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

There was a ring of triumphant Joy Ia the
voice of the speaker, young man, who was
waving letter that was closely written
on flimsy paper before the eyes of his adj
vancing senior and looking quite ridiculous
ly happy.
Upon the grave and rugged face of the
stout old Colonel there was scarcely SMILE
but in his reply could be heard note OF
glad sympathy
''Well done! am delighted! I thought
] would just look in, as it is halliday, and
knew you expected to hear. She didn't take
long to make up her mind, I must say-frst-
rate, call it,"
seYou know what brick Nellyis Colonel.
left it entirely to her to decide; I only told
her was diving for her to come Still I
confess hadn't much doubt as to which way
it would be-"
tOnly told her you we've dying for her!
Poor little woman, I'm certain it has been
a nasty wrench leaving those BARNS OF hers
worse than having five teeth out. Five
children, aren't there's"
Eyes. five little ones. Poor Nelly, won
der how she bore the parting! Hope she
won't fret her heart out. It's wonderful
how fond they are of each other-Nelly and
her children"
'ePoor things, I'm sorry for them; they
will miss her sorely, Five of 'em-by Jove,
what a tearing up by the roots!"
81 almost wish now hadn't asked her to
come" Jim Blake murmured, with a peni-
tent, grieved look on his face, which pres
emily mingled quantity with one of tri-
umph, as he turned the pages of his Wife's
letter.
1t was amusing to watch him seeking for
the faintest HIT therein of dissatisfaction
not to say grief, on her part at the prospect
of Joining him in India, while all the time he
was secretly conscious that Nelly was pur.
posely presenting only one side of the medal
to his view.
"She doesn't seem to mind SO very much
said the husband, at length. The children
viii be happy enough; my sister is to look
after them. That is an old promise; and she
is devoted to them" se-~--'sr- y .-~~s"-
TIE vague uueasiness in Jim's voice sud-
denly smote the Colonel and reused him
from thinking of the pity of the whole affair
of a rifled nest where the young ones cried
in vain for the mother bird and resented the
unfamiliar touch Of other wings, however
gentle. 1t was just like HIM, he declared to
himself angrily; he could do no good, and
was only killing the new-found Joy of his
friend rso As6s ->s....ss4saNs >q"
''NoE7 look here, Blake, he said cheerily,
'if Mrs Blake is actually on her way OUT,
you have precious little time to lose. 1t will
require all you know to make this miserable
little hole presentable."
THAT'S true; but Rama and I have al
ready held a council of war. I've had my
eyes open, can tell you. You see, / was
pretty sure all along how it would be, and
I've been looking about Old Muncherjee
has fair lot of kit, and, once the bungalow
is ready for it, it won't take long to put it
in. There's the drawing-room kit-that's
the rub. A round table, of course, for the
middle of the room, what-nOt for knick-
knacks and books, writing table for Nelly
herself sofa, easy-chairs- -h'm-hm-
that's about all, 1 think, for the drawing
room. I've made sort of rough list, but
the place won't look anything like what it
should until she has had a feld-day at it
herself-has put the tables and chairs in
diminishing order, driven back the heavy
furniture and put to fight my most cherish
ed articles. She will begin with an attack
upon the position of the big round tablets
unwieldy sofa, which is the only one old
Muncherjee has-see if she doesn't-and she
will end with an apology for interfering
with all my beautiful arrangements; while
simply do as Pm told and wonder at her
genius. Or perhaps she won't like to hurt
my feelings just at first, and will pretend
that she admires it all extremely; and all
the time she will be burning to have go at
41ooy fret TslT7 0JIfO f
way she'll get hold of Rama, and, when ]
come back, she'll meet me looking as limo
cent as possible"
BY this time broad smile spread over
Jim's good-loOking sun bronzed face, while
his eyes, shining with happy anticipation,
stared into the glare beyond the veranda.
He seemed to have forgotten the COlonel's
presence, and to be describing his littlelOv
lit picture unconsciOusly aloud.
The Colonel removed his pipe from his
mouth with a smile full of meaning, then
coughed.
Captain Blake's attention was forthwith
recalled to the present, and the reaction
ruffled him. He glanced fiercely at the Col
onel, who was looking contemptuously at the
torn envelope on the back of which meagre
list of articles was scrubbed. The wave
VI 919 en1Sh O1ONn AoA4A was SVllpGGHGA
sive. nu
'Ihis won't do at all, =" he said.
'eWhat won't do9 This is my office kit, il
that is what you are referring to-"
'StOp bit! Where are your curtains.
and carpets, and rretty chintzes to hide thf
nakedn6ss and dirt of Muncherjee's rub
Dish? And what about garden and flowers,
and withdrawing inside and out, and paint
ing Window frames, et-cBterG-ehs"
1.-THE et-e0terQ must go to the wall" said
Jim, GROSSLY.
"You mean the curtains, my dear fellow;
and you're right there, remarked the Col.
onel, smiling.
"Tbere will be curtains, certainly-Nelly
was to bring them-at least, I hope she will
think of it-and carpet, of course-only
one carpet, I've seen one at Muncherjee's
wbich is the very thing for the centre o.
the drawing room. For the rest, the pres
emit admirable mating must do. Nelly pre-
fers mating; so do L 1t is not costly, has
the merit of cleanliness, and shows up snakes
three cardinal virtues"