The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-16

suppose, SAID the old cab driver at the
station, whom Charlie Blossom had re-
membered ever since he was o child.
"Well, L declare shouldn't hardly have
knoweG We! And come home to be mar
ried, eh?"
Blesson bit his lips, but he laughed
cNselcs 'ly. Jonas Hopper was u privi-
legged individual, like the court testers
of old.
How did you know, Hopper
"Oh, | dunno. Miss Hartford, she's
been gettin ready to be married this
long time" said Jonas, hosting the
coloneTs luggage on the back of the
wagon "And dressmakers and MILL
hers they will talk, you know, though
I'm told Miss Hal took great pains tc
hide it."
Ibid she?" aside: "The darlingy)
"And a fine woman she is, colonel, :"
officiously added Jonas, as he pushed in
tho last iron clamped trunk. "a very
fine woman, considerin her age. Won
der she amt married long ago"
Colonel Blossom opened his sleepy black
eyes wide.
"Why, man, who in the world are you
talking about"
"Why, Miss Hal Hartford, to be sure. :"
"Miss Halcyon or Miss Halliana?"
"There amt no Miss Halliana," said
Jonas. They're both the same name,
but we calls the aunt Miss Hal and the
niece Miss Halcyon. My daughter, she's
lady's maid there, and I'd orter know, if
any one does"
"And which of them is it that is go
ing to be married." breathlessly oueried
Blossom.
why, the old un, in coursel Beg
pardon" hurriedly added Jonas, 81
mean Miss Hal. Polly, she tells me
there's twenty-four different gownds or.
dered, let alone the jackets and parasols
and ten button kid gloves fit to make
your hair stand on end"
"And Miss Halcyon-the young laiy,'
cried the colonel; "she is engaged too"
mot as any one knows on. That
all, colonel: Got your telescope bagi
Then we'd better be movin"
Colonel Blossom pondered seriously all
the way upto Hartford Cedars, oblivious
of Jonas incessant streams of talk,
Could it be possible? No; that was utter
nonsense! And yeti
He strained his eyes rs he approached
the house. Surely golden haired Hal.
cyon would DO there, smiling, to meet
him!
But no. In her place stood middle.
aged charmer, rouged and powdered,
with hair cleaning meretriciously and
teeth just a size too largo for u thin
Tipped mouth
In one hand she held his breath
ing letter, in the other his photograph.
And during that second her heart sank
like lead.
He did not know-ah, how much
more difficult would it have been to
bear had he known!-that Halcyon
Hartford's eyes were surreptitiouslv
watching him from the honeysuckle
garlanded easement beyond.
Dear Charles" the elderly damsel
said, you are here at lastr
He set his teeth, drew one long breath
and allowed her to slip caressing hand
through his arm and lead him into the
house, lnuttering some hoarse acknowl-
edgment of her coQuettish smiles.
I've brought this upon myself" he
thought, land l must endure it. The
lady is not to blame-no, she is not to
blame"
"He is a hero" Halcyon thought;
Eyes, a hero"
And then she burst into passion of
tears and ran up stairs to her room.
But now I've got you fairly here"
lisped Aunt Hal, more determinedly
youthful than ever. I'm really afraid
dearest Charles, that there's great dis
appointment in store for YOU"
"Eh?"
The young man had sat down in a
rather lHtless manner. Aunt Hal held
onto his hand, still all teeth and smiles.
"And l may as we'll tell you Mt once"
said she, that I'm already engaged to
Judge Flostroy, of the superior court.
Of Course, if l had known of your at
tachnent in time, there's no sayingr-
ooh, pray don't let me interfere with
any existing arrangements" said Bles-
son, jumping UP eagerly. "Perhaps I'M
der the circumstances you will let me
have my photograph back"
Just then there came ring at the
door below as the maid announced:
Judge Flostroy, miss, if you please"
Before the slow and ponderous steps
OF the approaching visitor could reach
the room Aunt Hal had thrust the photo
graph into Blossoms hand.
"A-hem-m!" generously coughed the
luminary of the superior court.
Aunt Hal tripped smilingly forward.
Glad to see you, judge she cooed.
"This is my old playmate, Colonel Bles-
son, just arrived from India. | dare
say, colonel, you'll find Halcyon some
where about the house."
Disposed of in short order" muttered
Colonel Blossom. "Great heavens! what
have done to deserve such luck?"