Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-12-29


The Major then proceeded to a me-
dunn sized room in the front Of the
house, which he called his reading room.
It isn't study, said he, ~for never
study, and it isn't library, for it hash {
books enough for that, but it is as good
room to read in as I know. A fine
light. and always cool in summer-there
is the picture, and he held up a lamp
before one OF my large landscapes.
thought Burnett owned thatl" I ex-
claimed.
yes, he did, but he's been hard up
lately, and had to sell of part of his
collection. I snapped up that as soon
as 1 saw it. There are things in that
picture that you seldom see in paintings.
That's timothy grass in that meadow,
and cut about the end of June would
make hay worth about $40 a ton. It g
ready to cut now" said he, and from
the looks of the leaves on the trees.
and the size of those mullen plants, I
should say it was in June that you took
it.
II made my studies in June. I said.
Good, he cried; Il knew it, There
is no nonsense about that meadow, such
as you would see in most pictures. No
bushes and struggling briars, or patches
OF RED clover and orchard grass. I am
a straightforward and practical man
and like a straightforward and practi-
cal picture. OF course you couldn't
help the daisies, and no more can I in
my own meadows.
Now, then, said he, when we were
again before the fire, you can see for
yourself how know you, and can tell
you that it delights me to have in my
house the man who painted that picture.
After a while I'll brew bowl of regents
punch. But it isn't late enough for
that. Wen have bachelar night of it.
BY next Christmas 1 suppose the young
lady will put a veto on bachelor nights.
Victor" said I. What do you mean?"
You will surely be married by next
Christmas, he replied.
Married." I exclaimed with laugh,
we have never thought of being mar
The Major took his cigar from his
mouth, put his hands upon his knees,
leaned forward and looked at me.
Do you mean to say, sir, that you
and Miss Weldon are not engaged to be
married."
Not at ALL" said I. I'VE have known
each other long time, but we are
friends and nothing more"
We'll, I'll be hanged" cried Major
Pendallas, throwing away his cigar and
rising abruptly from his chair. Then
standing with his back to the fire he
looked down upon me.
How 1 am disappointed I surely
thought you two were team, and fine
one. had made up my mind 10 it, and
now I am set back. I feel as if 1 were
driving big Percheron and polo pony.
I'm a practical, common sense man,
and don't mind asking practical, com
nonsense questions I have done that
all my life, and though have made a
good many people mad, it has always
been better for me in the end. Now,
would you mind telling me if that young
woman is engaged to somebody else, or
if you are? Don't get angry. If any
body Is angry I ought to be-"
was not in the least offended. There
was an impetuous but kindly earnest
ness about the man which impressed me
very agreeably. There are some people
whose liberties are pleasant rather than
otherwise; the Major was one of those
people.
L am not engaged, I said, with a
smile, and have no reason to believe
that she is.
Major Pendallas thrust his hands into
his trousers pockets, strolled to the end
OF the large room, and then, turning,
came back and sat down.
1 believe, said he, that the man
who lives alone does more thinking to
the minute than ether people. When
she was pouring out the coffee tonight,
and you were landing your cup to her,
and both of you were laughing at the
sugar, stopped eating and said to my
self, That is as perfect match as
ever saw And in regard to human
beings it is very seldom that think
that. And now you turn around and
tell me that you and she go single"
could not help laughing at the seri-
GUS way in which he discussed the sub
ject.
Ut an so-,1y 70 liseo,,o;,,4 -, y Ill
l, but Miss Weldon and 1 are not mar
ryinP people. For myself, cannot af-
ford matrimony."
That's what once thought, " he said,
and for thirty-five years have re-
GREETED that 1 was foolish enough to |
think so"
1t was plain that my host was man
of nervous temperament. He could not |
sit still while considering the subject, |
evidently of deep interest to him. He |
now rose, folded his arms, and looked /
at me steadily for fully minute AS /
he gaZed at me his eyes seemed to grow
brighter and larger.
1t was my intention to make bust
ness proposition to you, founded on
what you and Miss Weldon said about
this part of the country and how much
you liked it. I considered it one of the
happiest thoughts I had ever had"
What was it?" I asked, a good deal
amused, but careful not to show it. Il
shall be glad to hear it, whether can
accept it or not.
All right" said the Major, seating
himself with decision; you shall have
t. I will make the proposition in the
,ommon-sense, straightforward manner
n which I intended to mako it. For
,ver ten months I have been kicking
md Tuning at being obliged to live
lere in this lonely house. Tonight
'aid to myself. over and over again,
What would I give if these two would
,at all their meals with me; would come
lere and live in this house?' And then
said, Why shouldn't they? He's
landscape painter. and they would want
o live somewhere in the country, and
re not likely to find any place more
beautiful than this. Now, perhaps that's
ust what they want, and what they are
ooking for, and the best thing you can
10 is to make them an offer without loss