Smyrna times., 1892-04-27
OLD POINT COMFORT.

If there is one spot in the world
where people ought to be agreeable
it is at Old Point Comfort. In the
winter, of course. but if there is
one place where the angularities aud
incidities of human natures are accen-
tuated it is at this fashionable seaside
resort.
II is was the conclusion that Col.
Maxwell arrived at half an hour after
his name was added to the list of guests
quartered at the Hygeia, which every
body knows has an unrivalled repute.
and-well, an unriValled repute. The
hotel is large, rOOmy, and comfortable,
and as thousands we'll know, is in per-
feet harmony with the great, solemn
sounding sea as the best architectural
achievements one encounters the world
over. An admirable contrivance to
swallow up the individualities and
extra allowances of liberal race OF
travellers.
The colonel had no sooner set foot
in his room than he wished he had
gone to Florida. Just outside his door
dog snarled at him Dogs were his
aversion. If he had been less consid
crate he would have kicked the dog
aside; instead he exclaimed angrily,
Get out of my way ~ and passed into
his room. At that instant little child
appeared in the hall.
She looked at the colonel with sol.
emn big blue eyes-so solemn that the
cOlOnel's firm mouth relaxed as he
glanced at her. Then he closed the
door with snap.
simultaneously a door almost Oppo-
site, and trif1e ajar, was opened wide,
and lady beckOned the child in an
imperious manner. The child Obeyed
the silent mandate, was drawn into the
room and the door of No. 40, closed
with a bang.
Half an hour later the door of No.
30 opened, the colonel emerged, and
as before dOg--the same he encoun-
tered as he entered his room, seemed
to rise up out of the floor in his path.
And again, as before, the colonel ex-
claimed angrily, Get out of my way,
you nuisance ~ Upon which the dog
disappeared -dissOlving into air, APP
parently. as the coloneI's attention was
attracted to the peculiar manner of the
child he observed half an hour earlier
and who now vainly endeavOred to
conceal her doll as she walked back
ward, recoiling from him shyly but
surely. Again, as before, the door of
40 opened, the child darted into it side
wise and the door closed with a signifi.
cant snap.
The colOnels friends were in the
habit of saying that it was a great pity,
considering how much nature had
done for him in the way of features,
figure, complexion and voice that he
took SO little pains to display his ad-
mirable qualities. How much reason
there was for this high estimate l leave
the reader to Judge.
When the colonel was seated at the
dinner table he found himself opposite
the child that had attracted his atten-
tion in the hall. He was passiOnately
fond of children-a man who tossed up,
caressed and crowded over babies in
secret. This child's beauty was so
rare that he sat staring at her unwit-
tlngly, until her manner recalled him
to himself; then he chided himself for
disconcerting her. He glanced at the
lady beside her-a brilliant brunette.
Finely penciled eyebrows, sufficient in
themselves to stock a beauty; a neck
that was a marvel, and the head, how
exquisitely modelled, how fine the
lines of that head
Meantime, the beauty flashed a
glance at the colonel. IL cOmprehen-
ded the entire outer man-she meas
nred the inner man two hours earlier
in the day. AS the colonel intercepted
the glance he actually blushed, while
the brunette apparently was unaware
that she and her charge were not the
soul occupants of the table,
Odd, thought the colonel.
Two hours later Mrs. General OLA
pod beamed upon the brilliant bru.
nette as she met her with oustretched
hands.
My dear, have surprise for you.
My particular friend, Colonel Maxwell
is here. Now don't put me out by be-
log 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 househould, Mrs.
Ollapod did not share it. The beauty
smiled.
The discouragements you have en-
countered, Mrs. Ollapod almost justify
the opinion that Providence does not
indorse your plans.
Providence had nothing to do with
1t. | have asked him to Join my party
this evening. He is a graceful dancer
fine figures on the floor, and
You forget | have not danced for a
year or more.
You will, to please me, Grace; /
have set my heart on it. By the way,
the colonel is your neighbor. He oc-
cupies 30 In the west wing.
That Odious man The tone we'll as
the manner in which this was said
electrified Mrs. General Ollapod.
1-I-my dear, / beg your pardon,