Evening journal., 1892-11-16
A W0MAN'S ADVICE.

For two whole years Captain Jump
son had been the idol of the spinsters Of
Bunborough-by-the-Sea. Cheery, good
natured and good looking, his private
means were limited, if they existed at
all. and his pay was insufficient to en-
able him to indulge any Of those ex-
pensive tastes which lure young men
from the milder delights of tea and
tennis. lie neither hunted in winter
nor played polo in summer, and he was
always ready TO dance half the night at
the Bunborough balls. He really was
very nice man indeed, every one agreed
that he would make very nice husband
for any one Of the young ladies Of Bun
borough TO whom he might finally de-
termii.e TO offer himself, and for two
years he distributed his favors freely,
! but with almost absolute impartiality.
"Thore is safety In numbers and the
towards know it, f" said Miss Grayson, of
the Valley cottage, TO Maud Oakley,
who had been unburdening her soul TO
| her Miss Grayson was the kindest Of
elderly ladies where young peoples love
affairs were concerned, and Maud Oak
ley had lSnown her since she Maud, not
Miss Grayson) was baby. "CowardsW
said Miss Grayson again under breath,
and Miss Oakley shifted deprecatingly.
She had been talking to Miss Grayson
for an hour, and had told her sympa-
thetic listener a good deal that was, in
the language Of the vulgar, stale
news"
Miss Grayson was quite aware lall
Bunborough might have told her) that
Captain Jumpison had quite recently
shown a distinct preference for the Oak
ley family. He dined there whenever
he was asked and had won General Oak
ley's confidence by delicately expressing
unbounded belief in his stories-not al
ways an easy task; he had been most at
tentive to old Mrs. Oakley during sup
per time at several balls, and his visits
to the house for o'clock tea had not
been limited by invitations issued to
him or confined TO those occasions when
General and Mrs Oakley were at home;
but there were two Miss Oalleys, and
to which Of them Captain Jumpison in
tended his attentions to be devoted was
q question which BunhOrough-hy blythe
Sea would have liked 10 have answered.
It was not strange, however, that the
public were puzzled when Maud Oakley
had had to confess to Miss Grayson that
she had no very distinct idea whether
her sister Geraldine or herself was pre-
ferred by the man to whom she had un-
reservedly lost her heart, though she ad-
mitted she had her fears.
"Geraldine has Dr. Coverdale," said
Maud. "She would be quite happy
with him."
"Quite So" said Miss Grayson. "Il
never rains but it pours."
Maud wondered whether it had ever
"poured" with suitors in Miss Cray
sons young days and said nothing.
Cant we make DR.. Coyerdalo pro
? pose to her?' said Miss Grayson
"And Geraldine accept himy" added
Nfaud doubtfully. Miss Grayson wa
q determined looking old lady, but ever
, she seemed to consider the project i'm
practicable.
"Did you ever try boohoo with an,
oneg said Miss Grayson.
l "Whatg said Maud.
"Boohoo, b0ohoo, boohoov cried Mis-
= Grayson excitedly, and an elderly lad
e who had selected the precise moment Il
Q be announced by Miss Graysons prettl
; little parlor maid very nearly turne,
and fed. She came in, however, an,
+ her impression that Miss Grayson ha'
+ zone demented was confirmed by th
apparently imbecile laughter with whicl
her greeting was received.
Maud rose to leave, and Miss Grayson
. who had recovered her presence of min'
e sufficiently to inquire after her new Wis
c itors husband (ho had been dead seye
. years., accompanied her to the fron
: door.
, "Don't YOU understand, you sill
o childg she said. kissing her affectionate
s. " on the doorstep. "Cry, cry, cry You
n eyes ont; not one Of the wretches in
II bakers dozen of them can stand tears.
/ And the kind old lady returned to pacif
u a Justly indignant widow, while Mis-
u Oakley walked home with a light breal
d ing slowly in on her as she pondered IA
IS somewhat enigmatical advice she la
W received.
s. Meanwhile Captain Jumpison wa
stirling down the fiinty road leadin
from tho barracks to Bunborough as
he trod on air. He scarcely knew ho'
K he had transferred himself from uniforl
rs TO his newest mufti, but between b
ae beating heart and the tweed coat whic
e formed its outernost covering he coul
ht feel the communication which had thi
ne afternoon altered the course Of his cares
I'd forever. Son her majesiy's service"
p had arrived, and "on her majesty's SER
ve ice" it informed him he was expected
n l proceed forthwith to somewhat distai
portion of her dominions, where, in T
turn for a salary exceeding his wilde
dreams. he was to perform duties rs
which he still felt vague. But th'
et probably included the dispensation