The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-07-30
fond pressure OF the hand was hia

darling mother. but has Colonel Hop
kins asked You To he his wife,"
Yes, Frank The answer was in a
tone scarce above whisper.
And You said?'
Il said No. Frank"
because Won did not love himo"
THAT is not fair question. You
really must content yourself with your
own love adventures. Frank. without
interfering with the indiscrctions OF
your elders"
She tried hard 10 get up light laugh,
but it was failure.
Mother. YOU must answer me-"
What shall say
1.-The truth
Now. suppose had told him Yes
what would Won have said?'
THAT You were lucky woman and /
happy man. Nh. mother. Won do not
know the real worth Of the man you've
turned away
.Oh. Frank
II say" he continued. holly. won
don't know what gentle, lovable.
pure. brave. honorable man he is-the
nobiest fellow ] ever met, except my
father
'.Iknow it. Frank" the widow sighed.
with such conviction that light dawncd
On her sons doubts.
.'Ah. you do love him. after all?'
well. pcrhaps--really Frank-yon
are ndious to-day-but ! will confess
that | think the Colonel
spare your bushes. mamsic.' Frank
cried. glecfullv. for am off To bring
him back And before She could in
terpose he was gone.
Mrs. BesaLt was in pretty state of
dismay at her sons impetuosity. She
declared to herself that she would start
for the Erentwoods at once and spend
the day with them: that if she did stop
at home it would only be because it
was her duty to preside at he- sons
table when he had guests: that she
would be barely civil to that horrid
Jack Hopkins. who had placed her in
such a ridiculous position, and then
she went to her mirror and decked her
self with bit OF ribbon of the color she
knew was loved best by that obnoxious
gentleman.
There was double wedding at Mel
tonburg, and didn't the tongues wag
when the gossips learned who the par
ties to the contracts We're? 1t was all
very well and to be expected that
Colonel Frank should we'd their village
beauty, but that Mrs. Bcsant should
have captivated handsome husband
with an enormous fortune, was news
that set every old maids and lone Wild
ow's heart fluttering with envy and
hope.
Colonel Hopkins insisted on Frank
taking the whole of his fathers fort
nne. and moreover built him hand
some residence. far larger and more
consequential than the Walnuts: where
he now resides with his growing fam
lily.
In the outskirts of the village James
Lawson's widow and son live in pref
ty cottage with his father. who is never
tired of talking of his boy Jim, who died
on the field of battle. defending the
Union flag. lie and Miss Ruth often
mingle their eulcgics of the Inflated
young mans career and say some very
sharp things concerning the ingratitudc
of his country. and Frank has never
dispclled their illusions. Even when
Jim's widow. some years later applied
for pension land got it, he mercifully
held his tongue.
Mark Henderson, of course, married
Kate Lester. and it was on the occasion
Of this wedding, which was held in
H. T.. l., 4
who was Mark best man.
Have you heard what has become Of
Charlie Fulton?' he asked, when as
Jack said. the couple had been turned
off, and they had leisure for personal
"reminiscences.
'.Oh. yes. he is married and gone into
embarrassing with Will jefferson"
Married. Not to Miss Lascellea,
surely?"
NO: she's breaking hearts in Paris,
with splendid chance of marrying a
Duke. They had her picture in the
London Graphic a few weeks ago"
And Charlie?'
married Doe Saunders eaughter,
a sweetly pretty little girl with a
fortune she inherited from her uncle"
And you. Jacl:"
''Oh. I'm the one man of all our
crowd who has had the courage to nail
his colors and refuse to yield to the
fair enemy. Now. Master Frank. have
You drawn prize or blank in love i
lottery-but. if the latter. poor beggar,
you would not dare to say SD, SO what ID
the good of asking?"
Il have drawn prize so rich and rare,
Jack. that | have no words to tell you
of its value
Jack smiled. He had heard young
married men say the same sort of thing
before.
And you are going into politics,
| hear?' he asked.
"ies, in a small way"
"Pshaw! Eesant, do not talk like that
why, man. You could not do things in q
small way if you tried
Jacks prophecy proved true. Ri,hes
and honor have been hcaped npoT
Frank in his civil career; but no dignit,
he has ever attained, no public favor
he has ever Won. no ambition he ha.
ever crowned with success, has giver
him one tithe Of the thrilling delight h,
felt the day they made him COLONEL
/ OF TIE E0TyR7N