, 1891-09-04
SOLD FOR A SILK RAG.

SOLD FOR A SILK RAG.
1t was New Years eve at one Of the
gay military stations of the Central
provinces, India. The ball, given by
the officers of the One Hundred and
Twenty-fourth was in full swing. The
large dining room of the mess bungalow
had been turned out and decorated as q
ballroom.
Supper was laid in a tent hard by, and
now, at l1:45, the guests were assembled
round the well supplied tables.
The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth
always did things well, but tonight they
surpassed themselves, for the general of
the division was present. He was a ia
vorite with them all, and they delighted
to do him honor. He very rarely gave
them the benefit of his company in holt
day time, but this was a special occasion
necessity had obliged him to make n
tour of inspection at this season.
isn't it rather rash of us choosing
this night of all others for keeping late
hoursr' whispered a pretty girl to her
partner, as she drew off her long white
gloves preparatory to tasting the savory
mock turtle.
at won't matter for once in a way
he replied; you need not get up till you
please"
Indeed And do you suppose for a
moment hat | could let our regiment
parade on New Years morning without
being present? You must have a poor
opinion of my esprit de corpsl OF course
| phnll uat nm Civ pin1n,L faptk s+yf'
"a quarter past"
The handsome young fellow by her
side looked down into her eyes, and
whispered something which brought the
color to her cheeks. His manner, too,
was suggestive of happy appropriation,
and a stranger would have guessed at
the existence of "A stronger bond between
the two thar friendship,
They were not engaged, though they
were both desperately in love with each
other.
Alasl the course of true love did not
run smooth in their case. a stern father
barred the road to bliss and caused poor
Aimee many heartaches and tears.
But Captain Hamilton was an auda-
cious lover. Such n triile as the opposi-
ton of II stern parent troubled his mind
but little. Truth to say, it rather added
to the zest of his courtship. Even at
this moment the eye of the unsympa-
thetic colonel was upon the young
couple with strong disapproval.
The murmur of voices round the sup
per table increased. Under the cover of
the noise Aimee said:
Il wish you wouldn't talk like that;
you know it is of no use"
81 know nothing of the sort" he re-
piled quickly. did you ever meet a
soldier who was frightened off the field
in love or war; Your father will not be
able to subdue me with a stare" y
He is looking SO annoyed"
My little darling you need not be so
alarmed. Eat a good supper and drink
your champagne, then you will be bet
ter prepared to listen to all have to say
tonight-and have a great deal to say"
he concluded impressively.
She gave him a quick, apprehensive
glance.
"Oh, George" she protested.
You heard the good news this morn
ing-that have got my step2 Here, try
some of this pate dc foie gras aspic; it
looks uncoInmonly good"
Ile utlptu IGI US no spOht. ne Was d
most self possessed man, this Captain
Hamilton-quite capable of making a
good supper and love at the same time.
Yes, | was told, and | am very glad.
| congratulate you. 1t will compensate
a little for your having left the regiment
to go into the staff corps. l wonder why
father hates the staff corps sol"
Because it robs him of his most prom
Using youngsters. How bitterly opposed
he was to my going; and all because he
thought that in the far, far distance l
might make a good adjutant to the regi-
ment. have been adjutant of the Fiji
tieth N. l. for the last two years, and
now | have got my step"
Yes; | suppose that in a pecuniary
way you have done WE'LL" and she sighed.
He lowered his voice and said impress
sively:
Aimee. | can afford to keep a wife
now"
But the girl looked distressed at his
words, and the suspicion of a tear
dimmed her eye.
'Oh, George, my father will never
give his consent. You know that he
never will"
He shall give his consent; intend to
make him. See If | don't, you poor
frightened little darlingi Do you think
stern fathers are never conquered? Only
you must have patience. Here, have
some more champagne, and some of this
trifie. There's nothing like n good meal
to build up ones courage. Hellol what
are they doing now? Oh, 10 o'clock, is
it? Silence for the G. o. and the
general"
Glasses were filed, speeches were
made and the gong tolled out the hour.
Then each turned to his neighbor and
good wishes were exchanged. The babel
Of voices recommended with the usher
ing in of the new year.
Very shortly afterward Captain Ham.
flton was plotting his companion from
the tent to a dimly lighted little ante
Dol There, wholly hidden by u larg,
Rrnup IF crotous. he had his say
Good Looks.