chicago by
the express last night to learn my fate. -
She never helped him by word, but
he saw that she was much agitated
81 am a plain, blunt man, unsllilled
In the art of eloquence to plead my suit,
but loved you before we married, and
l love you now. | know that am ask
ing a great sacrifice of you-you with
all the beauty of your youth retained,
and /, so old and battered-but would
make you happy as my wife. Ny love
for Frank, too, should plead with yor
in my favor"
"And, yet, it is for Franks sake
Jack, that l must say no to your re
quest Nay, do not think me hard anC
ungrateful for the honor you have done
me. You do not know how much tho
refusal costs me-"
Jack! She called him. as she used to do
by the old familiar name, He was toe
good a soldier TO retire before such al
ill-defendcd position as this.
"Then if the only obstacle to my sui
is your sons possible objection, maI
L"
She interrupted him, with the sam'
look on her face that he had seen there
nearly five-and-twenty years ago, wheI
he had asked the same question.
'No, once and for all, dear friend, /
can not be. Believe me have no
made up my mind to refuse the love o
a man Of your worth and true nobilit.
of character, without hours of painful
thought. You must take my answer a
final"
"Then, goodbye, Mary!" he said, 70
they had now reached the garden-gate
and without another word he left her
Half an hour later, Frank came in.
"Is dinner ready2 Where is Colone
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