Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-09-22

'Is your father such a terrible old
gentleman, then? What is he like? /
have never seen him."
"No, l don't suppose you have.
He fights shy of anything with apetti-
coat on it. I've known him cut a
good run short because there were
ladies alone with him in the same
field, and he was afraid that in case
of accident he'd have to assist them.
He's a tall old fellow, with fresh
complexion and a gray mustache, and
always wears Shepherds plaid
trousers, summer and winte:. Why,
what's the natter"
ooh, dear! Oh, dear! Don't go on.
Gus, please don't, or I shall die OF
laughter"
"Why what is there to laugh at,
Millicent? BY Jove, if you saw him in
q temper you would not laugh"
"Why my dear Gus-he's-he's in
love with mel"
"'The old boy-my father-in love
with you! Nonsense, my dear, none
sense, 1 say! Why, he's more afraid
OF girl than of an earthquake or a
Demonstration or anything. What
upon earth makes you imagine that
he is in love with you, Miller
"Why every day when l come along
here he is walking in the garden. I've
always supposed him to be the steward
or some one. And he makes such eyes
at me! Oh, you'd laugh if you could
SET him. I try not to, but | know I
blush and look awfully silly"
"By Jove, Mile, it's no laughing
matter-that it isn't. A mans iather
his rival in love!"
That evening Mr.. Gus appeared at
home ut an unusually early hour.
"Well," was the greeting of his
parent, "you are not here so prec-
ious early with that good-by face for
nothing, Pm sure, you young scamp!
When you turn up punctually to
dinner [ know you want something
out OF ME. But mind-not another
half-penny do you get. I've already
advanced your quarters allowance,
and if you've been squandering it on
actresses and race-m meetings and I'M
limited loo and dinners at Bristol l
won't help you. And not only that,
sir, but Pm going to put q stop to it.
Once for all-and Augustus Chopleigh
is q man of his world don't care if
Stulty or Golding or Moses or any of
them come down and dun you at this
very door, not a rupee do you get out
of me-"
"What a deuce OF hurry your in,
father; I don't want money from
YOU" said the young man.
II = H. &c
asked the old gentleman, seeing that
his son looked confused.
"Why-well, Pm in love, that's ALL"
replied Gus. "And I'm going to be
married to the best girl in England
a perfect lady, we'll bred, we'll connect
ed and"
The effect OF this speech upon the
old colonel was electrical. He jumped
up from his end of the table, almost
upset Parker, who was handing him
the chilies, rushed toward his son and
shook his hand heartily, his face beam
ing with excitement and pleasure, as
he exclaimed:
you're sure OF what you say? It
isn't Fifine OF the Jollity, hey? A lady
well bred, we'll connected"
"Tve been bit of a scamp, per-
haps, father" said the young man,
"but I've never gone in for low form;
SO, when I tell you she's all that
could be wished, you must believe
me-"
"Of course I will; of course dol"
roared the colonel. "Who is she?"
"Well, don't want ogive her name
just now for many reasons, but you
may take my word for it that she's
to be ashamed Of" said Gus.
"All right; all right; I won't ask any
more questions. So long as you are
going to steady down with a good,
ladylike wife l don't care" said his
father. "By CAD, Gus, thought you
were going to be milestone round my
neck for theremainder ofmy life. And
now, my boy, you've astonished me,
so I'm going to astonish you. What
do you think is about the most I'M
likely thing should do?"
"Give up hunting" replied Gus, cor
sell your orchids, or put up for the
"No, no; nothing THAT kind" said
the colonel, chuckling. "Tm-Im
going to be married too"
The son affected the greatest aston
ishment. The colonel continued:
"But look here, my boy; 1t won't
interfere with your prospects, and
when I say Pm going to be married, I
mean that I have my eve on some
one, and rather think, ahem! that
some one has reciprocal eye on me.
l am not such an old bird, eh?"
''Not bit of it," replied Gus, "and
may ask who the fortunate object
of your attention is?"
'Well," answered the colonel, laugh
ing, give good mind not to tell you,
you dog, as you keep me in the dark
about your inamorata. But will.
Do you know Miss Vanjohn?"
."rall girl, brown hair, brown'eyes!"
asked Gus, innocent]y.
eyes, yes; that's the one! She's 60
ing to be Mrs. Chopleigh the second"
said the colonel, rubbing his hands
gleefully. 81 think-ahem! that if I
can screw up my pluck shall speak
to her tomorrow"
That evening the Rev. Aloysius Van
Sr,hY, I'd