Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-03-21
HE CONQUERED HER.
PRETTY ROMANCE OF A NAUGHTY
BELLE AND AN ARMY OFFICER.

her said Fred Edgerly energetically.
Il won't take the wager. don't
want to rob you. Edgerly.
@You think you are proof against any
amount Of attractions after bearing as
sault and battery from West Point bellies
for five years and upward, Eigerly an
swered laughingly, as he glanced at the
handsome bronzed face of his friend,
as they drove over the high road leading
from Carmen Station to HurIton Top,
where the two men were expected to
join Mrs. Hurlton's gay party. But
you have not seen Miss Viner yet; when
you do prepare to surrender uncondi-
tionally."
you seem to forget that am not an
impressionable schoolboy," Lieutenant
Fleetweli answered, with a scornful
smile curling his lip under his heavy
nlustache. Il have seen hundreds of
women bandsomer and more charming
than Miss Viner, dare say, and have
escaped heart whole, fortunately" he
added, with sarcastic curl Of the
lip, which escaped his friends notice.
Fortunately and why fortunately
Surely when a man is good looking
wealthy, and in the army he ought to
marry and give hostages to fortune.
Perhaps he ought, if he can, said
Lieutenant Fletwell carelessly.
~1f he cant That can't apply to you,
Feetwell. There is hardly woman in
tive hundred who would refuse you"
SIS there not9 WhyT"
Because you are rich and handsome,
in the army, and-and eligible.
Excellent reasons for q woman to
marry me, said Lieutenant Fleetwell
trifie bitterly, -and equally excellent
ones to keep me from matrimony," he
added, as they turned in at the park
gates and drove up the avenue leading
60 the old Hurlton mansion. 1t was a
fine day, toward the latter part of Sep
tember, bright and cheerful and sun
shiny, and the grand, stately old brown
stone building was, looking its best in
the haze of golden sunlight
1t was upward Of five years since
Lieutenant Fleetwell had seen his
cousins stately old mansion, and his
handsome dark eyes frightened as they
dwelt upon it. and frightened yet more
as they fell upon lady in a picturesque
tea gown who came out on the wide
stone steps with her eager hands out
stretched and her dark eyes aglow with
pleasure.
"My dear Jerome, how glad am,
she said, as Lieutenant Fleetwell took
the little hands in his, and bending,
kissed them with graceful, Old World
courtesy which was pleasant to see.
Frank is fishing, of course, but he will
be back early. What an age it is since
we metl"
at is a long time indeed, Jerome an
swered in his low, rich voice. but look
ing at you, Florence, l am inclined to
think that it is five months, and not five
years, which have elapsed since went
to West Point 81.
"Wait till you see my boys, she said,
laughing, as she turned to greet the
young collegian with pleasant, cordial
courtesy and the two gentlemen
followed her into the hall. a stately
apartment in keeping with the exterior
Of the mansion. Most of my lady
guests have driven over to Bamby's
Head, Mra Hurlton said, as she led the
way across the marble pavement to-
ward one of the many doors which
opened into the hall. Miss Viner and I
are alone. Mr.. Edgerly, / have good
news for you, Miss Dusan is coming to-
MORROW"
AS she spoke she pushed open door
leading into pretty, dainty, rather
estIetic locking room, where tea was
waiting, and which at first seemed to be
unoccupied, but as the door opened q
lady who was standing by the open
window turned slowly around and came
toward them, holding out her hand to
Mr.. Edgerly with a smile. which did not
blind him to the sudden gleam Of intense,
eager admiration which flashed into
Lieutenant FIeetwell's eyes as they
rested upon her face.
She was very beautiful; there could
hardly be two opinions upon that point
She was small, though queenlike, and
her dress Of some soft, cream colored
material, which fell around her in soft
folds, showed the beauty of a figure
which was nothing less than perfect.
Lieutenant Fleetwell-Niss Viner, /"
said Mrs Hurlton quietly, and Miss
Viner bowed slightly, while the faintest
tinge of pink rose in her fair face as she
met Lieutenant Fieetwell's eager, dark,
admiring eyes.
Hurlton Top was one of the very
pleasantest houses in the county to stay
al, for the hostess exercised the greatest
discretion and Judgment in the choice Of
her guests, and spared no pains to make
their visit an enjoyable one. Mira Hurl-
ton Was. like many another happy wife,
matchmaker at heart
Il very soon became apparent to some
OF her lady visitors that their pretty
hostess had designs against the peace Of
mind of her husbands cousin. and Fred
Edgerly smiled to himself as he saw how