Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-06-16
OLD POINT EPISODE.

If there is one spot in the world where
people ought % be agreeable it is at Old
Point Comfort. In the winter, of course
But If there is one place where the angu-
larities and acidities OF human nature are
accumulated it is at this fashionable sea
side resort
This was the conclusion that Colonel
Maxwell arrived at half an hour after his
name was added TO the list of the guests
quartered at the Hygeia, which everybody
knows has an unrivaled repute, and-well,
an unrivaled repute. The hotel is large,
roomy and comfortable, and as thousands
well know is in perfect harmony with the
great, solemn sounding sea as the best
architectural achievements one encounters
the world over. An admirable continuance
to swallow up the individualities and eX-
ira allowances Oft liberal race of travellers.
The colonel had no sooner set foot in his
room than he wished he had gone to Flor
ida. Just outside his door dog snarled
at him. Dogs were his aversion. If he
had been less considerable he would have
kicked the dog aside; instead he exclaimed
angrily, Get out of NJ way!' and passed
into his room. At that instant little
child appeared in the hall She looked mt
the colonel with solemn big blue eyes
so solemn that the colonel's firm mouth
relaxed as he glanced at her Then he
closed his door with a snap.
simultaneously a door almost Opposite,
and trifie ajar, was opened wide, and
lady beckoned the child in an imperious
manner. The child obeyed the silent man
date, was drawn into the room and the
door of No. OF closed with a bang
Half an hour later the door of No. O3
opened, the colonel emerged, and rs before
dOg-the same he encountered as he entered
his room, seemed to rise up out of the floor in
his path. And again, as before. the colonel
exclaimed, angr-ly, Get out of my way,
you nuisanceW Upon which the dog dis
appeared-dissolred into air. apparently,
as the colonel's attention was attracted to
the peculiar manner of the child he OBJ
served half an hour earlier and who now
vainly endeavorei to conceal her doll as
she walked back ward, recoiling from him
shyly but surely. Again, as before the
door of o. opened, the child darted into it
sidewise and the door closed with a signifi-
cant snap.
The colonel's friends were in the habit
OF saying that it was n great pity. consid-
ering how much nature had done for him
in the way of features figure complexion
and voice that he took so little pains to
much reason there was for this high esti-
mate l leave the reader to judge.
When the colonel was seated mt the din
ner table he found himself opposite the
child that had attracted his attention in
the hall. He was passOnately fond of
children-a man who tossed up caressed
| and crOwed over babies in secret. This
child's beauty was so rare that he sat star
ing at her unwittingly, until her manner
recalled him to himself; then he chided
himself for discon certing her. He glanced
at the lady beside her-a brilliant bru-
nette. Finely panciled eyebrows, suf
ficient in themselves to stock beauty; a
| neck that was a marvel, and the head
how exquisitely modelled, how fine the
lines of that head
Meantime, the beauty flashed glance
at the colonel. 1t comprehended the en-
| tire outer man-sne measured the inner
man two hours earlier in the day. As the
colonel intercepted the glance he actually
| blushed, while tie brunette apparently
was unaware that she and her charge were
not the sole occupa nts of the table.
"Odd," thought The colonel
Two hours later Mrs. General Ollapod
beamed upon the brilliant brunette as she
met her with outstretched hands.
my dear, have surprise for you. My
particular friend, Colonel Maxwell, is here
Now don't put me out by being Indifferent
after the times have planned to bring you
| together"
| From which it may be inferred that
whatever military genius or talent was in
the Ollapod household Mrs. Ollapod did
not share it. The beauty smiled
1.-THE discouragementsy you have encouu n
tered, Mrs Ollapod, almost justifies the
haf IND
| your plans"
Providence has nothing to do with it.
l have asked him to join my party this
evening. He is graceful dancer-such a
fine figure on the floor, and"-
you forget; have not danced for year
or more"
"You will, to please me, Grace; have
set my heart on it. By the way, the colonel
is your neighbor. de occupies O3 in the
west wing"
THAT odious manp The tone as well
as the manner in which this was said cleo
trified Mrs. General Ollapod.
'1-I-my dear, beg your pardon,
| butt
"Mrs. Ollapod, l do not care to tell even
| you how he has blended me. Nothing
under heaven can ever induce me to add
Colonel Maxwell to my list of acquaint-
| ances."
Mrs. General Ollap amazement was
inexpressible; her modification pathetic.
After scheming years in the misdirected
manner in which the best of friends often
| distinguish themselves, to encounter unex-
| pectedly an intangible but none the less in
surmountable obstacle, brought tears to
her eyes.
II don't see any use sniveling about It