Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-03-24
The Col. Of the Fourth
A Story Of the Late War.
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for Frank, too, should plead with you
in my favor"
and. yet, it is for Franks sake,
Jack, that I must say no to your re-
quest. hay, do not I ink ME hard and
ungrateful for the no, or you have done
me. You do not know how much the
refusal costs me-"
Jack! She called hin /, as sheused to do,
by the old familiar n, me. He was too
good n soldier to retirs before such an
ill-defended position this.
"Then If the only o ,stacle to my suit
is your sons possib.s objection, may
She interrupted hin, with the same
look on her face that he had seen there
nearly hve-and-twent.T years ago, when
he had asked the sam question.
"No, once and for Ill, dear friend, it
can not be. Bellows me I have not
made up my mind to .'efuse the love of
o man of your worth and true nobility
of character, without hours of painful
thought. You must take my answer as
final"
"Then, goodbye, Maryl" he said, for
they had now reached the garden-gate,
and without another word he left her.
Half an hour later, Frank came in.
lis dinner ready? Where is Colonel
Hopkins, mother?" were his first ques-
lions.
Now, though the pretty widow had
bathed her eyes and used all the little
arts of the toilet, with which women
are so adept in concealing the traces Of
their emotions, there yet fingered in
Mrs. Besant's face tell-tale sign of
sorrow that caught her sons attention
In q moment.
Mother" he said, putting his arm
around her waist, there is something
wrong. Where has the Colonel gomez"
81 am afraid he has left us-perhaps
he is at the hotel-there is no train
North till this evening"" was the in
coherent answer, while the lady's
cheeks blushed furiously.
''Gone to the hotel! Have you and he
been quarreling9"
"No."
mot quarreling but not agreeing,
perhaps? Now, darling mam"-very
coaxingly-''youa and are little moro
than mother and son, for we have been
boon companions ever since I can re-
member, then is it not little late in
the day for one Of us to have a secret
which the other can not share?"
A fond pressure of the hand was his
reply.
''HRve you no secret, then?"
mot one you ought to know"
'Nor one ought not to know, am
sure. Forgive me II I seem abrupt,
darling mother, but has Colonel Hop
lkins asked you to be his wife?"
eyes, Frank" The answer was in q
tone scarce above a whisper.
"And you said?"
ST said No. Frank"
because you did not love him?"
'"That is not fair question. You
really must content yourself with your
own love adventures, Frank, without
interfering with the indiscretions of
your elders"
She tried hard to get up light laugh,
but 1t was failure.
Mother, you must answer me"
"What shall sayp"
1.-THE truth"
"Now, suppose had told him 'Yes;'
what would you have said?"
THAT you were lucky woman and
Q happy man. All, mother, you do not
know the real worth of the man you've
turned away"
''Oh, Frank
ST say" he continued, hotly, ''you
don't know what gentle, lovable,
pure, brave, honorable man he is-the
noblest fellow ever met, except my
father"
"Iknow it, Frank!' the widow sighed,
with such conviction that light dawned
on her sons doubts.
"Ah! you do love him, after alp"
"Wel, perhaps-really, Frank-you
are odious to-day-but I will confess
that think the Colonel"
'Spare your bushes, mamsie!" Frank
cried, gleefully, ''for am of to bring
him back" And before she could in
terpose he was gone.
Mrs. Besant was in pretty state of
dismay at her sons impetuosity. She
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